The number of abortions performed in New Zealand last year was the lowest since 2001.
Statistics New Zealand says 16,630 abortions were performed last year.
While that is 220 more than 10 years ago, the overall rate dropped from 19.2 for every 1000 women in 2009 to 18.1 in 2010. The highest age-group rate (33) was for women aged between 20 and 24.
For about 61% of women having an abortion last year it was their first; 56% were performed in the first nine weeks of pregnancy.
