‘The time is right’: New Zealand’s parliament advances bill that would decriminalize abortion

‘The time is right’: New Zealand’s parliament advances bill that would decriminalize abortion

By Siobhán O'Grady
August 8, 2019

Lawmakers in New Zealand voted overwhelmingly Thursday in favor of advancing an abortion bill that would dramatically loosen restrictions surrounding the procedure, in one of the most significant steps New Zealand’s leaders have taken toward revising the country’s abortion policies since the late 1970s.

Thursday’s vote was expected to be close, but it advanced easily to the next stage, with 94 voting in favor and 23 against. After further discussion, it will take two more rounds of voting for it to become law.

Continued: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/08/07/new-zealand-abortion-is-still-crime-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-could-soon-change-that/

Andrew Little’s abortion reforms could ban protests outside clinics

Andrew Little's abortion reforms could ban protests outside clinics

Thomas Coughlan
Aug 05 2019

Protesting outside clinics that offer abortions could be banned under proposals outlined by the Government on Monday.

Justice Minister Andrew Little said the changes would allow "safe areas" to be created outside abortion clinics that would essentially prevent anti-abortion activists from protesting within 150m of the site.

Continued: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/114764111/andrew-littles-abortion-reforms-could-ban-protests-outside-clinics

New Zealand – Using illegally imported abortion kits ‘potentially life threatening’

Using illegally imported abortion kits 'potentially life threatening'
A doctor who performs abortions in Christchurch says she's "disturbed" people are illegally importing abortion medicine.

5 November 2018

Last year, 39 "kits" containing abortion medicines mifepristone and/or misoprostol were seized at the border, according to regulator Medsafe. The pills induce miscarriage and are used for early medical abortions for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.

Certifying consultant and abortion provider Dr Pippa Mackay said she was concerned to hear about people importing abortion providing pills they had bought online, when abortions were safe and accessible in New Zealand.

Continued: https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/370278/using-illegally-imported-abortion-kits-potentially-life-threatening

New Zealand – Both sides of abortion debate meet at Parliament

Both sides of abortion debate meet at Parliament
25 Jul, 2018

Both sides of the abortion debate met on Parliament's front lawn today in an orderly demonstration of free speech.

The Voice for Life pro-life group laid out 13,285 pairs of baby booties on the lawn to represent the number of foetuses aborted in 2017.

Voice for Life national president Jacqui de Ruiter said the group decided to create the graphic display following the release of the latest abortion figures to illustrate how many potential lives were lost through abortion.

Continued: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12095065

New Zealand – Big Read: Abortion law reform – what’s at stake?

Big Read: Abortion law reform - what's at stake?
17 Jun, 2018
20 minutes to read
By: Dawn Picken

Abortion is in the spotlight again, after voters in Ireland voted overwhelmingly late last month to overturn the largely Catholic country's ban by 66.4 per cent to 33.6 per cent. The Emerald Isle's referendum comes as a law commission in New Zealand considers removing abortion from the Crimes Act. Bay of Plenty Times Weekend reporter Dawn Picken spoke with advocates, activists and women who've had or considered abortions about what decriminalising the procedure means to them.

*note: names of women who've had abortions have been changed to protect privacy.
Heartbreaking Pregnancy

Tania and Scott were thrilled when they learned they were pregnant with their second child. Everything was going well when the couple went for their 20-week ultrasound to learn the baby's sex. It was a boy, says Tania.

Continued: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12070558