New Zealand – Why we need safe areas outside abortion clinics

Terry Bellamak | Guest writer
March 8, 2021

This week, a bill that would ensure pregnant people seeking abortion don’t have to be confronted by angry mobs outside of clinics is expected to have its first reading. Terry Bellamak explains why safe areas are so crucial for vulnerable patients.

Last March, New Zealand legalised abortion. The new law changed many things for the better – no more seeking approval of certifying consultants, no more having to lie to come within the grounds in the Crimes Act. But due to a procedural misstep, safe areas did not make it into the final version. MPs asked too late for a roll call vote. To be fair, it was late at night.

Continued: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/08-03-2021/why-we-need-safe-areas-outside-abortion-clinics/


New Zealand – Parliament removes abortion from Crimes Act

Parliament removes abortion from Crimes Act

18 March 2020
Hon Andrew Little

Abortion has been removed from the Crimes Act under a new law passed by Parliament today.

“For over forty years abortion has been the only medical procedure considered a crime in New Zealand. But from now abortions will be rightly treated as a health issue,” Minister of Justice Andrew Little said.

Continued: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/parliament-removes-abortion-crimes-act


New Zealand passes landmark law to decriminalize abortion

New Zealand passes landmark law to decriminalize abortion

By Nick Perry, The Associated Press
Wed., March 18, 2020

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Margaret Sparrow was 21 years old when she drank a concoction to induce an abortion, at a time when the procedure was both illegal and socially unacceptable in New Zealand.

Now age 84, Sparrow was delighted Wednesday when lawmakers passed a landmark bill that treats the procedure as a health issue rather than a crime.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Sparrow, a doctor who has spent her life advocating for the reproductive rights of women.

Continued: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/australia/2020/03/18/new-zealand-passes-landmark-law-to-decriminalize-abortion.html


Pro-choice protestors to rally around NZ for abortion law reform

Pro-choice protestors to rally around NZ for abortion law reform

Feb 18, 2020

Pro-choice protestors are set to rally around New Zealand today in support of abortion law reform.

“Now is the time for people who care about women and pregnant people to come out to the National Day of Action and show the politicians we need change," said Terry Bellamak, National President of the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ).

The Abortion Legislation Bill, which passed its first reading last year at 94 votes to 23, is under a conscience vote, meaning MPs will vote in the next reading on what they individually believe, rather than along party lines.

Continued: https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-currently/pro-choice-protestors-to-rally-around-nz-for-abortion-law-reform


Abortion in New Zealand and How We Got Here

Abortion in New Zealand and How We Got Here
Untangling the criminal history of abortions in New Zealand shows our laws have long been out of step with society.

by Laetitia Laubscher
Nov 27 2018

Abortion is legal in New Zealand but to get one most women have to lie.

In the year to June 2017, New Zealanders had 13,285 abortions, about one-fifth of all known pregnancies that year. The overwhelming majority were obtained through the circuitous, ambiguously legal method that exists in New Zealand—a system criticised by the United Nations for being an arbitrary, discriminatory mess.

Continued: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/wj3jmx/abortion-in-new-zealand-and-how-we-got-here


New Zealand – Abortion group says legislation is ‘altering too quick’

Abortion group says legislation is ‘altering too quick’

By Marta Subat
on November 4, 2018

A group of women who have had abortions have spoken out to caution the prime minister on law reform.

It follows a report back by the Law Commission that recommended ways to decriminalise abortion.

Continued: http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/news/abortion-group-says-legislation-is-altering-too-quick/


New Zealand – Abortion case taken to Human Rights Commission

Abortion case taken to Human Rights Commission

Sasha Borissenko of Newsroom.co.nz
Oct 08 2018

Six women who have sought abortion care and the Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRANZ) have taken a complaint to the Human Rights Commission alleging abortion laws discriminate against women and pregnant people.

ALRANZ's complaint to the commission on behalf of the women alleges "people who seek abortion care receive different and demonstrably worse treatment than other people seeking health care", according to ALRANZ president Terry Bellamak.

Continued: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/107674939/abortion-case-taken-to-human-rights-commission


New Zealand: ‘I Know What it’s Like’: The 80-something Abortion Pioneer Who Just Won’t Quit

by Michelle Duff
Nov 8 2016, Broadly

Once, a load of wet cement was dumped on her driveway. It did not dissuade her.

Dame Margaret Sparrow was 21 when she carried out her DIY abortion. The year was 1956; if you didn't want a baby, there were few ways out. She sent away for an inky-black elixir from a chemist rumoured to know about such things, and it arrived in the post in a brown paper bag.

"I have no idea what the mixture contained, whether it was a health risk or what the margin of safety was," Margaret writes in her book Abortion: Then & Now.

She was desperate. It worked. She had the equivalent of a heavy period, which came earlier than usual. "It happened when I was at work and was not in the least traumatic," she recalls. "Anticlimactic, really."

[continued at link]
Source: Broadly