The Ministry of Health is responsible for the regulation of sterilisation services. The Ministry is required to collect and report on sterilisation provision in Aotearoa New Zealand, under the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 (CSA Act).
The Director-General of Health has an obligation to review and report on whether there is timely and equitable access to these services.
The new Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Information Collection) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) are part of the CSA Act. They set out additional information collection requirements for sterilisation providers. These regulations came into effect on 24 September 2021.
On 1 July 2022 our health system was transformed with the intent of pae ora (healthy futures) for all New Zealanders. The Ministry continues to focus on policy, data and regulation while commissioning, workforce and service planning and provision now sits with Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. The Ministry continues to work closely with Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, and will ensure that links are established and maintained.
The Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021 defines the updates to the quality and safety requirements for the provision of included services in New Zealand. Ngā Paerewa reflects the shift towards more person- and whānau-centred health and disability services. People are empowered to make decisions about their own care and support in order to achieve their goals, with a stronger focus on outcomes for people receiving support.
Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability services standard 8134:2021 provides a suite of information about best practice service provision that can be adopted by sterilisation service providers.
