In New Zealand, the number of abortions has increased significantly, with 17,785 reported in 2024. This is a 37% rise since 2019. The change began when the country decriminalized abortion in 2020. One of the reasons for this increase is the introduction of a telemedicine service called DECIDE in 2021.
With this service, women can have early abortions through a phone consultation. In 2024, 67% of the abortions performed were early abortions, which is a big jump from just 36% in 2020.
Simon Snook, the director of Magma Healthcare, believes that access to abortions should be better funded to ensure that everyone can get free abortions. He pointed out that the cost of the ultrasound needed before some abortions, which can range from 50 to 150 dollars, is a barrier for many people.
This article has been translated and simplified by artificial intelligence from a French article “Nouvelle-Zélande : les avortements en hausse suite à la dépénalisation et au lancement d’un service de télémédecine”
It may therefore contain errors. The French version is the reference version..