According to new data from Statistics New Zealand, 2011 saw the lowest number of abortions since 1995, revealing a continuing reduction in the number of unborn children killed before birth.
The total number of abortions reported in 2011 was 15,863, 767 less than in 2010 and the lowest total since 15,501 abortions were reported in 1999.
The abortion rate decreased from 18.1 per 1000 women of child-bearing age in 2010 to 17.3 in 2011. This is the lowest rate since 1995, when the rate was 16.1 per 1,000.