Media Release
21 July 2009

ProLife NZ welcomes the Government’s decision to suspend the folic acid scheme as it is the wrong way to approach the problem of folate deficiency.

An adequate intake of folate is required to lower the risk of babies being born with neural tube defects which include spina bifida. In 2003 there were estimated to be 180 babies with neural tube defects aborted in New Zealand.

John Forman, executive director of the Organisation for Rare Disorders was mentioned in the NZ Herald (20 July) saying that by mass medicating the country we would be able to reduce the number of abortions taking place in NZ. He went on to ask, “Who is going to take responsibility for a couple of classrooms of kids that are not going to be there – every year?”.

“We are glad to see the Organisation for Rare Disorders seeking to reduce our high abortion rate, however legislating on the addition of folate to bread is the wrong way to approach the problem,” said Prolife NZ National Director Andy Moore.

“However mass medicating the country is not the key to reducing our high abortion rate,” he said. “There are other more practical and effective steps which can be taken. Properly informing women who are seeking advice on abortion and ensuring that they are offered their free ultrasound scan will go a long way in helping address our country’s abysmal abortion rate.”

Prolife NZ encourages pregnant mothers in New Zealand to ensure that their intake of folate is sufficient to provide the child growing inside them with the nutrients essential to its development.

ENDS

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

Media Release
21 July 2009

Prolife NZ is today setting the record straight on the Right to Life vs. the Crown court case, following a misleading press release from Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRANZ).

In their 19 July press release Dr. Margaret Sparrow cites the cost incurred by the Crown in the high-profile case. The Abortion Supervisory Council (ASC) reports that the cost of the case to date is $280,000.

“While ALRANZ is accusing Right to Life of causing this huge bill to the tax-payer, the reverse is true,” said Prolife NZ National Director Andy Moore. “Justice Miller has made it clear that a large number of abortions performed in New Zealand may be unlawful – therefore it is the Crown that must be held accountable.”

“That the case has been so drawn-out is evidence that Right to Life is onto something. If the ASC had been doing its job there would have been no need for this lengthy and costly court case. However Justice Miller found in June 2008 that, ‘The [ASC] has misinterpreted its functions and powers’. If anyone is to blame for this quarter of a million dollars expense to the country during the recession, it is the ASC,” he said.

“Dr. Sparrow claims that pro-life group Right to Life wants women to have no choice, however this is blatantly untrue,” he said. “In actual fact, Right to Life wishes to ensure that women are able to make an informed decision regarding the precious life growing within them.”

“ALRANZ is a small group with approximately 200 members,” he said. “How can they possibly claim to represent the opinion of the majority of New Zealanders when they espouse such extremist views?”

In contrast, Prolife NZ is a newly established and vibrant youth-based group with a fast-growing membership from all over Aotearoa, New Zealand. Young people wishing to join Prolife NZ are encouraged to visit the group’s website, www.prolife.org.nz.

ENDS

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

Media Release
19 July 2009

Prolife NZ is looking forward to Justice Miller issuing declaratory orders tomorrow that will clearly define the responsibilities of the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC).

The case which will be held in the High Court in Wellington is scheduled for Monday 20 July. Justice Miller will at this time make declaratory orders following his ruling in the July 2008 case, Right to Life vs. the Crown.

At present, the ASC permits over 98% of abortions to be approved by certifying consultants using the mental-health clause in the abortion law.

Justice Miller stated in July 2008 that “There is reason to doubt the lawfulness of many abortions authorised by certifying consultants,” and that “The [ASC] has misinterpreted its functions and powers”. However he did not issue explicit declaratory orders. Declaratory orders will give clearer direction to the ASC in how they apply the abortion law in New Zealand. Clearly defined declaratory orders will also mean that Parliament is able to ensure that the ASC is fulfilling its duties.

The ASC has determined to ignore Justice Miller’s July 2008 statement, contacting all certifying consultants and recommending that they continue approving abortions as before – despite the Justice’s concern. The ASC has also voiced opposition to the Justice issuing declaratory orders, claiming that they are unnecessary and may lead to confusion.

“These are clearly the tactics of a committee that are scared. Prolife NZ is surprised that the committee should resort to such a desperate and underhanded measure,” said Prolife NZ National Director Andy Moore.

“We welcome this court case, as a positive outcome will result in the law being applied as it was originally intended. This will in turn result in fewer women being hurt by abortion and fewer babies being killed”.

ENDS

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

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