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.
Woman aged 20-24 had more abortions than any other aged group.
Ms Welch said the median age for women having an abortion had remained stable over the last 20 years, at around 25-years-old.
"It is important to note that comparisons over time in abortion rates and in the number of abortions are affected by the legal environment and the provision of abortion services," she said.
Under New Zealand law, abortions can only be granted if a certifying consultant confirms the continuance of the pregnancy would result in serious danger to the mother's life or health.
Women's Health Action Trust director Jo Fitzpatrick said the idea New Zealand had abortion on demand was "ridiculous".
Women had to see two certifying consultants before receiving authorisation.
Ms Fitzpatrick said the trust would welcome a revision of the existing law.
"We would see this as moving to decriminalise abortion and improving access to services so that this difficult decision is easier and not harder for women."
- NZPA
