MEDIA RELEASE
2 April 2009

Massey University Study on Abortion Flawed

Family First NZ says that a Massey University Department of Communication, Journalism & Marketing mail survey of 1000 New Zealanders on the topic of abortion is flawed and designed to achieve a pre-conceived ideology.

Participants were asked whether they thought it was right or wrong for a woman to have an abortion if the woman’s health was seriously endangered by the pregnancy, the woman became pregnant as a result of rape, if there was a strong chance of a serious defect in the baby, or if the family had a very low income and couldn’t afford any more children.

“But the research has failed to assess views on the most common reason for abortions – that is the simple choice of a woman to abort the child under the guise of ‘mental health’ grounds. This is the basis of 99% of the 18,000 plus abortions performed in NZ,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The researchers have allowed their ideology to get in the way of balanced research and as a result have ended up with a distorted view suggesting that NZ’ers views on abortion are liberal. This is a completely unwarranted assessment.”

“Interestingly enough, the closest category to ‘choice’ is the low income scenario, and only a 1/3’rd of the participants fully supported that decision, which would suggest that NZ’ers are not as liberal as the researchers are making out.”

“Massey University researchers have attempted to paint a picture of the acceptance of abortion, but flawed questioning and a probing into the figures suggests a completely different message,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“Massey University receives a ‘should do much better’ grade for this assignment.”

ENDS

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