High Court overturns puberty-blocker ban despite acknowledging grounds for restrictions
October 23, 2026
Summarised by Centrist
The High Court has overturned the Government's ban on new puberty-blocker prescriptions for children with gender dysphoria, ruling that it breached consultation requirements and anti-discrimination protections.
However, the judge acknowledged that Health Minister Simeon Brown had a rational basis for imposing restrictions.
Family First NZ has condemned the decision, arguing that it gives insufficient weight to unresolved questions about the treatments' long-term safety and effectiveness.
CEO Bob McCoskrie pointed to the Ministry of Health's own evidence review, which found research was largely poor quality, leaving insufficient evidence to establish whether puberty blockers are safe or reversible for adolescents with gender dysphoria.
"If the evidence is contested, as WPATH itself now appears to acknowledge, then caution must prevail. Children deserve healthcare based on robust evidence, not ideology," McCoskrie said.
Justice Dale La Hood found the Government had failed to consult adequately on the proposed prohibition, including directly with affected young people.
He also found that indefinitely denying new prescriptions to young people with gender dysphoria, while allowing the same medication for other conditions, amounted to unjustified discrimination under the Bill of Rights.
The Court did not rule that puberty blockers were proven safe or that restrictions were inherently unlawful. It found the blanket prohibition disproportionate and left future restrictions to the Minister and Cabinet.
The judge also rejected allegations that Brown had acted improperly to advance NZ First's political agenda.
Family First cited a December 2025 poll showing 50% supported the ban, 23% opposed it and 27% were undecided.
The organisation is urging political parties to prioritise counselling and other support over puberty-blocking medication.
Read more at Family First | High Court judgment
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