The Act’s purpose is to “recognise and prevent harm caused by conversion practices; and promote respectful and open discussions regarding sexuality and gender”.

Two offences are created:

• performing a conversion practice on a person who is under 18 or lacking decision-making capacity (Section 8)
• performing a conversion practice that causes serious harm to the individual (Section 9).

Prosecution requires the consent of the Attorney-General.

Future amendments

From 18 August 2022 the Act will also

• add a new s 63A to Part 2 (Unlawful Discrimination) of the Human Rights Act 1993, and  
• provide for complaints to be made alleging a breach of the new s 63A.

The Human Rights Act 1993 on Westlaw New Zealand has now been updated to reflect the future amendments.