A Brief History of Abortion Laws in New Zealand
Abortion Laws: Why we need a change
Having an Abortion in New Zealand
Illegal Abortions in New Zealand - a History Project
International Perspective - abortion in other countries
HISTORY PROJECT
Abortions in New Zealand women
before 1978
There are many untold stories of New Zealand women having abortions and ALRANZ would like to collect those experiences.
Until the 1970s abortion stories were mainly hidden. From time to time the story of an illegal abortion would receive publicity but mostly abortions were clandestine events. They had to be, because abortion was regarded as a crime, unless carried out to save the life of the mother. Both the abortionist and the woman could be prosecuted. Self abortion was also a crime.
Some New Zealand women travelled to Australia after court rulings there in 1969 (Melbourne) and 1971 (Sydney).
The law in New Zealand (or the interpretation of it) was challenged, by the opening of the Auckland Medical Aid Centre in Auckland in May 1974. This resulted in the Woolnough trial in 1975. This was followed by a Royal Commission and then Parliament amended the Crimes Act and passed the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act which came into effect on 1 April 1978.
Initially the law was very restrictive, in fact so restrictive that the Auckland Medical Aid Centre closed. Support services to help women having to travel to Australia were quickly formed such as SOS (Sisters Overseas Service). The situation improved somewhat with amendments to the Act in July 1978, but the Auckland Medical Aid Centre remained closed for another year until licence problems were resolved. It reopened in August 1979. Since then illegal abortion has been rare in New Zealand and the travel to Australia also diminished at this point.
Preserving our history is important. It is important that these stories prior to 1978 are told, so that we understand what previous generations endured. A younger generation has much to learn from the past. We will all benefit from this historical perspective.
Some common reactions are:
“But mine is just an ordinary story.”
“There were others worse off than me.”
“No-one would be interested in my story.”
“There was nothing special about my abortion.”
“It’s a thing of the past. Who would be interested?”
ALRANZ is very interested in all the stories of women having abortions before 1978. Perhaps you have a grandmother or an elderly relative and could ask her what it was like in her day. Perhaps you are a nurse who remembers the septic abortions that needed hospital treatment. Perhaps you were involved with someone having to travel to Australia.
How can you contribute?
You can write to us at Box 28-008, Wellington.
You can email us at msparrow@value.net.nz
Not everyone finds it easy to write about these things so if it is easer for you to talk about it, a trained interviewer is available to record your story.
The co-ordinators of the project are historian Beryl Hughes and ALRANZ National President Dr Margaret Sparrow.
Confidentiality will be respected. Some may be happy to use their name but others may like to use first name only or use a fictitious name. Your identity will be protected according to your wishes.
FURTHER READING:
Bradshaw J. Birth Secrets: Breaking the Silence of Hidden Pregnancies Auckland: Penguin Books; 1997 Case histories focusing on the psychological after effects of abortion by a psychologist who was pressured into having an illegal abortion at 19 yrs.
Ryan L, Ripper M, Butterfield B. We Women Decide: Women's Experience of Seeking Abortion in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania Adelaide: Flinders University;1994.
Messer E, May K. Back Rooms: Voices from the Illegal Abortion Era New York: Prometheus Books; 1994. ISBN 0-87975-876-7 Reprint of first edition published 1988 with 1994 prologue.
Baird B. "I had one too..": An oral History of Abortion in South Australia before 1970 Adelaide; Flinders University 1990. ISBN 0-7258-0481-5
Brookes B. Abortion in England 1900-1967 London: Croom Helm; 1988. ISBN 0-7099-5046-2 This book began as a PhD thesis by Dunedin historian Barbara Brookes.