WELLINGTON The number of abortions in New Zealand might have dropped, but thats no reason for complacency, pro-life figures warn. There were 17,940 abortions in 2008, down from 18,380 the previous year, according to Statistics New Zealand.
The peak was 18,510 abortions in 2003. There were 18,210 abortions in 2004, 17,530 in 2005 and 17,934 in 2006.
Family Life Internationals Brendan Malone welcomed the latest drop, saying any reduction in numbers of lives needlessly harmed by abortion is always good news.
But with 50 unborn babies being lost every day, abortion remains this countrys biggest human rights issue, Mr Malone said.
In the light of recent advances in research, which show the true harm that abortion causes to women, and the latest medical science, which clearly points to the humanity of the unborn child, we need to start asking some very hard questions, he said.
Right to Life spokesman Ken Orr said fewer abortions was good news for unborn children and mothers. The community is starting to recognise the harm done by abortion, Mr Orr said, adding that it is the justice issue of our era.
The fact that 98 per cent of abortions are approved on mental health grounds is reason to question their lawfulness, he said, referring to a 2008 High Court ruling along those lines.
Right to Life believes that many innocent and healthy unborn children have been deprived of their life unlawfully, he said.
The organisation is seeking declaratory orders in the High Court that the Abortion Supervisory Committee hold certifying consultants accountable for the lawfulness of abortions authorised.
Right to Life is also concerned at the number of women having repeat abortions.
In 2008, 37 per cent of abortions were for women who had already had one or more. In 1998, that figure was significantly lower, at 31 per cent.
The abortion ratio per known pregnancy, though, has fallen every year since a 2003 peak of 24.7 per cent to 21.7 per cent in 2008.
When compared with other low-fertility countries, New Zealands general abortion rate at 19.7 per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 rates higher than that of Scotland, the Netherlands, France, England/Wales and Germany.
The rate is similar to those in Australia and the United States and lower than Swedens.
