Abortions will no longer be punishable in New Zealand. The Wellington parliament passed a law today. Previously, abortion was considered a criminal offense in New Zealand under a 1961 law, and abortion doctors could face up to 14 years in prison.
Although the law was never applied and women were not punished for abortion, Secretary of Health Andrew Little stressed the need to amend the law. „As of today, abortions are properly treated as a health issue,“ he said. The new regulation makes it easier for women to seek advice and treatment.
