Winston Peters suggests revisiting conversion therapy ban and comments on abortion

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has expressed hope that the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act will be overturned or relitigated. While he stated the bill would not have passed if his party had been in Government in 2022, he has not committed to making its repeal an official election policy. Peters later clarified that his party is open to reviewing the legislation rather than scrapping it entirely.

During an interview with Family First director Bob McCoskrie, Peters remarked that abortion could shade into "murder or assassination" depending on the timing. Peters later clarified to journalists that he was specifically responding to a question regarding babies being born alive following an attempted abortion. He reiterated his belief that life begins at conception.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has ruled out any changes to either the conversion therapy ban or abortion laws. Luxon stated that these laws are settled and that he will continue to meet his 2023 commitment to not change them.

Labour campaign chairperson Kieran McAnulty described Peters' comments as a "distraction tactic". McAnulty suggested that Peters makes such claims without intention of following them up and noted that voters have been more concerned with the cost of living.

How it developed

• Thu 8 Oct, 1:56pmWinston Peters issued a statement saying his party is open to reviewing the conversion therapy law rather than completely scrapping it.
• Thu 8 Oct, 10:31amPeters clarified his abortion comments were a response to a specific question about babies born alive after an attempted abortion.

Where reports differ

• Initial reports suggested Peters wanted the conversion therapy ban overturned, while later reports noted he clarified he is open to reviewing it rather than repealing it.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff, Otago Daily Times, 1News and RNZ.