The Government has confirmed new restrictions on the prescribing of puberty blockers, saying the changes are designed to provide stronger safeguards while ensuring people who need the medication for recognised medical conditions can continue to access treatment.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said Cabinet has agreed to tighter controls on gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues after the Ministry of Health’s evidence brief found significant limitations in the quality of evidence on their use for gender dysphoria or incongruence.

Under the new regulations, which mirror steps taken in the United Kingdom, new patients will no longer be able to start puberty blockers for gender dysphoria until the completion of a clinical trial underway overseas.

The change does not affect people already receiving treatment.

Brown said the medication plays an important role in treating conditions including early onset puberty, endometriosis, and prostate cancer, where there is strong clinical evidence of benefit. He said the aim is to give families confidence that any treatment is clinically sound and in the best interests of young people.

Current youth gender services will remain in place, with the Government directing officials to connect families with healthcare professionals who have specialist expertise and bring information together on a central online resource.

The Ministry of Health’s evidence brief, released in November 2024, confirmed there had been no change in the overall body of evidence on the treatment over the past year. The findings are consistent with the Cass Review in the United Kingdom, which reported considerable uncertainty about the long term safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria.

The United Kingdom is establishing a clinical trial to address those evidence gaps. Cabinet has agreed New Zealand’s settings will be reviewed once the trial results are available.

The changes take effect on 19 December 2025.