The Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) is New Zealand's national abortion-rights advocacy group in existence since 1971. Since the decriminalisation of abortion in 2020, the organisation continues to monitor and lobby for changes to the law. The organisation is based in Wellington, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and has its own web site.
Founding of ALRANZ
The Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) was founded in response to organising by anti-abortion rights groups, such as the Catholic organisation the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC). The campaigns of these anti-abortion rights groups provoked a strong reaction, with some questioning the veracity of their claims about the medical consequences of abortion and the experiences of overseas countries with liberal laws. Pro-abortion rights supporters perceived suffering of unhappily pregnant women seeking abortion and considered that children needed to be born to mothers who wanted them and could support them. On 4 August 1970, a group of approximately 60 concerned individuals met in Auckland to form ALRANZ.
The founding meeting in 1970 was chaired by Wayne Facer, an Auckland University administrator, who became the first research officer for ALRANZ. At the meeting, it was decided that a steering committee should be formed, charged with drafting aims and objectives. The steering committee reported back to a meeting held in the Unitarian Church, Ponsonby Road on 15 September 1970. At that meeting ALRANZ endorsed the draft aims, and a constitution was prepared to establish ALRANZ as an incorporated society. Some of the early members included family planning doctor and pediatrician, Dr Alice Bush (1914–1974). As at 1975, the following served on the Advisory Council for ALRANZ.
Dr. Ross Blue, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Auckland
Dr. D. P. Boshier, Associate Professor Reproductive Biology, University of Auckland Prof. R. B. Elliott, Head of Dept Paediatrics, University of Auckland Dr. J. P. B. Fitzgerald, O&G Dept, University of Otago Rev. Prof. Lloyd Geering, Professor of Religious Studies, Victoria University of Wellington Prof. R. A. M. Gregson, Professor of Psychology, University of Canterbury Dr. V. J. Hartfield, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Wanganui Hospital Prof. J. I. Hubbard, Professor of Neurophysiology, University of Otago Prof. B. James, Chairman Dept Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Prof. J.R. McCreary, Professor of Social Work, Victoria University of Wellington Dr. R. D. MacDiarmid, General Practitioner, Dunedin Rev Dr. F. W. R. Nichol, Professor of Theology, Knox College, Dunedin Prof. J. E. Ritchie, Professor of Psychology, University of Waikato Prof. J. L. Roberts, Professor School of Political Science, Victoria University of Wellington Prof. J. L. Ryan, Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury Prof. H. H. Schaefer, Professor of Psychology, University of Auckland Prof. J. D. Sinclair, Professor Dept of Physiology, University of Auckland Prof. A. J. W. Taylor, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington Prof. A. M. O. Veale, Professor of Human Genetics, University of Auckland Prof. Peter Webb, Professor School of Law, University of Auckland Prof. John Scott Werry, Professor Dept of Psychiatry, University of Auckland
Leadership
Dame Margaret Sparrow served as president from 1975 to 1980, and again from 1984 until March 2011. Sparrow was a gynecologist in Wellington and also had long-standing involvement with the Family Planning Association of New Zealand until her retirement. In March 2011, Dr Morgan Healey took over the role of president. Healey had until then served as ALRANZ National Secretary. In June 2015, Ms Terry Bellamak stepped into the role. A former executive at Goldman Sachs (USA), Bellamak took up New Zealand citizenship in 2011 and studied law in the country. As of December 2021, Dr Tracy Morison has served as ALRANZ president. Morison was trained as a psychologist in South Africa and works as an academic at Massey University. Her expertise are in sexual and reproductive decision-making, and she has published extensively in this area.
Policy position
ALRANZ lobbied for total decriminalisation of abortion in New Zealand for 40 years, a goal that was finally realised in 2020. Despite the law change, ALRANZ continues to lobby for improvements to the law and to monitor its implementation. The organisation continues to lobby for the following legal changes: