Summarised by Centrist
The government has instructed Health New Zealand to use the term “women” and not “pregnant people” in its public communications about health services.
The government says that clarity is essential for sex-specific care.
In a letter sent on 27 March, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello told Health NZ’s interim chief executive Dr Dale Bramley that recent communications referring to “people with a cervix” or “individuals capable of childbearing” were unnecessarily vague. “Only women and people of the female sex can get pregnant and birth a child no matter how they identify,” she wrote.
Costello said using clear, sex-based language was important for ensuring all women (including those with English as a second language) understand what services are available to them.
She added that this direction does not prevent the Ministry or Health NZ from developing separate resources for trans or non-binary people if needed.
Health NZ did not confirm whether it had made any changes following the letter. Its 2023/24 annual report used both “pregnant women” and “pregnant people.”
Victoria University academic Dr George Parker criticised the directive, saying it may limit inclusive approaches in perinatal care. But Costello reiterated that her focus is on clear communication in line with her responsibilities for women’s health.
