By Mary Argue of RNZ

Hundreds of people are marching on Parliament to protest against moves that could change how puberty blockers are prescribed in gender-affirming care.

Last year, health officials called for a new cautious approach after the Government signalled an intent to consider regulating prescriptions to young people.

Regulatory measures could include restricting the prescribing of puberty blockers in the context of gender-affirming care but not its use in other contexts, the ministry said.

Hundreds of people are marching on Parliament to protest against moves that could change how puberty blockers are prescribed in gender-affirming care. Photo / Samuel Rillstone, RNZ

Queer Endurance in Defiance spokesperson Wyatt Dawson said in a release that the transgender community and its allies were worried that any changes will mean trans children lose access to hormone therapy that stalls unwanted physical changes.

Puberty blockers should be available “on demand”, they said.

Sunday’s protest comes after the Government directed the Ministry of Health to consult on whether there should be further safety measures for prescribing puberty blockers.

It opened public submissions asking if further precautions or restrictions are needed, and what impacts this could have on young people.

Sunday’s protest comes after the Government directed the Ministry of Health to consult on whether there should be further safety measures for prescribing puberty blockers. Photo / Mary Argue

Half a dozen speakers from the queer community and its allies, including current and former Green Party MPs Benjamin Doyle and Elizabeth Kerekere, addressed the crowd gathered at Parliament steps.

The Green Party is opposed to moves to regulate puberty blockers in gender-affirming care in young people.

Speakers included former Green Party MP Elizabeth Kerekere. Photo / Samuel Rillstone

The Ministry of Health’s consultation on additional safety measures for the hormone therapy closed in January, but nothing has yet been publicly released.

Doyle condemned the review.

The MP said the rights of trans and non-binary people should not be up for debate.

“How dare they call for public consultation on whether we deserve to have life-saving treatment. How dare they attempt to deny children healthcare ... access to healthcare is a human right.”

Doyle said the party is calling on the Government to increase funding and access to puberty blockers for young trans people.

The protest has now wrapped up.

- RNZ