The 2018 annual report of the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC) shows that there has been little change in abortion in New Zealand since last year.

Overall, the 2018 ASC report shows that the number of abortions and abortion rates remain similar to recent years, with a small increase in the number of abortions (13,285) and the abortion rate (13.7). Consistent with other years, most women who have abortions (57%) are already mothers, and 54% of abortions are for women aged 20-29 years.

Most women continue to have an abortion based on mental health grounds (97%) contained in the Crimes Act.  

This year’s report is published against the backdrop of the Government considering abortion law reform. The ASC notes that it believes the Law Commission briefing to government was “a fair and honest interpretation of abortion services throughout New Zealand.”

The Law Commission’s report presents three alternative legal models for treating abortion as a health issue. Regardless of model, the following changes have been proposed:

remove abortion from the Crimes Act

remove the requirement for abortions to be approved by two certifiying consultants (doctors).

Family Planning’s preference is for the model which trusts pregnant people, in consultation with their health providers, to make their own health decisions.