Healthcare information
Find research reports, guidelines, and resources.Whether you are a patient or a provider, you’ll find the best information on gender-affirming healthcare in Aotearoa here.
Key resources
Informed consent in primary healthcare
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
What informed is and is not, history and relation to the Health and Disability Commission code, and practical examples.
Checklist for the initiation of gender affirming hormone treatment
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
A simple checklist which aligns with international best practice frameworks.
Gender affirming hormone treatment
Initiating treatment and guidelines
Gender affirming hormone treatment – a guide for patients 4th edition
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2023).
Informed consent in primary healthcare.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Checklist for initiating gender-affirming hormone treatment
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Informed Consent 101 – a 3 minute guide
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Primary care gender affirming hormone therapy initiation guidelines
Rona Carroll,Rebecca Nicholls, Richard W Carroll, Jemima Bullock, Dion Reid, Jennifer Shields, Rachel Johnson, Jeannie Oliphant, Elizabeth McElrea, Patricia Whitfield, Jaimie Veale (2023).
Australian Informed Consent Standards of Care for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
AusPATH: Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (2022).
Progesterone Is Important for Transgender Women’s Therapy—Applying Evidence for the Benefits of Progesterone in Ciswomen
Jerilynn C. Prior, published by The Endocrine Society (2019).
Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare for Gender Diverse and Transgender Children, Young People and Adults in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Jeannie Oliphant, Jaimie Veale, Joe Macdonald, Richard Carroll, Rachel Johnson, Mo Harte, Cathy Stephenson, Jemima Bullock, David Cole, Patrick Manning (2018).
Primary Care Toolkit
Trans Care BC (2021)
ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision)
World Health Organisation (2022).
Initiating Hormone Therapy: guidelines for Healthcare Providers
Madeline B. Deutsch, University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Experts issue recommendations to provide gender-affirmation treatment for transgender individuals
The Endocrine Society (2017).
Health and Disability Commissioner Regulations
Health and Disability Commissioner (NZ).
Informed Consent in the Medical Care of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Patients
Timothy Cavanaugh, MD, Ruben Hopwood, MDiv, PhD, and Cei Lambert, MFA (2016).
Informed Consent in Trans Health Care
Indiana Transgender Network.
Stepping Forward – Informed Consent Clinics (USA) (PDF).
Informed Consent for Access to Trans Health
ICATH.
Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice (PDF).
Puberty Blockers
We recommend also reading the information under the other subheadings in this section.
Current evidence on puberty blockers
Project Village Aotearoa (2023).
Family experiences with puberty blockers
Project Village Aotearoa (2023).
Clinical experiences with puberty blockers
Project Village Aotearoa (2023).
Consent forms
NZ Consent form for Masculinising Hormones (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
NZ Consent form for Feminising Hormones (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
NZ Consent form for Blocking Male Hormones (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
NZ Consent form for Blocking Female Hormones (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
Consent Form For Starting Masculinising Hormone Therapy
Northern Region Transgender Health Services.
Consent Form For Starting Feminising Hormone Therapy
Northern Region Transgender Health Services (PDF).
MTF Informed Consent Form for HRT (PDF).
International.
Doses and administration
Gender affirming hormone treatment – a guide for patients
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2023).
Safe Estrogen Levels
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Intramuscular Testosterone Injections
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2020).
Subcutaneous Testosterone Injections
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2020).
Which Hormones are Subsidised?
Pharmac Schedule.
Maintenance Hormone Doses – Feminising
Professional Association for Transgender Health (PATHA) (2020).
Maintenece Hormone Doses – Masculinising
Professional Association for Transgender Health (PATHA) (2020).
Sustanon Injections Guide
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
Progesterone Is Important for Transgender Women’s Therapy—Applying Evidence for the Benefits of Progesterone in Cis women (PDF).
Jerilynn C Prior, Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (2019).
Other
What transgender health promoters want you to know
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2019).
A third opinion: transgender, healthcare tips for providers
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2015).
Autistic transgender people
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Pharmac Seminars on Diversity: Trans 101, and Gender Diversity 2017 (Video).
Pharmac.
Weight and Health (PDF).
Vancouver Coastal Health, Transcend Transgender Support & Education
Society and Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition (2006).
Cross-Sex Hormone Treatment and Psychobiological Changes in Transsexual Persons: Two-Year Follow-Up Data
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Initial Clinical Guidelines for Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria or Incongruence in Adolescents
John F. Strang, Haley Meagher, Lauren Kenworthy, Annelou L. C. de Vries, Edgardo Menvielle, Scott Leibowitz, Aron Janssen, Peggy Cohen-Kettenis, Daniel E. Shumer, Laura Edwards-Leeper, Richard R. Pleak, Norman Spack, Dan H. Karasic, Herbert Schreier, Anouk Balleur, Amy Tishelman, Diane Ehrensaft, Leslie Rodnan, Emily S. Kuschner, Francie Mandel, Antonia Caretto, Hal C. Lewis & Laura G. Anthony (2016).
Frameworks, guidelines, and recommendations
Informed consent in primary healthcare.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Primary care gender affirming hormone therapy initiation guidelines
Rona Carroll,Rebecca Nicholls, Richard W Carroll, Jemima Bullock, Dion Reid, Jennifer Shields, Rachel Johnson, Jeannie Oliphant, Elizabeth McElrea, Patricia Whitfield, Jaimie Veale (2023).
Conversion Practices Guidence – for healthcare professionals
New Zealand Human Rights Commission (2023).
Guidelines for Gender Affirming Healthcare in Aotearoa NZ
Jeannie Oliphant, Jaimie Veale, Joe Macdonald, Richard Carroll, Rachel Johnson, Mo Harte, Cathy Stephenson, Jemima Bullock, David Cole, Patrick Manning (2018).
Health and Disability Commissioner Regulations (1996)
Health and Disability Commissioner (NZ).
Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health 2020
Professional Association for Transgender Health (PATHA) (2021).
Counting Ourselves national transgender health report NZ
Veale J, Byrne J, Tan K, Guy S, Yee A, Nopera T, & Bentham R (2019).
Australian Informed Consent Standards of Care for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
AusPATH: Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (2022)
Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary People
Madeline B. Deutsch, MD, MPH, UCSF Transgender Care (2016).
Informed Consent in the Medical Care of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Patients
Timothy Cavanaugh, MD, Ruben Hopwood, MDiv, PhD, and Cei Lambert, MFA (2016).
Informed Consent in Trans Health Care
Indiana Transgender Network.
Stepping Forward – Informed Consent Clinics (USA) (PDF).
Informed Consent for Access to Trans Health
ICATH.
Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice (PDF).
Initial Clinical Guidelines for Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria or Incongruence in Adolescents
John F. Strang, Haley Meagher, Lauren Kenworthy, Annelou L. C. de Vries, Edgardo Menvielle, Scott Leibowitz, Aron Janssen, Peggy Cohen-Kettenis, Daniel E. Shumer, Laura Edwards-Leeper, Richard R. Pleak, Norman Spack, Dan H. Karasic, Herbert Schreier, Anouk Balleur, Amy Tishelman, Diane Ehrensaft, Leslie Rodnan, Emily S. Kuschner, Francie Mandel, Antonia Caretto, Hal C. Lewis & Laura G. Anthony (2016).
WPATH Standards of Care 8
World Professional Association for Transgender Healthcare (2021).
Blueprint for the provision of comprehensive care for trans people and trans communities in Asia and The Pacific (PDF)
Health Policy Project, Asia Pacific Transgender Network, United Nations Development Programme (2015).
Guidelines to Human Rights Based Trans-specific Healthcare (2019)
TGEU Transgender Europe.
Creating a safe and welcoming clinic environment
Madeline B. Deutsch, MD, MPH, UCSF Transgender Care (2016).
U.S. Transgender Survey Report (27,000 participants) (2015) (PDF).
Examples of good practice
Health pathways
Health pathways recommendations
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2018).
Auckland Region
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Midland Region
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Hawke’s Bay
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Whanganui & MidCentral
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Capital and Coast (3D)
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Nelson-Marlborough
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
West Coast
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Canterbury
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Aoraki (South Canterbury)
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Southern
3D Health Pathways for clinicians.
Health Pathways Community
HealthPathwaysCommunity.
Gender affirming healthcare in Wellington, Capital Coast and Hutt Valley
Capital Coast and Hutt Valley regional health services.
Gender Diverse and Transgender Health Pathways PDF
Auckland Regional Health Pathways.
Northern Region Transgender Health Services
Auckland Regional Health Pathways.
Sex and Gender Diverse People Referral Process to Endocrinology Services
Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa (PDF).
Pathways to Transgender Healthcare Services
(Auckland District Health Board) – Hauora Tāhine.
Gender Diverse and Transgender Health Pathways (PDF)
Auckland Regional HealthPathways.
Mental Health
Supporting Aotearoa’s Rainbow People; a practice guide for mental health professionals
Gloria Fraser, Gender Minorities Aotearoa, InsideOUT, RainbowYOUTH, Youth Wellbeing Study (2019).
‘It’s how the world around you treats you for being trans’: mental health and wellbeing of transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand
Kyle K. H. Tan, Johanna M. Schmidt, Sonja J. Ellis, Jaimie F. Veale & Jack L. Byrne (2021).
Enacted stigma experiences and protective factors are strongly associated with mental health outcomes of transgender people in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Kyle K. H. Tan, Gareth J. Treharne, Sonja J. Ellis, Johanna M. Schmidt & Jaimie F. Veale (2020).
Gender Minority Stress: A Critical Review
Kyle K. H. Tan, Gareth J. Treharne, Sonja J. Ellis, Johanna M. Schmidt & Jaimie F. Veale (2020) .
OutLoud_Aotearoa Report: Community Experiences of Mental Health and Addictions Services
RainbowYOUTH, We Are Beneficiaries (2018).
All of Us: Minority Identities and Inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand
Stace Robertson (2018).
Let’s Talk: a resource guide for parents
OUTline.
Trans Pathways Report: The Mental Health Experiences and Care Pathways of Trans Young People
Strauss, P., Cook, A., Winter, S., Watson, V., Wright Toussaint, D., Lin, A. (2017).
Trans Pathways Report Summary (PDF)
Strauss, P., Cook, A., Winter, S., Watson, V., Wright Toussaint, D., Lin, A. (2017).
Miscellaneous
A collection of resources about rainbow mental health.
Working Theraputically with LGBTI Clients: a practice wisdom resource (PDF)
National LGBTI Health Alliance (2014).
Mental health considerations with transgender and gender nonconforming clients
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Recommendations for Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adolescents (PDF)
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (2013).
Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (PDF)
American Psychological Association (APA).
Surgical
Genital reconstruction
Referral for Genital Reconstruction Surgeries in NZ
Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Surgery MtF
Vancouver Coastal Health, Transcend Transgender Support & Education
Society and Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition (2006).
Surgery FtM
Vancouver Coastal Health, Transcend Transgender Support & Education
Society and Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition (2006).
Recommendations Regarding Access to Gender Confirming Surgeries in Ontario
Hysterectomy
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Phalloplasty and metaoidioplasty – overview and post-operative considerations
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
All gender affirming surgeries
Accessing gender affirming surgeries in Aotearoa
Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Surgical techniques
Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Health care for transgender New Zealanders
Ministry of Health.
Surgeon’s presentation from the National Transgender Health Symposium
Dr Rita Yang (2019).
Other
7 Tips for Parents of Intersex Children
Laura Inter (2019)
Sexual health and pregnancy
Sexual health
Brazen: Trans Women’s Safer Sex Guide
Barrier methods for safer sex – Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
If you are sexually assaulted: understanding your options – Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
The transgender guide to sex and relationships – Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Fertility options
Transgender Fertility – preservation and treatment
Fertility Associates (2022).
Reproductive Options for Trans People (PDF).
Rainbow health Ontario.
Fertility information for those starting Oestrogen (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
Fertility Preservation in Auckland Region (PDF).
Hauora tāhine – pathways to transgender healthcare services.
Pregnancy and birth
Warming the Whare for trans people and whānau in perinatal care (PDF)
Parker, G., Miller, S., Baddock, S., Veale, J., Ker, A., & Kerekere, E. (2023).
Midwives Tip Sheet for Working With Trans Clients (PDF).
Lactation Care for Transgender and Non-Binary Patients: Empowering Clients and Avoiding Aversives – Trevor Kirczenow MacDonald (2019).
Family Planning When Transgender
Transmasculine individuals’ experiences with lactation, chestfeeding, and gender identity: a qualitative study – Trevor MacDonald, Joy Noel-Weiss, Diana West, Michelle Walks, MaryLynne Biener, Alanna Kibbe & Elizabeth Myler (2016).
Pregnancy Outcomes After Fertility Preservation in Transgender Men – Maxwell, Susan MD; Noyes, Nicole MD; Keefe, David MD; Berkeley, Alan S. MD; Goldman, Kara N. MD (2017).
HIV
The transgender guide to sex and relationships
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2022).
Implementing comprehensive HIV/STI programmes with sex workers: practical approaches from collaborative interventions
World Health Organisation (WHO).
UNAIDS Action Framework: Universal Access for MSM and Transgender People
United Nation Development Programme (2009).
Implementing comprehensive HIV and STI programmes with Transgender people
UNAIDS.
Other resources
Supporting Transgender People: Free Online Course
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Patient Portals
Ministry of Health (2021).
Autistic Trans People
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Detransition or Retranstion Support
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Binders: Effective Breathing and Exercises
Gender Minorities Aotearoa, PhysioSpot (2018).
Trans 101: Glossary of Trans words and how to use them
Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Laser Hair Removal Funding
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2019).
Voice Therapy Funding
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2019).
Specialist services for management of individuals identifying as transgender in New Zealand
John Delahunt et al (2016) (PDF).
Acknowledging Gender and Sex: 101 course for healthcare providers
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Petition 2011/107 of Thomas Hamilton and 435 others: Report of the Health Committee (PDF)
NZ House of Representatives.
Is New Zealand’s Healthcare System Prejudiced Against Transgender People?
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2016).
Transgender voice and communication – Vocal Health and Considerations
University of California, San Diego (UCSF).
Professional development
Supporting Transgender People: Free Online Course
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2021).
Workshops and consultation
Gender Minorities Aotearoa.
Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa
PATHA.
Waiting room posters
Transgender diversity posters (set of 8)
Gender Minorities Aotearoa (2018).
Nau mai haere mai rainbow feathers poster
Gender Minorities Aotearoa, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, Youth Wellbeing Study, Gloria Fraser (2019).
Top Tips for Supporting Rainbow People in Mental Health Settings
Gender Minorities Aotearoa, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, Youth Wellbeing Study, Gloria Fraser (2019).
Is there a way we can better support you?
Gloria Fraser, Gender Minorities Aotearoa, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, Youth Wellbeing Study (2019).
Tell us about your pronouns
Gender Minorities Aotearoa, RainbowYOUTH, InsideOUT, Youth Wellbeing Study, Gloria Fraser (2019).
Contact us
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