High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Abortion in New Zealand is currently legal in cases where the pregnant woman faces a danger to her life, physical or mental health, or if there is a risk of the fetus being handicapped, in the event of the continuation of her pregnancy. In effect this legal framework has created a situation of abortion on demand in New Zealand. Regulations in New Zealand require that abortions after 12 weeks gestation be performed in a licensed institution, which is generally understood to be a hospital. Abortions must be approved by two doctors one of whom must be a gynaecologist or obstetrician. Counselling is optional if the woman desires it, but is not mandatory within current abortion law