New Zealand. Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion

Date: 1950-2000

From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers

Reference: PAColl-7327-1-115

Description: Photographs related to political parties, political aid, and controls, taken and collected by the Evening Post. Images taken in New Zealand and abroad, by a range of photographers, between 1950 and 2000. Contains images related to government investigations, including the Royal Commission to Inquire into Accident Compensation. Includes images related to the Asian and Pacific Council (ASPAC). Images relating to political patries are arranged alphabetically from C to V Quantity: 1 box(es) of prints, grouped in folders.

Date: 1970 - 1979

By: Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (N.Z.)

Reference: Eph-C-ABORTION-1970s

Description: Includes: Abortion; a woman's democratic right. Protest meeting, Wellington High School Hall. Monday July 19; March, Friday July 14 [1978]. (2 copies) "Abortion; a woman's right to choose". [Newspaper of 8 pages, probably an extract from a university magazine. 1972]. Abortion Action Day. Friday September 15. Throw out the restrictive abortion laws. Repeal the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act. [1978]. (2 copies) "Abortion and women's rights". WONAAC newsletter. Newsprint. 1974. (2 copies) Abortion is a woman's right. Supplement [to "Salient" 5 April 1976. 4 pages]. (2 copies) Abortion rally on the opening of parliament. Wednesday 23rd June. March assembles Pigeon Park. 12 pm. Repeal the abortion laws. [June 1976]. (2 copies). According to Roth catalogue slip, this poster was printed by Robyn and Jill, Herstory Press, and signed by Chris Poland. Abortion Rights Committee. Roll up, roll up. ARC fundrainsing concert, Town Hall Sun July 2 [1978]. (2 copies) Auckland W.E.A. Seminar, Maclaurin Hall, University of Auckland, Saturday 24 April 1971. "Contraception, abortion & human rights". Speakers Prof G Bonham, Prof G C Liggins, Prof A H McNaughton, Dr Carol Shand. Backstreet Theatre Group travelling NZ. Abortion a woman's right to choose? Admission free. [1976] (Three copies of this, all slightly different - Wellington, Rotorua, and Taupo) COACTION. A womb of one's own? Not according to this man!? [Frank Gill]. A woman's womb is private property! [1977] (2 copies) COACTION. Wanted for women! This man's vote! {Richard Prebble]. A woman's womb is private property. [1977] COACTION. Wanted for women! This man's vote! [Hugh Watt]. 1977. COACTION. Wanted for women! This man's vote! [David Lange]. A woman's womb is private property! [1977]. COACTION. Pregnancy: the way you want it? Will he vote for your rights? [Jim McLay]. A woman's womb is private property! [1977] COACTION. Pregnancy: the way you want it? Will he vote for your rights? [Merv Wellington]. A woman's womb is private property!. [1977]. COACTION. Pregnancy: the way you want it? Will he vote for your rights? [2 other unidentified politicians]. A woman's womb is private property! [1977]. COACTION. A Woman's womb is private property. Will he vote for state control? [Rob Muldoon]. [1977] (2 copies) A Craccum supplement. March 31. International Abortion Action Day. [1979]. (2 copies) Defend women's right to abortion. Rally May 19 at the opening of Parliament. Oppose the Royal Commission's recommendations. [1977?] Don't believe all you've been told about the new abortion law. Here are the facts. NZ Truth, 6 June 1978, page 15. The fight for women's rights! Abortion - the right to choose. NZ Tribune supplement, September 1978, pages 1-4. If Muldoon could get pregnant, abortion would be legal. [1979]. (2 copies) "The knitting needle bill; or, A trip abroad (a period piece)". 1976. (3 copies) March for safe legal abortion. March 8, International Women's Day. Assemble Pigon Park. Dance - Come to March 8 Social evening. [1978?] March 8: Fight for legal abortion. International Women's Day. [Sticker/ banner. 1978]. (2 copies) March 8 Committee. Safe legal abortion our right! International Women's Day [1978]. (3 different copies) National Women's Abortion Action Conference, July 14-15. Union Hall, Victoria University, Wellington. [1973] (2 copies) NZUSA Women's Rights Action Committee. Abortion is a Woman's Woman's Woman's Woman's Woman's democratic right! [1978. Dated from Roth catalogue slips]. NZUSA Women's Rights Action Committee. International Women's Day supplement. March 8 [1978]. NZUSA. Oppose the Royal Commission. 1893 votes for women; 1977 Abortion a democratic right/ 1893-1977: The struggle continues! [1977] (2 copies, one as page 9 of "Salient" 12 September 1977) NZUSA for Wellington COACTION. Oppose Royal Commission. Support national protest weekend July 8-10. [1977]. New Zealand University Students Association. "... a pernicious piece of legislation ..." - Martin Finlay, Minister of Justice. That is what Martyn Finlay thinks of Gerard Wall's Hospitals Amendment Act 1975. Published by the New Zealand University Students' Association, PO Box 6368, Te Aro, Wellington [1975?] NZUSA Women's Rights Action Committee. Why must women suffer? Repeal all repressive abortion laws. March 31, International Abortion Action Day. [1979]. Repeal Contraception, Sterilisation & Abortion Act. International day of action, March 30. Forum 12, Demonstration 1 pm, Assemble University Student Union Quad, Princes St. [1979]. Right to choose. Issue no 15, Summer 1978. Royal Commission blues; a story of the future. You can stop it now. Write to your M.P. [1977]. 321,119. Vol. 1, no 1, November 1978. Official organ of the REPEAL movement. WEL WEL WEL. Vol. 1, no. 1. Supplement to WEL newsletter Vol 4, no. 9, October 1978. (2 copies) A woman's right to choose. No more enforced labour. Repeal the abortion laws now! / designer Nga Tamahine Marama. 1976. (3 copies) Women beware, babies by force! Royal Commission on Abortion. (2 copies, one with handwritten addendum as follows: Public meeting 2 pm - Tiki Room YWCA. 30th April) [ca 1977] Women. Patriarchy puts you down. Man's conscience controls women's bodies. [ca 1977] Women: Stop M.P.s restricting your right to abortion. Fight the new anti-abortion act. Make abortion a woman's right to choose! / Women's Abortion Action Campaign. [1978-1979]. Women's abortion rights conference. March 18-19. Public rally March 17 [1978 or 1979 - 2 copies in each year]. Women's National Abortion Action Committee. Women: stop m.p.s restricting your right to abortion. May 17. Rally 12.30 ... March wirh trade unions under WONAAC banner. [1979] (2 copies) Women's National Abortion Publicity Committee. Throw out the restrictive abortion laws. Repeal all the abortion laws. Abortion a woman's right. Protest the opening of parliament, Thursday May 11 [1978]. (2 copies) Would men support legal abortion if it was them that got pregnant? [1972?] See also separate folders of posters issued by individual pro and anti-abortion groups. Quantity: 53 colour photo-mechanical print(s) on posters.. Physical Description: Photolithographs on posters, sizes varying below 500 mm.

Date: 11 June 1993

From: Family Planning Association oral history project

By: Smyth, Helen, 1964-; Lyttle, Naida, active 1960-1996; McGill, Helen, 1931-

Reference: OHInt-0566-01

Description: Interviews with Dr Helen McGill and Naida Lyttle about their involvement in the Family Planning Association in Christchurch, advocating for and providing women's contraception from 1960. Helen McGill, born 1931 in Yorkshire, England. Discusses her childhood in Yorkshire, and talks about the influence of her grandmother, a herbalist who helped women with conception and contraception issues and openly discussed issues such as abortion. Talks about marrying and moving to New Zealand, and settling in Christchurch. Became involved with family planning via the Medical Women's Association. Describes how initially the service was only available to married women but that unmarried women increasingly received assistance. Describes the introduction of the contraceptive pill and the controversy it caused. Outlines the Family Planning clinic's work as primarily contraception, as well as psychosexual counselling after 1980 for rape and incest victims, cervical smears and the controversial sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening. Describes how the screening was requested by the Department of Health and only undertaken at some clinics around the country. Describes her changing attitudes to abortion, the work of Sisters Overseas Service who sent women to Auckland or Australia, and subsequently working at the Lyndhurst Abortion Clinic. Describes the battle to keep family planning going and the opposition from much of the medical establishment in Christchurch, which was stronger than at some other clinics in the North Island. Describes being an early prescriber of oestrogen hormonal treatment for women with menopausal symptoms. Naida Lyttle describes being a nurse at the Christchurch Clinic. Talks about being a mother of five children, and talks about how she became involved with the Family Planning Association. Explains how the nurses originally did a lot of educational talks. Talks about working with Jean Nuthall, explains why they got involved in doing vasectomies, and the support of Dr Margaret Sparrow. Talks about counselling patients, and describes an example of failed contraception. Interviewer(s) - Helen Smyth Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008272; OHC-008273; OHC-008274 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2530.

Date: 1970 - 1979

Reference: Eph-D-ABORTION-1970s

Description: Includes: 1970s: WONAAC. "Careful honey, he's anti-choice. Abortion; a woman's right to choose. [1970s?] 1972: Abortion law reform; a woman's right to choose. [1972] 1972/1973? Repeal all abortion laws [woman hanging on a cross]. 1960-1970s (Roth list says 1960s, poster shown in 1972 Ans Westra photo at AW-0688; our copies received/dated 1973) (3 copies) 1973: Every child a wanted child. Repeal the abortion laws. [1973?] (2 copies)(one copy dated as received 28.5.1973) 1975-1977: Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand. Keep abortion legal, safe. [1975-1977?] 1976: Women, patriarchy puts you down. Man's conscience controls woman's bodies. [1976?] 1977: This woman died; we care. Support safe legal abortions. [1977] NZ University Students' Association. Oppose the Royal Commission. 1893-1977; the struggle continues! 1977 (2 copies) Royal Commission denies women's rights. Defend a woman's right to choose. Friday 13th May. March leaves CPO 7pm; Meeting Town Hall 8pm [1977] CoACTION (Wellington). Royal Commission blues; a story of the future. You can stop it now. Write to your M.P. [ca 1977] 1978: Salient. March for a woman's democratic right to abortion, July 14. (Salient vol 41, no 16, 1 July 1978, pages 1 and 20 (cover spread) Chaff vol 45, no 19, 13 September 1978. Women's suffrage. 85 years, still suffering. Abortion Action Day, Sept 15; Feminine forum Sept 22-23 [1978] (cover spread of Chaff) 1979: NZUSA Women's Right Action Committee. Fight for the right to choose. We have won the right to vote but we still do not have control of our own bodies. Women's Suffrage Day, Sept 19 [1979]. Make women's voices heard. Abortion rights rally, Tuesday 10th, 12.30 at Parliament [1979] Women's Rights Action Committee. Reproduction: our choice. The present abortion laws deny this choice! International Abortion Action Day, March 31st [1979?] (Roth list gives date as 1980) WACO is coming! Sept 8th 9-5 at Clyde Quay School. Workshops, creche, Ph 848541, PO Box 2669 Wn. Wellington Abortion Conference. Abortion a woman's right [1979] See also separate folders of posters issued by individual pro and anti-abortion groups. Quantity: 15 colour photo-mechanical print(s) on posters.. Physical Description: Photolithographs on posters, sizes varying below 700 mm.

Date: 1978

From: Brockie, Robert Ellison, 1932- :[6 copies of cartoon newsclipping published in National Business Review 1975 to 1977]

Reference: H-718-006

Description: New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon and the head of the church stand on a cliff's edge. The clergyman holds his fingers up in a blessing and Muldoon holds a key over the cliff about to drop it. In the foreground is a naked, pregnant woman bound in chains with a large padlock binding the chains together. The can unlock the padlock byt Muldoon is about to dash that possibility. Quantity: 1 photocopy/ies. Physical Description: A4 size photocopy.

Date: 23 Nov 1993

From: The Dames Oral History Project

By: Winstone, Dorothy Gertrude (Dame), 1919-2014

Reference: OHInt-0046/20

Description: Dorothy Winstone recalls family background; childhood; views on religion and Methodist Church; political views; involvement with Orakei Educational Foundation at Bastion Point; the Methodist church and biculturalism. Discusses education and continuing association with Auckland Girls' Grammar School. Compares course options with those of today. Mentions Charmaine Pountney, AGGS principal; and experience of Auckland University. Discusses own independence of thought; joy of teaching; courtship and marriage to Wilfred Winstone; the family business. Describes motherhood; long involvement in voluntary work starting during World War II; reasons for joining Federation of University Women; experiences as treasurer; work as member of the Auckland University Council; involvement with National Council of Women. Compares working with women with working with men. Discusses being a commissioner on the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion; feelings about the United Women's Conventions in 1973 and 1975; becoming a Dame in 1990; involvement in activities for the 1993 Centennial of Women's Suffrage. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Venue - 17 Tuhaere Street, Orakei, Auckland Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1128. Search dates: 1993

Date: 1977

From: Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (N.Z.): [Ephemera of quarto size concerning abortion in New Zealand, 1970-1989]

Reference: Eph-B-ABORTION-WONAAC-1977

Description: Contains pro-abortion material produced by WONAAC. Fliers include notices about: March in protest at the second reading of the Anti-Abortion Bill Danger to women's rights; Commission says No to abortion. Protest against the report of the Royal Commission; rally at the opening of Parliament, 19 May [1977] Yellow flier March July 8; oppose Royal Commission. Assemble Bunny St 6.30 pm Oppose the new abortion bill. March on Sept 19, Pigeon Park Women; stop MPs restricting your right to abortion. Rally at Parliament. Second reading, 11 October [1977] Women; stop MPs restricting abortion rights. Oppose the anti-abortion bill. March 14 Dec [1977] Assemble Pidgeon [Pigeon] Park Oppose repressive abortion laws; throw out the legislation; keep the Clinic open. Rally Friday Dec 16 [1977] (2 copies) Abortion; women must have the right to choose (opinion of Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan) Why abortion is a woman's right; o le faamutaina o le ma'itaga o so'o se fafine - o le filifiliga to tino lava le a le fafine ta'ito'atasi [October 1977] (Yellow flier partly in Samoan) (2 copies), plus one song sheet including words for "It's our choice", "Not the church and not the state", "The song of Bernadette" [ie the same as "The knitting needle bill"] Other related material may be found at subject location BIRTH CONTROL Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset prints and mimeographs, sizes varying up to 330 mm.

Date: 1977

From: [New Zealand posters concerning abortion, including those produced by pro and anti-abortion groups. 1970s].

By: Preston, active 1977; CoAction (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: Eph-C-ABORTION-1977-01

Description: Shows a comic strip presentation about a woman who finds she is pregnant, and has to go to Australia to have an abortion. Another larger copy at Eph-D-ABORTION-1977. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 420 x 300 mm. Provenance: Acquired in 1982.

Date: 1977 - 1993

From: [Posters collected by Mrs Rona Bailey. 1970-1990s]

Reference: Eph-D-BAILEY-Women

Description: Includes: Celebrating a decade of the National collective of Women's Refuge. [1991] Ta Keita i Mahi Ai; What Katy did. Te Wahine, te Mahi 1880-1940: Women and work 1880-1940. 1993 Trade Union History Project; Centennial of Women's Suffrage 1893-1993. Photographic exhibition, funded by the 1993 Suffrage Year Centennial trust, Whakatu Wahine. 1993. (2 copies) Ta Keita i Mahi Ai; What Katy did. Te Wahine, te Mahi 1880-1940: Women and work 1880-1940. 1993 Trade Union History Project; Centennial of Women's Suffrage 1893-1993. Photographic exhibition, Wellington Public Library, 19 August - 26 September [1993] Abortion Rights Committee. Abortion; a woman's democratic right. Protest meeting, Wgton High School Hall, Monday July 10. March, assemble Bunny Street, Friday July 14 [1978] (2 copies) New Zealand University Students' Association. New Zealanders, who'll be next? It's time to stand up an fight. Oppose Govt attacks on women. [1977] New Zealand University Students' Associaiton. Oppose the Royal Commission. 1893-1977: the struggle continues! [1977] (Larger version and smaller version - smaller version has text on verso) Working Women's Alliance. Fight government attacks on women! Fight for the right to legal abortion. [1978] (2 copies) Quantity: 10 colour photo-mechanical print(s) posters. Physical Description: Photolithographs, sizes varying Provenance: From the papers of Mrs Rona Bailey, 2006.

Date: 1977

From: Rogers, Frank Lewis, 1933-1980 : Parliamentary papers

Reference: MS-Papers-2212-047

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1975-1981

From: Earl, Nicky, 1942?- : Papers relating to women's issues

Reference: MS-Papers-9145-06

Description: Papers relating to Report of the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion; Recommendations of Domestic Purposes Benefit Review Committee; National Gay Rights Coalition of NZ; Women in national development; etc Ms Nicky Hill was Senior Executive Officer, Committee on Women Secretariat, c/- The Treasury, Wellington Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1978

From: Bromhead, Peter 1933- :[27 original cartoons published in the Auckland Star between 1971 and 1978.]

Reference: A-130-042

Description: Cartoon shows a man about to consult a volume "Royal Commission on Nuclear Power" on a table which has one very short leg. He is puzzled to see that this very short leg is held up by a volume titled "Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation & Abortion". This may suggest that interest in the Royal Commission on Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion has been superseded by interest in the Royal Commission on Nuclear Power. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on card, 183 x 261 mm.

Date: 1975

From: Bromhead, Peter 1933- :[27 original cartoons published in the Auckland Star between 1971 and 1978.]

Reference: A-130-024

Description: Cartoon shows the troops of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Election Result, climbing up and over the hill called the Abortion Bill. At top left in a cloud are the words of the traditional song "Oh, the brave old Duke of York, he had ten thousand men". This implies that politicians may speak on the Abortion Bill in a way that they consider will best protect their own success in the 1975 election later in the year. Other Titles - May 1975 The Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion was receiving submissions in 1975. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on card, 230 x 320 mm.

Date: 1977

From: Batchelor, Mary Dorothy, 1927-2009 : Papers

Reference: 77-132-25/01C

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1977

From: [New Zealand posters concerning abortion, including those produced by pro and anti-abortion groups. 1970s].

Reference: Eph-D-ABORTION-1977-02

Description: A poster urging the legalisation of abortion. Shows a photograph of a woman lying naked on the floor of a toilet. Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 610 x 420 mm.

Date: 1977

From: Various artists :Collection of newspaper clippings, photocopies and bromides of cartoons by Van der Voo (A-316-1), Malcolm Walker (A-316-2), Mark Winter (A-316-3), Neil Lonsdale (A-316-4).

By: Walker, Malcolm, 1950-; Sunday News (Newspaper)

Reference: A-316-2-019

Description: A giant of a man representing the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterlisation and Abortion drops a terrified woman between the stools of 'Abortion Reform' and 'Right to Life'. Quantity: 1 newspaper clipping.. Physical Description: Newspaper cutting 170mm x 270mm.

Date: 1977

From: [New Zealand posters concerning abortion, including those produced by pro and anti-abortion groups. 1970s].

By: CoAction (Wellington, N.Z.); New Zealand University Students' Association

Reference: Eph-C-ABORTION-1977-02

Description: Shows a photograph of a protest march with many banners; their slogans read: "Abortion is a democratic right", "Repeal all abortion laws", "Free our sisters ... ourselves", "[...] to choose". There is a handwritten addition to the poster, for Auckland use (see title). Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 420 x 295 mm.

Date: 31 December 1976

From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers

Reference: EP-Ethics-Demonstrations-Abortion-01

Description: The members of the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion which sat from 23 June 1975 to 31 March 1977. They are from left - Dr M D Matich. Barbara J Thomson. Dorothy G Winstone. Justice Duncan McMullin. Denese Henare (barrister and solicitor). M R McGregor (medical social worker). Photographed by an unknown photographer in 1977. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 25.5 x 16 cm

Date: 1977

From: [New Zealand posters concerning abortion, including those produced by pro and anti-abortion groups. 1970s].

By: Preston, active 1977; CoAction (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: Eph-D-ABORTION-1977-01

Description: Shows a comic strip presentation about a woman who finds she is pregnant, and has to go to Australia to have an abortion. Another smaller copy at Eph-C-ABORTION-1977. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 586 x 420 mm.

Date: 1978

By: CoAction (Auckland, 1978)

Reference: Eph-C-OCONNELL-Abortion-1978-03

Description: Shows a head and shoulders portrait of MP Frank Gill, and urges women to tell their MPs that they do not want a Statutory Committee of a panel system to decide whether a woman needs an abortion. This copy has a question mark in black felt pen after the phrase "Not according to this man!" Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 420 x 250 mm. Provenance: Donated by Therese O'Connell, 1992.