Radio New Zealand

The Abortion Supervisory Committee says there is an ongoing problem over the number of doctors who can authorise abortions.

The committee appeared before Parliament's justice and electoral committee on Thursday, the first time it has done so in 10 years.

The number of certified consultants has fallen from 196 in 2009 to 175 in 2011 and two mid-sized cities have no doctor who can authorise abortions.

Committee chair Professor Dame Linda Holloway told MPs that its research into how many doctors are planning to get certified or renew their certificates is worrying.

She says many younger doctors are not coming forward to be certified.

Dame Linda says the committee also has concerns that the number of publicly-funded tubal ligations, for long-term contraception, is decreasing.