Abortion law in New Zealand
What the law in New Zealand allows, under which conditions and where legal care is provided, with the law it is based on, a link to the source and the date we last verified it.
The law at a glance
- Status
- Legal on request up to a gestational limit
- Gestational limit
- 20 weeks since the last period
- Grounds
- On request within the limit; later when a practitioner considers it clinically appropriate
- Waiting period
- None
- Parental consent for minors
- Not required
- Counseling requirement
- Offered
- Law and source
- Abortion Legislation Act 2020
www.legislation.govt.nz - Verified on
Status
- Legal on request up to a gestational limit
- Legal on broad social or economic grounds
- Legal only on specific grounds
- Prohibited
Gestational limit
- Counted from the first day of the last period
- Counted from conception
- No gestational limit set in the law
Waiting period
- No waiting period
Parental consent for minors
- Not required
Counseling requirement
- Mandatory counseling
- Counseling offered, not mandatory
Telehealth
- Medication abortion by telehealth is permitted under national rules
- Medication abortion by telehealth is not permitted
What the law says, in plain language
This summary describes the law as it is written and as official health services apply it. Where a court decision or official guidance changes how the law works in practice, it is listed with its source.
Gestational limit
The latest stage of pregnancy at which the law permits abortion on request or on each ground, and the way the law counts the weeks. Read how weeks are counted in our guide to abortion gestational limits.
- Gestational limit
- 20 weeks since the last period
Grounds
The reasons the law accepts, the stage up to which each applies and who confirms them.
- Grounds
- On request within the limit; later when a practitioner considers it clinically appropriate
Steps before care
Any waiting period, counseling requirement, written consent or medical certificate the law requires before care can be provided.
- Waiting period
- None
- Counseling requirement
- Offered
Minors
Whether a person under the age of majority needs consent or notification of a parent or guardian, and any alternative route the law provides, such as a court or a health authority.
- Parental consent for minors
- Not required
Providers
Which professionals and which facilities may provide care, and whether conscientious objection is regulated.
Cost and insurance
Costs depend on the method, the stage of pregnancy and whether care is provided in a public or a private facility. Each range shows its source. Read our abortion cost guide and see abortion funds for help paying.
Typical cost range
Free for residents; patients from abroad pay the provider fee
Source Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand
- Covered by public health insurance
- Covered for residents only
- Partly covered
- Not covered
Public services
Official health services that provide care or information, taken from public registries and official websites.
-
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Support organization- Verified on
Verified clinics and organizations
Clinics and support organizations whose information comes from official registries or their own published information. Every entry shows its source and verification date.
-
DECIDE, National Abortion Telehealth Service
Telehealth service where legal- Methods offered
- Medication abortion
- Languages spoken by staff
- English
- Source
- www.decide.org.nz
- Verified on
Travel notes
Information for people coming from another country: whether facilities accept patients from abroad, which documents are usually requested, typical costs for non-residents and the languages spoken. Our travel for abortion guide explains how to plan legal care abroad.
- Accepts patients from abroad
- Providers in every region
- Languages spoken by staff
- EnglishMāori
Helplines and emergency numbers
Every number is checked at its official source. A number we cannot verify is not shown.
Law source and verification
Laws change. We check this card against its sources regularly and whenever a change is announced. If you see an error, write to [email protected] and read our sources and editorial policy.
- Law
- Abortion Legislation Act 2020
- Official text
- www.legislation.govt.nz
- Compared with
- WHO Global Abortion Policies DatabaseCenter for Reproductive Rights
- Verified on
Questions about the law in New Zealand
Is abortion legal in New Zealand?
The status at the top of this card gives the answer in one line, and the sections below explain the limit, the grounds and the steps the law requires.
Until which week can I get an abortion in New Zealand?
The gestational limit field shows the week and how the law counts it. If you are past the limit, the checker shows the nearest jurisdictions where care is legal at your stage.
Can people from other countries get care in New Zealand?
The travel notes say whether facilities accept patients from abroad, which documents they usually ask for and how costs differ for non-residents.
Is this card current?
The verified on date shows when we last checked the card against the official text. When the law changes, we update the card and publish the change in our abortion law news.
Is this legal or medical advice?
No. This card is general information about the law. Medical decisions are made together with a doctor.