No child will be able to start taking puberty blockers from December 19.

The Government says the Ministry of Health has found a lack of evidence for the benefits or risks of gender dysphoria or incongruence treatment - gonadotropin - releasing hormone analogues.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says they're putting up safeguards until more evidence is available. 

"Effectively, what we're doing is putting in place a restriction on the prescribing of these drugs for this purpose to make sure that those who are prescribing look at the wider range of treatments or things that can be done."

LISTEN ABOVE

No child will be able to start taking puberty blockers from December 19.
The Government says the Ministry of Health has found a lack of evidence for the benefits or risks of gender dysphoria or incongruence treatment - gonadotropin - releasing hormone analogues.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says they're putting up safeguards until more evidence is available.&nbsp;
"Effectively, what we're doing is putting in place a restriction on the prescribing of these drugs for this purpose to make sure that those who are prescribing look at the wider range of treatments or things that can be done."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the Government pausing prescription of puberty blockers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7149b6f9-2bd8-4308-afcf-b39a0059afea/transcript

Questions have been raised over the media's handling of an incident concerning TVNZ's political editor, Maiki Sherman.

Reports have emerged that TVNZ threatened to sue Newstalk ZB after a producer raised questions with the state broadcaster about Sherman's alleged use of a homophobic slur.

Massey University Journalism Programme Leader James Hollings says TVNZ has handled this situation poorly.

"It's not a good look, really, when you're a public broadcaster, to be telling another news outlet not to run a story about something." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Questions have been raised over the media's handling of an incident concerning TVNZ's political editor, Maiki Sherman.
Reports have emerged that TVNZ threatened to sue Newstalk ZB after a producer raised questions with the state broadcaster about Sherman's alleged use of a homophobic slur.
Massey University Journalism Programme Leader James Hollings says TVNZ has handled this situation poorly.
"It's not a good look, really, when you're a public broadcaster, to be telling another news outlet not to run a story about something."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

James Hollings: Massey University Journalism Programme Leader on the media response to the Maiki Sherman story

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7a3b0d50-e98e-4da7-b58b-b43b006f1ebf/transcript

The Government's crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide appears to target the areas of most harm. 

The gas is increasingly becoming a health risk - particularly when it is inhaled in high quantities. 

Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.

The Drug Foundation's Hayden Eastmond-Mein says these canisters are the biggest issue. 

"Historically, nitrous oxide has been relatively low-harm in terms of drugs, but that was based on the kind of classic, smaller canisters that people might have seen." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government's crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide appears to target the areas of most harm.&nbsp;
The gas is increasingly becoming a health risk - particularly when it is inhaled in high quantities.&nbsp;
Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.
The Drug Foundation's Hayden Eastmond-Mein says these canisters are the biggest issue.&nbsp;
"Historically, nitrous oxide has been relatively low-harm in terms of drugs, but that was based on the kind of classic, smaller canisters that people might have seen."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Hayden Eastmond-Mein: NZ Drug Foundation spokesperson on the Government's planned crackdown on nangs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0618027c-c4f0-4085-86be-b43b00677847/transcript

The UAE's exit from OPEC will deliver a painful blow to the oil cartel and its de-facto leader. 

The Gulf State is walking away from the group after nearly six decades - following longstanding tensions with Saudi Arabia.

The UAE suggests this will help it meet growing global energy demand in the long term, and give it more flexibility.

Middle East Analyst Gordon Robison says OPEC is already a shadow of its former self.

"I think a number of the smaller countries in OPEC are beginning to be uncomfortable with the degree to which Saudi Arabia treats them as essentially subordinates."

LISTEN ABOVE

The UAE's exit from OPEC will deliver a painful blow to the oil cartel and its de-facto leader.&nbsp;
The Gulf State is walking away from the group after nearly six decades - following longstanding tensions with Saudi Arabia.
The UAE suggests this will help it meet growing global energy demand in the long term, and give it more flexibility.
Middle East Analyst Gordon Robison says OPEC is already a shadow of its former self.
"I think a number of the smaller countries in OPEC are beginning to be uncomfortable with the degree to which Saudi Arabia treats them as essentially subordinates."
LISTEN ABOVE

Gordon Robison: Middle East journalist on the United Arab Emirates leaving oil cartel OPEC

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3766c7b8-9798-4a56-9358-b43b006233bd/transcript

Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the Government pausing prescription of puberty blockers

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