Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Six hundred March for Life in New Zealand's Capital

Six hundred March for Life in New Zealand's Capital

Six hundred people from all over New Zealand joyfully walked the streets of Wellington on Saturday, marching in defence of human life from conception.

The National March for Life, the first in the nation's Capital since 1974, was organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act (1977) and remember the more than half a million babies whose lives have been lost by abortion.

The theme of the March for Life was love them both.

In a joy-filled atmosphere, families and individuals of all ages and religious backgrounds from the Far North to the Deep South gathered at the Civic Centre near Wellington's waterfront.

Led by five teenage girls and accompanied by upbeat singing, the large group, holding pink and blue balloons, made their way to Parliament where they assembled on the grass for entertainment and speeches.

Ensuring the public watching the March were left with a positive message, the newly launched Gianna's Choice Mobile Centre followed the procession. The rear of the van has a large advertisement, which informs abortion vulnerable women that they are not alone.

Speakers on the steps of Parliament included Gordon Copeland, former Minister of Parliament; David Light, silver Commonwealth Games boxing medallist; and Kate Cormack, Vice President of Voice for Life.

Hillary Kieft, a powerful pro-life voice and an advocate for parental notification laws, spoke of her own abortion experience as a teenager.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"I know the heartache and the pain and the destruction and the depression and the suicide attempts of killing your baby" she explained.

"I was young. I was scared. And I was selfish. It took me over 20 years to overcome and come to a place of healing."

Mother of Divine Mercy Refuge youth, entertained the large crowd. The young people come from families who have endured extreme violence. Many are abortion survivors. Hope and joy radiated from the group despite the difficult circumstances they have had to live in their lives.

To conclude, 500 pink and blue balloons were released. Each balloon represented 1,000 pre-born babies who have lost their life to abortion in New Zealand since 1974, when the first abortion facility opened in Auckland.

The organisers wanted to mark the historic moment in New Zealand's history by uniting all those who want to end abortion.

"Those participating in the March are not clanging cymbals," Kaufman said. "These people walk the talk every day of their lives."

"They leave the March energised, ready to continue serving women and families and be a voice for the unborn out of great love."

Plans are afoot to make the National March for Life an annual event.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.