Human Rights Commission welcomes High Court decision on puberty blockers ban
22 Oct 2026
Released by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission
MediaRelease.co Summary
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has welcomed a High Court decision setting aside regulations that prohibited access to puberty blockers for new patients seeking gender-related health care. The Commission says the judgment in PATHA v Minister of Health reinforces the importance of meaningfully consulting gender diverse young people and their whānau, and that government must uphold the right to freedom from disability discrimination. It says it will carefully consider the decision.
Original release
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission welcomes the High Court’s decision setting aside regulations that prohibited access to puberty blockers for new patients seeking gender related health care.
The judgment reinforces the importance of gender diverse young people and their whānau being meaningfully consulted on decisions affecting their healthcare, and that government must uphold the right to freedom from disability discrimination.