Key Takeaways
- A 37 percent increase in abortion numbers in New Zealand since decriminalization in 2020 reflects improved access to care, not increased demand.
- The launch of DECIDE, the National Abortion Telehealth Service, in 2021, has likely contributed to the increase in abortion numbers.
- Better access to contraception and sex education may have contributed to a decline in abortion numbers in the 2010s.
- While access to abortion care in New Zealand is considered good, there is a need for more funding and reduced associated costs.
- The goal is to make abortion care completely free, including reducing or eliminating the cost of ultrasound scans required for some abortions.
Introduction to Abortion Numbers in New Zealand
A recent rise in abortion numbers in New Zealand has been reported, with a 37 percent increase since abortion was decriminalized in 2020. The numbers have risen from 12,948 in 2019 to 17,785 in 2024. However, according to Magma Healthcare director Simon Snook, this increase likely reflects improved access to care rather than an increase in demand. The Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 and the Crimes Act 1961 were amended in March 2020, decriminalizing abortion and making it more accessible.
The Role of DECIDE in Increased Abortion Numbers
The launch of DECIDE, the National Abortion Telehealth Service, in 2021, has likely contributed to the increase in abortion numbers. DECIDE allows for the arrangement of an early medical abortion over the phone, making it more convenient and accessible for those seeking abortion care. The service is funded by Health New Zealand and run by Magma Healthcare and Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. In 2024, 67 percent of abortions were early medical, compared to 36 percent in 2020. This shift towards early medical abortions is likely due to the increased accessibility and convenience offered by DECIDE.
Historical Context of Abortion Numbers in New Zealand
According to Snook, the current abortion numbers are not unusual and are similar to those seen in the 2000s. The decline in abortion numbers in the 2010s was likely due to better access to contraception, such as the Jadelle implant, which became government-funded in 2010, and the Mirena and Jaydess intrauterine device (IUD), which became government-funded in 2019. Better sex education also likely played a role in the decline, as there had been a decrease in risky sexual behaviors. Snook believes that the current abortion numbers reflect the country’s actual need for abortion care, rather than an increase in demand.
Access to Abortion Care in New Zealand
Snook considers access to abortion care in New Zealand to be good, especially since 86 percent of abortions were provided at 10 weeks’ gestation or fewer in 2024. However, he notes that there is a need for more funding and reduced associated costs. While it is free to terminate a pregnancy, there can be associated costs, such as the cost of an ultrasound scan required to determine the gestational age of the pregnancy. Snook believes that these costs should be eliminated to ensure that abortion care is truly free and accessible to all.
Future Improvements to Abortion Care
To improve access to abortion care, Snook suggests increasing the availability of local abortion providers, such as primary care providers and midwives. However, he notes that there is a lack of funding for these providers to deliver abortion care. Snook also believes that reducing or eliminating the cost of ultrasound scans required for some abortions would be a significant step towards making abortion care completely free. By addressing these issues, New Zealand can ensure that abortion care is accessible and affordable for all those who need it.