Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This is the fourth annual report on abortion services the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora has published.
The Ministry plays an important role in ensuring that abortion services are accessible, equitable, person-centred, high-quality, and timely.
The Abortion Services Aotearoa New Zealand: Annual Report provides a snapshot of abortion services for the 2024 calendar year. The 2025 report shows that access to abortion services has increased overall since 2023, with more services provided in 2024 compared to previous years.
There has also been an increase in both the number and rate of early medical abortions. In 2024 more women on average were able to access services earlier in their pregnancies, both in person and through telehealth services, than in 2023. This is important because early access is associated with lower risk to the women accessing services.
Some key indicators for better accessibility and equity noted in the report are:
- a continued increase in early medical abortion (EMA) access. Continuing the trend from 2022, EMA represented the majority of abortion procedures accessed in 2024
- continued decrease in average gestation at the time of abortion
- 86% of abortions occurred at 10 weeks gestation or fewer
- greater access to telehealth services for those in rural areas.
