Actions

New Zealand passes landmark law to decriminalize abortion

Posted
and last updated

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand lawmakers have voted in favor of a landmark bill that treats abortion as a health issue rather than a crime.

Until Wednesday's vote, women were required to prove to a doctor that their pregnancy presented a danger to their physical or mental health before they could get an abortion.

Justice Minister Andrew Little says that forced most women to lie and caused unnecessary delays which added health risks.

The new law allows women up to 20 weeks pregnant to get an abortion and those over 20 weeks to get one with approval from a health practitioner.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

MondayMon

08/17/2026

Partly Cloudy

101° / 73°

0%

TuesdayTue

08/18/2026

Partly Cloudy

100° / 74°

0%

WednesdayWed

08/19/2026

Partly Cloudy

104° / 74°

0%

ThursdayThu

08/20/2026

Mostly Sunny

105° / 75°

0%

FridayFri

08/21/2026

Mostly Sunny

103° / 73°

0%

SaturdaySat

08/22/2026

Sunny

99° / 71°

0%

SundaySun

08/23/2026

Mostly Sunny

101° / 72°

0%

MondayMon

08/24/2026

Sunny

101° / 71°

0%