- Phone 078848053
Gender affirming care is about recognising and affirming each person’s unique sense of gender. At Health Te Aroha, we support individuals to explore and achieve their gender healthcare goals in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
These goals may include:
Exploring gender expression
Support with social transition
Access to hormone therapy
Guidance around surgical options
Connecting with specialist services and community agencies
Supporting whānau, caregivers and other significant people
Every person’s journey is unique, and we are here to walk alongside you.
Social transition describes the steps some transgender and gender diverse people take to align how they present to the world with their gender identity.
This looks different for everyone and may include:
Using a chosen name
Changing pronouns
Adjusting clothing or personal presentation
Sharing your identity with friends, whānau, school or workplace
It is important to understand that neither social nor medical transition is required for someone to be recognised as trans or gender diverse. All identities are valid and deserving of respect.
Whānau support is a powerful protective factor for trans young people. Research shows that strong family connection significantly lowers the risk of poor mental health, even when stigma or discrimination is experienced elsewhere.
Supportive whānau provide strength and resilience for takatāpui and transgender rangatahi.
Whānau support can include:
A parent supporting their trans child
A partner supporting a loved one through transition
Family members advocating for respectful and inclusive care
Whānau learning, adapting and growing together
Often, transition is something the whole whānau experiences — not just one individual.
We provide a safe and affirming space where transgender and gender diverse people can explore social transition in ways that feel right for them.
To minimise the impact of minority stress and promote wellbeing and wairua, we are committed to:
Promoting gender diversity and inclusion within our clinic and online information
Recognising each person as the expert in their own gender identity
Training staff to ask sensitive questions respectfully and appropriately
Acknowledging that people present at different stages of transition and with varying levels of comfort
Asking about and using preferred names and pronouns
Recording self-identified gender in patient records and updating the National Health Index (with discussion and consent)
Supporting safe and practical social transition plans
Connecting individuals and whānau with external support services when needed
We honour self-determination and understand that minority stress can affect people in different ways. This may impact social, spiritual, psychological and physical wellbeing.
We affirm the inherent value of every individual. Everyone deserves dignity, respect and inclusion.
