Health professionals, health organisations and community organisations are concerned by the delay of the publication of the updated clinical Guidelines for Gender Affirming Care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Health professionals are asking for updated guidance on providing appropriate and safe healthcare to transgender and non-binary patients.
In 2023 Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora contracted the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) to update the 2018 guidelines for gender affirming healthcare. It is standard practice for guidelines to be periodically updated to ensure their content is kept up to date. PATHA submitted the updated guidelines in October 2024 and they followed the standard process for publication of a clinical guideline, including approval from Te Whatu Ora’s National Clinical Governance Group, and were also approved by Te Whatu Ora's Executive Leadership Team.
The evidence-based guidelines, which have been peer reviewed by clinicians with expertise in this care from within New Zealand and internationally, cover a wide range of topics relevant to transgender and non-binary health and wellbeing, including new chapters on creating inclusive healthcare environments, non-medical gender affirmation options, and more. The small section within this comprehensive document relating to prescribing puberty blockers aligns with the Ministry of Health’s position statement on this care and supports safe prescribing for young people.
The guidelines were due for publication at the end of March 2025. We are aware that in the days beforehand, an FYI was sent to the Minister and Associate Minister of Health. Less than 24 hours before the date of publication, there was an unnecessary, indefinite and unexplained delay in the publication of these clinical guidelines. We believe this is due to unprecedented and inappropriate political interference. Delays in releasing these guidelines impacts on the ability to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes for the transgender and non-binary population. The undersigned call on the government to allow Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to publish the updated Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand immediately.
Add your name to the letter here.
Signatories:
Medical bodies:
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
College of Child and Youth Nurses | Tapuhitia Ngā Mokopuna Mō Apōpō
General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ)
The Paediatric Society of NZ | Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa
New Zealand Association of Counsellors
New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
New Zealand College of Primary Health Care Nurses
New Zealand Medical Students Association
New Zealand Nurses Organisation | Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa
New Zealand Psychological Society
New Zealand Sexual Health Society
New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association
New Zealand Society of Endocrinology
New Zealand Women in Medicine Charitable Trust
Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa
Rainbow Otago Medical Students Association (ROMSA)
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
Other organisations:
Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand
Adhikaar Aotearoa
Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers Collective
Auckland Pride
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
Gender Minorities Aotearoa
He Kāinga Ora
Identify Survey
InsideOUT Kōaro
Intersex Aotearoa
Manuwatū Lesbian and Gay Rights Association
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Moana Vā
New Zealand Parents and Guardians of Transgender and Gender Diverse Children
Ōtautahi Christchurch Pride
Pride Whanganui
Queerly Legal
Rainbow Auckland
Rainbow Focus
Rainbow Hub Waikato
Rainbow Path
RainbowYOUTH
Rights Aotearoa
School of Health staff, Victoria University of Wellington
Te Kahukura Puāwai
Te Ngākau Kahukura
The Trans Heart Health Project
Tu Ora Compass Health
Qtopia
Q Youth Nelson
Village Collective
Health services:
Anamata clinic Taupō
Aramoho Health Centre
Awhi and Aroha Consultancy
Birth Rite Midwives
Evolve Wellington Youth Service
Gender Care at Tamatea Medical Centre
Gender Care Whanganui
Gender Dynamix
Henderson Counselling & Guidance Services
Hutt Union and Community Health Service
Mauri Ora, Student Health & Counselling
Number 10 Southland Youth One Stop Shop
OutLine Aotearoa
Ranpsych PTY Ltd
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Sparrow Consults
Te Aro Health Centre
Te Tahi Youth
University of Otago, Student Health Services
Vibe Youth Health Service
Whangarei Youth Space
Whatever Whanganui - The Youth Health Place
Youth Kinex - Masterton Medical Youth Clinic
Individuals:
Roni Alder, Clinical Psychologist
Beckie Alexander, BHealthSci, Women's Health Coach
Grace Allen, Speech Language Pathologist
Danaë Anderson, PhD
Krystle Anderson
Donna Anderson-Jones
Kristin Antarra, MNZAC
Dr Lauren Antley, MBChB
Verity Armstrong, Masters of Psychotherapy, PBANZ, Waka Oranga
Dr Sue Bagshaw, MB BS FAChSHM FRNZCGP (hon) DNZM
Bethany Baird
Angela Ballantyne, Professor of Bioethics
Scout Barbour-Evans, Rainbow Health Policy Specialist
Dr Jan Barrett, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Revd. Ann Batten, Anglican Priest
Nic Beets, Clinical Psychologist specialising in Relationship & Sex Therapy
Dr Katie Ben, BSc (Hons) MBBS FRCA MBHL
Dr Karen Benattar, MBBS FRNZCGP FAChSHM
Ryan Bentham, BSocSci(Hons) Psychology
Amanda Berkahn, Counsellor, Addiction Practitioner, DAPAANZ NZAC BCAAP
Tabby Besley, Registered Counsellor
Debbie Blake, PhD
Beauregard Blight, Clinical Psychology Student
Dr Alisa Boucsein, PhD, Youth Diabetes Educator
Nathan Bramwell
Sese Bramwell
Dr Penny Brandt, Paediatrician, BA, DO, FRACP
Luca Bree, Master Health Science, Registered Midwife
Madison Bridges, Registered Social Worker
MJ Brodie
Alex Brown, MBChB MS FRCS FEBS FRACS
Jemima Bullock, Registered Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Stephanie Burd, Clinical Social Worker
Dr Marie Burke, General Practitioner, MRCGP(UK) FRNZCGP
Dr Kathy Burt, MBChB, FRACP
Jack Byrne, Honorary Research Fellow and Co-Principal Investigator, Counting Ourselves
Octavia Calder-Dawe, PhD in Health Psychology
Frances Caldwell, Mental Health Facilitator
Dr Sarah Callaghan, MBChB
Chantelle Callagher
Rebecca Campbell, Professor in Physiology, Director of Centre for Neuroendocrinology, PhD
Dr Bex Eliot Canner, General Practitioner
Dr Rona Carroll, General Practitioner, FRNZCGP, MBChB
Dr Emily Cavana, BMBS, BSc, FRNZCGP, PGDipHealSc.
Louise Chan, Mātanga Tapuhi | Nurse Practitioner / Master of Nursing
Georgia Chaplyn, Provisionally Registered Psychologist
Mik Clapson
Kelly Claridge
Dr Dermot Coffey, FRNZCGP
Kathryn Collyns, Public Health Advocate
Dr Glenn Colquhoun, General Practitioner
Joshua Conant
Sheena Conant
Nick Conn, BSc DipPhty, DipMT, CMInstDCMIoD
Rose Cook, Social Worker
Logan Cotter
Amy Couling
Dr Lucy Cowie, Registered Clinical Psychologist, Doctorate of Clinical Psychology
Dr Landi Cranstoun, FRNZCGP
Loren Creedon, LMC Midwife
Dr Sonja Crone, BHB, MBChB, FRACP
Dr Anne-Marie Cullen, MBCHB, FRNZCGP
Emma Currie, Senior Peer Support Specialist
Prof Neal Curtis
Carly Cushman
Dr Charlotte Dale, MBChB
Elle Dagley, Nurse Practitioner
River Dantzler, Peer Support Worker
Shomudro Das, MAppSW
Anny da Silva Freitas, Member of NZAC and Advanced Accredited Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapist, BA Counselling, BA Community Education, Advanced Specialist Diploma - Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Psychotherapy
Sarah Davis
Dr Pauline Dawson, Senior Lecturer, PhD, MMid, RM
Dr Emily Deacon, MbChb, PGDipOMG, PGDipPaed, FRNZCGP
Kiwa Kahukura Denton, Diploma in Youth Work, Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
Zoe Deverick, Clinical Psychologist (PGDipClinPsy, M.Sc, MNZCCP)
Candice de Villiers
Dr Robert de Villiers, MBChB
Andrew Devlin
Nic Dorward, BSW
Elsie Douglas, MCARN
Abby Driver, Psychotherapist
Dr John Dumsday, MBChB FRNZCGP
Elizabeth du Preez, Clinical Psychologist
Nathalie Dussart, Bachelor of Osteopathy
Dr Julia Eddington, MBBS BSc FRNZCGP
Dr Lizi Edmonds, MBChB, FANZCA
Dr Em Edwards, Clinical Psychologist
Emily Eisen, BTch
Rochelle Ellison-Lupena, PhD Māori and Pacific Health
Christina Emery
Christopher Egnot, BSc(hons)
Dr Ekta Escovar MD FRACP (Paeds)
Sarah Eynon
Associate Professor John Fenaughty, PhD
Danielle Fentiman, Counsellor
Dr Indira Fernando, MBChB
Regina Fisher Van Der Veen
Wendy Fletcher, Speech & Language Therapist
Cinder Aurora Forbes-Duthie
Patricia Ford, Registered Psychotherapist, Master in Counselling
Bridget Forsyth
Dr Julian Foster, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Elspeth Fougere, BDes, RMT, SAr
Sandra Fowler, BA, MA(Hons), DipClinPsych. Registered Clinical Psychologist
Brodie Fraser, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Public Health, University of Otago
Gloria Fraser, PhD, MNZCCP
Dr Martin Gardner, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Sarita Gargiulo, RM, BM, MMid
Sue Garrett, Senior Lecturer
Lewis Garton, BSc
Artemis Gaudin, BSc
Dr Madeline Gee, MBChB FRNZCGP
Dr Victoria George, MBBS MRCPCH FRACP
Dr Angela Glew, MA MB BChir FRNZCGP
Isabel Goodhue, Registered Nurse
Brigette Gorman, PhD and PGDipClinPsych
Lee Grabarek, Counsellor (Provisional NZAC), MCouns
Eddy Grant, MSc (psychology) in Nonbinary Identity Development and Wellbeing
Dr Rosie Grant, MBChB
Associate Professor Dr Ben Gray, FRNZCGP(dist) MBChB MBHL
Tessa Green, Nurse Practitioner
Lou Greene-Winters, Counsellor
Sian Gregan, Registered Nurse
Dr Marilyn Griffiths, Specialist General Practitioner, MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP
Dr Bethany Growns, PhD
Nigel Guy, Registered Nurse and Counsellor
Einstein Hale, MEd, PBANZ, DAPAANZ, MAPANZ
Dr Jennifer Hall, BMedSci (Hons); MBChB; DRCOG; MRCGP; FRNZCGP; PGCertWHlth
Scott Hall, BSc
Walter Hamer, Psychologist
Tommy Hamilton, Narrative Therapist
Sharee Hancock, Registered Nurse
Margaret Hand, Nurse Practitioner
Dr Gina Hart, GP Registrar
Jayne Hartstone, PGDip Clin Psych, MSocSc
Dr Jennifer Hayward, FRANZCOG, FChSHM accredited MEDSAC Forensic Examiner BMBS, BMedSci
Dr Susan Helman, MBChB FRNZCGP
Gemma Henderson, Midwife
Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM, LlB/BSocSci, LlM with distinction, PhD
Caitlin Hickman, Registered counsellor with NZAC
Jo Hilder, Senior Research Fellow, Otago University Wellington
Dr Madelin Hobson, General Practitioner
Katie Hoek, Child and Family Psychologist
Dr Pauline Horrill, FRNZCGP
Edit Horvath, MSocSci (Hons), COP Sex Therapy
Jove Horton
Philippa Howden-Chapman, Professor of Public Health
Skyler Hsieh, Intern Clinical Psychologist
Dr Debbie Hughes, FRNZCGP MB BCh DCH PGCertHS (Youth Health)
Juno Hunt, Enrolled Nurse
Archie Hunter
Dr Ed Hyde, MBChB, FRANZCOG
Milla Inkila, MEd
Jaina Jacobs, BSc
Dr Chris Jacques, MBChB, Diploma of Child Health, FRNZCGP
Dr Brendan Jansen, MBBS FRANZCP
Ella Jenkins
Dr Rachel Johnson, MBBS , FRACP (Paeds, AYAM)
Dr Heather Johnston, MBChB, PGDipOMG, IBCLC
Abigail Jones
Maire Joy, Bachelor Counselling, Post Grad Sexology
Andrew Jull, RN, PhD, Professor of Nursing
Marik Kardel
Emma Kelly
Áine Kelly-Costello
Fleur Kelsey, Registered Midwife, Senior Lecturer School of Midwifery, Otago Polytechnic
Dr Jonathan Kennedy, General Practitioner
Dr Helen Ker, MBChB
Maria Kovács, Registered Social Worker
Dr Zoe Kristensen, BSc(Hons), MBChB, FRANZCP
Dr Ella Kroch, DClin Psych, MNZCCP
Julia Laing, RCompN, MHSc
Charlene Lang, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Dr Miriam Larsen-Barr, DClinPsych
Dr Kim Lawson, MBChB, Dip Obst, DCH, Dip MSM, FRNZCGP
Morag Lawson, MNSc, Nurse Practitioner
Emily Leadbitter, Registered Nurse
Lori Leigh, PhD
Dr Alanah Lin, MBChB, FRANZCP
Laressa Lynch, MNZAC
Ky Ma
Dr Sophie Mace, MBChB PGDipOMG FRNZCGP IBCLC
Kayla Mackie, Clinical Psychologist
Emma MacKenzie, MWRM, PGDipSc; Kaitiaki/Crisis Line Worker
Dr Alice MacLachlan, General Practitioner
Athena Macmillan, BA(Hons) in Anthropology, PGDip in Bioethics & Health Law
Mason Malcolm, Registered Social Worker
Dawn Maley, Dip Massage Therapy, Dip Clinical Aromatherapy
Larissa Marno, PhD Candidate
Awhi Marshall
Dr Antoinette Martin, General Practitioner
Dr Ruth Mason-Battley, MBChB, Psychiatry Registrar
Duncan Matthews, MNZM, MSCL
Lauren May
Amy McBride, NZCS, BSc, BNursing, PGDip Nursing
Joleen McEvoy, Social Worker
Dr Miranda McEwan, MBChB BSc(Hons) PhD
Harrison McKay, Enrolled Nurse
James McKie, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Dr Kennedy Mclachlan, PhD, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Rosie McMenamin, Youth Health Service Manager
Sarah McNeil, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Trish McNutt, Registered Nurse
Wendy McPhillips, Nurse Practitioner Mātanga Tapuhi
Mel Meates, Registered Nurse
Yvette Merrin, BAppSci Health Promotion, certified Health Coach
Cass Mill
Suzanne Miller, Associate Professor, PhD, RM
Dr Ellen Miller, General Practitioner
Mani B Mitchell, Counsellor/psychotherapist member of NZAC
Dr Tania Moerenhout, GP, FRNZCGP, Senior Lecturer
Billy Moore, Medical student
Dr Julia Moore, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Lara Moses, MSW
Leisa Munro, MA EdMgmt, Dip Tch, Dip Couns
Dr Nicola Munro, MBChB, DRCOG, FRNZCGP
Dr Roslyn Munro, Clinical Psychologist DClinPsych
Jasper Nacilla, Nurse Practitioner
Dr Ruth Nagle
Denise Nassenstein, Trauma therapist (ACC)
Eva Neely, PhD Public Health
Rachael Nicoll
Dr Rebecca Nicholls, GP, BSc, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Megan Norris, B.A., M.Sc.
Liora Noy, Registered Nurse
Judy O'Brien, BA Psychology
Dr Caitlyn O'Fallon, MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP
Lee O'Neill
Bridget Orchard, Social Work Therapist
Tika Ormond, Speech Language Therapist, Clinical Educator
Ross Palethorpe, MNZAC
Dr George Parker, Midwife, Senior Lecturer in Health Service Delivery, Lead Investigator Warming the Whare Project
Dr Sophie Parnham, FACEM FDRHMNZ
Raewyn Parsons
Nicola Paton
Mershen Pillay, Speech Therapist/Audiologist
Anji Piper-Beckett, BA Counselling
Emma Peek
Tiria Pehi, Research Fellow
John Penny
Elliott Pepper, Registered Nurse
Andi Pierobon
Nevil Pierse, Professor of Public Health
Jesse Porter
Elizabeth Poucher, Qualified Social Worker
Dr Sarah Prior, FRNZCGP, MBChB, PGDipOMG
Diana Prizgintas, PhD
Lulu Purda, Registered Nurse, PGDip Primary Health Nursing
Nora Purdie, Transgender Healthcare Support Worker
Dr Megan Pybus, MBChB, FRACP
Cat Railey, Registered Nurse
Dr Sarah Rance, FRNZCGP MBChB
Dr Hemlata Ranga, Psychiatrist MD, FRANZCP
Hester Reich, MNZAC - BA Counselling
Jaime Rendell, MA Psych, PreKure certified Health Coach
Kyrith Reynolds
Annick Richterich, Registered Nurse PgDip
Cayla Robberts
Chelsea Robinson, MSc and MSW (app)
Dr Oliver Rooke, Psychiatry Consultant
Dr Amy Rosario, MBBS, FRNZCGP
Lanei Rose, RN, BN
Narnia Rose
Sally Rose, Senior Research Fellow, PhD
Dr Dane Rua, FRNZCGP, MBChB
Jack Ryan, Medical student
Dr Laura Sandbrook, MBChB
Leslie Sands, Counsellor
Dr David Sar Shalom Abadi, MD, FRNZCGP
Ilana Seager van Dyk, Ph.D, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Avrael Semple
Bianca Sepulveda, BA,BSc,BN, Master of Nursing Science
Skye Shaddix
Dr Joanna Sherriff
Andrea Sherrington, Registered Mental Health Nurse
Jennifer Shields, Healthcare Lead & PATHA President
Dr Katie Shillito, FRNZCGP, DCH, DipOMG
Dr Emily Shine, FRNZCGP, PGCertHsc, PGCertWHlth, MBChB
Dr Beth Shore, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Alice Simpson
Nicole Skews-Poole
Joanne Smith, Physiotherapist
Kate Smith, Peer Support Worker
Rachel Smith
Dr Rose Soame, BMBS BMedSci
Dr Wee Ming Soh, MBBS, NZCSRH
Dr Jamie Speeden, MBChB, FRACP (Paeds), FRANZCP (Child & Adol)
Alice Springford-Gough, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Dr Laura Siga Stephan, GP Registrar
Dr Danielle Stefanski, Specialist Physician MBBS, DTM&H, FRACP
Dr Emily Street, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Coty Stoddart, Medical Student
Francesca Storey
Professor Maria Stubbe, University of Otago
Dr Nicholas Sullivan, Psychiatry registrar
Vanessa Summers, CBT Therapist - DAPAANZ registered
Kyle Tan, PhD
Ray Tanouye
Amy Taylor, Registered Midwife
Eliza Taylor, Student Nurse
Tayla Taylor, BSW
Dr Victoria Taylor, MBChB, FRNZGCP, PGDipOMG
Claire Teal, Counsellor, NZAC
Sean Tholen, BSc, MTEL
Tina Thompson
Dr Meg Thomson, MBBS, FRNZCGP
Dr Anneke Thornton, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Dr Pleayo Tovaranonte, MBChB, LLM, LLB (Hons), PGDipHlthMgmnt, PGCertCAvMed
Jay Treloggen, Registered Social Worker
Karli Tyla
Miles Benjiman Usherwood
Jo Vallance, Clinical Psychologist
Tycho Vandenburg, Researcher
Charlotte Vanhecke
Janell Vaughn, Master of Social Work
Dr Jaimie Veale, PhD, PATHA founding President
Jo Veale
Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia, PhD
E Vokins
Felix Vos-Howett
Dr Alexandra Wallace, BHB, MBChB, DCH, FRACP, PhD
Karen Wakelin, RM, PhD, MA (Applied), BSc (Hons), GDTE
Niamh Walsh, Medical student
Dr Anthony Walters, MBChB, Advanced Trainee in Endocrinology
Rosie Watt
Skyler Watt, Intern Counselling Psychologist
Dr. Robin Watts, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Slay Way
Elizabeth Weatherly, NZRGON, NZRM, MRNZ
Prof. Ben Wheeler, MBChB, DCH, CCE, PhD, FRACP
Dawn Willix-Payne, Clinical Psychologist
Katherine Beth Wilson
Dr Courtenay White, General Practitioner
Dr Rebecca White, Consultant psychiatrist, MBChB, RANZCP
Dr Patricia Whitfield, MBChB, FRACP, PhD
Niamh Winters
Dr Nicole Winters, MSW, PsyD
Cassie Withey-Rila
Sidney Wong, Co-Chair Qtopia, BSc, MLing, MADS
Cameron Wright
Alex Wyn, Registered Social Worker
Rita Yang, Surgeon
Micah Yang
Dr Kwek Suat Yee, General Practitioner
Dr Heather Young, FaChSHM
Dr Ji Young Park, MBChB, FRNZCGP
Avery Zavoda, Student Nurse
17 parents of transgender children also signed this letter. We have withheld their names to protect their privacy.
