Media Release
23 June 2009

Prolife NZ welcomes the New Zealand Abortion Statistics for 2008 which were released on 16 June by Statistics New Zealand.

The report showed that the number of abortions had dropped from 18,380 in 2007, to 17,940 in 2008. This means 440 fewer unborn babies have been killed and 440 fewer women have been affected by abortion.

“The hard work of pro-life groups throughout New Zealand is paying off” says Andy Moore, National Director of Prolife NZ. “Just look at the recent Gallup poll in the United States indicating 51% of Americans identify themselves as being pro-life. The debate is changing. People have greater access to the facts about abortion and there is a greater awareness of what it really is,” he said.

Justice Miller’s ruling that “there is reason to doubt the lawfulness of many abortions” has also helped raise public awareness on the issue of abortion, alerting New Zealanders to the chilling fact that we essentially have abortion on demand.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel, however this is no time to become complacent,” says Mr. Moore. “More than ever, it is imperative that young people throughout New Zealand speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, those who are still growing inside their mothers’ wombs.”

“We are aiming to see an even lower figure in the 2009 abortion statistics,” he said.

ENDS

For More Information, contact Prolife NZ:
Andy Moore – National Director
Mob. 021 1140 751 Email: andy@prolife.org.nz

Media Release
13 June 2009

Prolife NZ is disappointed to hear that the American designed product IntelliGender test kit will be coming to New Zealand as soon as the 22 June. This product will allow women to take a test at only 8 weeks gestation, which will tell then indicate the sex of their unborn child. ProLife NZ is concerned that this will lead to an increase in the number of early abortions in NZ.

There is concern that women will make abortion decisions based on the sex of the child. If women wait and view the ultrasound, research from the US indicates that a high percentage of abortion-minded women will go ahead with the pregnancy. Prolife NZ is encouraging women to instead wait a few weeks for their free ultrasound if they wish to learn the sex of their unborn child.

“The reliability of this test is in question, with only a 90% accuracy rate,” says Prolife NZ National Director Andy Moore. “It is the first step towards abortions on the grounds of sex selection in our country.”

“The current law only allows abortions on the mental health grounds,” he says. “How then can the health authorities allow abortions when the women involved may only want to terminate because they are pregnant with a child of a particular gender they don’t want?”

Prolife NZ calls for the Minister of Health Tony Ryall to ensure that this product is not allowed to
be sold in New Zealand.

ENDS

For More Information, contact Prolife NZ
Andy Moore – National Director
Mob. 021 1140 751 Email: andy@prolife.org.nz

Media Release
14 May 2009

Prolife NZ welcomes the actions of the Court of Appeal in dismissing the appeal of the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC) on Tuesday.

When the case was heard in April 2008, the High Court did not make declaratory orders which meant that the appeal was unable to proceed, with the Court of Appeal ruling that it was outside their jurisdiction.

“This is a step forward for the protection of the unborn child in New Zealand.” said Andy Moore,National Director of Prolife NZ. “Some media outlets have been reporting that the appeal has been thrown out, but this is not the case.”

“Both the ASC and Right to Life are keen for the declaratory orders to be decided upon sooner rather than later, and we can expect an early date for the High Court case. After the High Court has ruled on the issue of the declaratory orders, the appeal will return to the Court of Appeal.” he said.

Justice Miller’s April 2008 High Court judgement stands, and the original case will not be re-heard.

ENDS

For More Information, contact Prolife NZ:
Andy Moore – National Director
Mob. 021 1140 751 Email: andy@prolife.org.nz

Media Release
11 May 2009

Prolife NZ is opposed to the under-handed tactics being employed by anti-life group, the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand. Yesterday (10 May 2009), Dr. Margaret Sparrow of the ALRANZ made a press release, stating that Members of Parliament must publicly support the Abortion Supervisory Committee in its court battle this week against the anti-abortion group Right to Life.

“What loose set of morals could an organisation have, that they would attempt to put pressure on the decision of the court” said Andy Moore, National Director of Prolife NZ. “The court exists as an independent body with the responsibility of upholding our country’s laws, and seeing that justice prevails.”

“ALRANZ launches into its press release, promoting the misconception that this case is about the ASC vs. Right to Life. On the contrary, it is the ASC appealing the ruling of Justice Miller of the High Court, who ruled that the ASC had misinterpreted its functions. Right to Life will be represented at the court by their Queen’s Counsel, Peter McKensie who will be supporting the original ruling that the ASC has been allowing many unlawful abortions and also appealing the ruling that unborn children are not persons.”

ALRANZ has misrepresented Right to Life’s case, claiming that they are aiming to end access to safe abortions. However, Right to Life is making the case that New Zealand’s abortion law should be applied correctly, as it was intended when it was passed in 1977 – nothing more.

“They make a vague reference to Right to Life challenging abortion counselling in New Zealand in an attempt to paint the organisation in a bad light. However the truth behind this statement is that Justice Miller confirmed Right to Life’s concern that the certifying consultants (abortion counsellors) in New Zealand were indeed not carrying out their duty in a satisfactory manner.”

“Dr. Sparrow accuses Right to Life of exploiting New Zealand’s abortion law through the courts. This is incorrect. Ironically, it is the certifying consultants who are exploiting the mental health ground, and allowing so many unlawful abortions to be performed.”

Prolife NZ reminds Members of Parliament that the anti-life extremist group ALRANZ does not represent the consensus on abortion law in New Zealand. A comparatively small anti-life lobby group, ALRANZ consists of approximately 200 members. ALRANZ’s extreme anti-life position is made clear, as they call for abortion on demand in their press release. “Their recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt, as they represent only a relatively small number of people in New Zealand”, Mr. Moore said.

ENDS

For More Information, contact Prolife NZ:
Andy Moore – National Director
Mob. 021 1140 751 Email: andy@prolife.org.nz

Media Release
23 March 2009

Prolife NZ is deeply concerned that the Family Planning Association plans to provide medical abortions at its 30 branches throughout New Zealand.

“It is unethical for a group to be in our schools promoting abortion as a preferable option, and then turning around and offering the service at their clinics,” says Andy Moore, National Director of Prolife NZ.

“There is something wrong when you have a group offering sex-toys for sale on their website, also queuing up for an abortion licence.”

“Our abortion rate is already through the roof, with over 18,000 abortions performed in New Zealand every year, and the trend is upwards.”

Currently, there are 26 abortion clinics operating in New Zealand.

“Their claim that an additional 30 clinics would not increase the total number of abortions is absolutely ridiculous. It will do nothing to reduce the unacceptably high number of NZ abortions”

The Family Planning Association intends to use the abortion drug mifegyne (RU-486) to carry out first trimester abortions throughout New Zealand.

“RU-486 has by no means been proven to be safe for women, and yet this is the drug that the Family Planning Association is intending to use if its application is granted,” says Mr Moore.

Prolife NZ is calling for the Abortion Supervisory Committee to refuse the Family Planning Association’s application for a licence.

ENDS

For More Information, contact Prolife NZ:
Andy Moore – National Director
Mob. 021 1140 751 Email: andy@prolife.org.nz