In November 2025, the coalition government announced that they are planning to ban puberty blocker medications for trans people.
There is no medical justification for this ban, which will harm trans children and adults, and children who are questioning their gender. This is a decision made by politicians and not doctors. It was clearly influenced by overseas conservative movements, seeking to build political popularity by feeding hatred towards trans people. We condemn this decision and the political strategy behind it.
This page shares resources about puberty blockers, the government’s decisions about this, and some of the efforts we’re aware of to challenge the ban.
Challenges to the ban
We support a range of actions to challenge this ban, including:
PATHA’s legal challenge seeking an urgent injunction to block the ban
The ActionStation petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” by Lauren Craig & Ngahuru Autumn Brown
Community-led protests including Block the Ban and protests planned for December 19th
Resources for responding
Official information about the government’s review and ban
The government’s media release about the ban, regulations, and updated regulations to limit the ban to children and adolescents, since the initial ban accidentally included trans people of all ages.
The Ministry of Health’s media release, evidence brief and position statement about the review, and the consultation form.
About puberty blockers
What are puberty blockers? What is gender affirming care? - a simple explanation
Information sheets on puberty blockers from local researchers at Project Village
Identify survey findings on young people’s views about puberty blockers in Aotearoa, including benefits and unmet need
Statements and stories about the ban
Ban on puberty blockers serious human rights infringement - statement by the Human Rights Commission
Statements from health bodies: Paediatric Society of New Zealand, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, New Zealand Society of Endocrinology, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Te Ora: Māori Medical Practitioners, Te Kāhui Korowai Rangatahi - Youth Health Aotearoa. Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa, New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
Government Overreach in Healthcare with Puberty Blockers Decision - statement by the Rainbow Support Collective
Puberty blockers: why politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent - analysis by Jaimie Veale
Government halts new puberty blocker prescriptions – Expert Reaction - responses from local experts, published by the Science Media Centre
The overwhelmingly positive experiences of trans youth on puberty blockers - analysis of Identify survey results by Julia de Bres and John Fenaughty
NZ Right-Wing Government Bans Puberty Blockers: "Sacrificing A Generation Of Trans Youth" and “We’re taking this to court”: Doctors Are Fighting New Zealand’s Puberty Blocker Ban - international coverage by Erin Reed of Erin in the Morning
Submissions on the public consultation
Our Te Ngākau Kahukura submission on the consultation on safety measures for the use of puberty blockers in young people with gender-related health needs
Transgender children deserve access to healthcare - submission by Jennifer Shields
A poem for TDoR by Jennifer Shields, reflecting on the consultation process
Submission from the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA)
Submission from Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission
Submission from the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
Submission guides:
Submission guide for puberty blocker restrictions from InsideOUT Kōaro
How To: Submit in favour of gender-affirming care - a submission guide for the puberty blocker review
How you can stand up for trans kids being targeted by this government - submission guide from Emily Writes
We made a short submission guide that suggests five key points.
Statements to the public consultation
No need for further restrictions on puberty blockers: open statement from Te Ngākau Kahukura and other organisations and groups that serve trans communities
Health Professional Bodies Oppose Restrictions on Puberty Blockers - public statement from a range of health bodies on the need for evidence-based access to healthcare
Gender-affirming care affects a small minority – so why the public consultation? - opinion piece by Jennifer Shields
Gender Minorities Aotearoa analysis on the puberty blocker review
‘She knew before she could read’: The reality of raising a trans child - a parent’s experience
Queer Endurance In Defiance’s full Statement On The Proposed Restriction Of Puberty Blockers
Speak Up On Puberty Blockers To Protect Our Trans And Non-Binary Rangatahi - statement from Labour Rainbow Spokesperson, MP Shanan Halbert
Puberty blocker evidence brief affirms Aotearoa’s approach - statement from the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa