The High Court has issued an injunction suspending the enforcement of new regulations that would ban the prescription of puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria or gender incongruence. The decision follows legal action taken by the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA), which is seeking a judicial review of the proposed changes.
The regulations, which were due to come into force on 19 December 2025, would limit the availability of puberty blockers solely to those diagnosed with gender incongruence. However, the High Court ruled on Wednesday to delay the implementation of the ban until the judicial review process is completed.
In its ruling, the judge emphasised that there was no immediate evidence to warrant the urgency of the ban. The court also acknowledged that the abrupt nature of the regulatory change had prevented PATHA from taking earlier legal steps. It ordered that the judicial review be treated as a matter of urgency.
“This is a win for trans young people, their whānau, and the health professionals who care for them,” said PATHA President Jennifer Shields in a statement responding to the decision.
