No need for further restrictions on puberty blockers: open statement

In November 2024, the coalition government signalled that they are considering restrictions to puberty blocker medications for trans children, and those questioning their gender. They directed the Ministry of Health to consult the public on potential regulations under the Medicines Act, including whether access to this medication should be severely limited - but only for children who want to use it to delay puberty to avoid their body changing in ways that do not align with their gender.

As organisations and groups that serve trans communities, our shared position is that there must be no additional restrictions on puberty blockers. No regulations should be developed. This issue of access to essential medicine should not be open to public debate.

The Ministry of Health’s own evidence does not show a need for any restrictions, and the government hasn’t made a case for why they want to restrict access to life-saving healthcare. If there were genuine issues of medical risk, we’d expect to see concerns about all children using this medicine. Instead, the focus on trans children is clearly aimed at undermining their right to make decisions about their own health.

Our groups and organisations all agree that:

There must be no additional restrictions on puberty blockers. No regulations should be developed.
If this issue requires consultation, that consultation process should be closed to just hear from trans children and their supportive whānau, trans communities and community-led organisations, and doctors who work with trans children, not the general public. The timeframe for any consultation must be extended. There is no way for the Ministry of Health to undertake consultation safely and effectively within two months, over the summer break.
If the Ministry of Health continues to engage an External Advisory Group to provide strategic advice about gender-affirming healthcare, this group must be reconstituted to include transgender lived expertise, and a broad and holistic knowledge of trans health and gender-affirming healthcare for all ages. A group providing strategic advice about transgender healthcare must include transgender people and appropriate expertise.
The Ministry of Health and responsible Ministers must understand and reflect on the ways that their actions in turning this issue into a public debate are contributing to suicidality, distress and harm for young people.
The government should fund the health system adequately to ensure that there is adequate and timely access to puberty blockers, hormone therapies and a full range of gender-affirming healthcare options in every region.

For more information about this issue, see our resources page on the puberty blocker review.

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