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New Zealand’s abortion rate increased in 2007

June 17, 2008
stsuff.co.nz

A week after a High Court judicial review cast doubt on the legality of many abortions, latest figures released today show a slight increase in the number of terminations.

In his judicial review released last week High Court Justice Forrest Miller questioned how the law was being implemented.

The review was initiated by Right to Life New Zealand, which argued New Zealand had an unlawful "abortion on demand" system.

Statistics New Zealand acting government statistician Dallas Welch said 18,380 abortions were performed in New Zealand in the year ending December 2007 -- 2.5 per cent more than 2006.

The general abortion rate (abortions per 1000 women aged 15-44 years) also increased from 19.6 in 2006 to 20.1, Mrs Welch said.

• Read the complete article.