New Zealand
Abortion Laws
A brief history of
abortion in New Zealand >>
Abortion laws:
why we need a change >>
Decriminalisation >>
Political Parties in
New Zealand
Labour Party
The Labour Party has a policy of reducing unwanted pregnancies but no specific policy on abortion. Members exercise a conscience vote in Parliament. The leader and other high ranking MPs are all liberal on abortion, some more so than others. All current women MPs are liberal. Most males are supportive. When he was Minister of Justice Phil Goff promised a review but never delivered.
National Party
The National Party has no specific policy on abortion and members exercise a conscience vote in Parliament. More conservatives in this party. PM John Key says that he does not wish to debate abortion in the face of economic adversity. Former leader Bill English is anti-abortion. His wife Dr Mary English is well known for her antiabortion activities. Dr Paul Hutchison is a former member of the Abortion Supervisory Committee and a moderate.
Green Party
The only party with a liberal policy on abortion. The Women’s Policy states that the Party will review abortion services to ensure equity of access for women throughout New Zealand. However, the policy does not address decriminalisation. Most MPs are supportive.
ACT New Zealand
ACT promotes individual responsibility but has no specific policy on abortion. Members exercise a conscience vote in Parliament. Epsom candidate John Banks is a conservative on abortion.
New Zealand First Party
The party supports "family values" but has no specific policy on abortion. Very conservative but no longer in Parliament.
United Future
Peter Dunne is a moderate.
Progressive
Jim Anderton is pro-choice and has a detailed policy statement outlining why. However, he is not standing in the 2011 election.
Maori Party
No official policy. Conservative.
Mana
Mana's sole MP, Hone Harawira, has a mixed record on reproductive rights votes in Parliament. However, in Family First's assessment of candidates, he's listed as opposing key anti-choice measures including: "Unborn child has a right to life" and parental notification for under 16s. Good! We heard back from Mana about their policies on reproductive rights, and they don't have any yet, telling us this: "Policy development in the area of reproductive rights is still ongoing and will not be completed until after the election." The party leadership is generally liberal on abortion.