Pro-choice and pro-life protestors faced off in Auckland today after several states in the US have rolled back abortion laws in recent weeks.

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The topic has been a source of conflict in the country this past week, with National MP Alfred Ngaro saying there is no need for law change while Hannah Tamaki falsely argued that pro-choice campaigners are seeking full-term abortions

Mr Ngaro also likened abortion to the holocaust, a term he later said he regretted using.

Abortion is a crime in New Zealand unless the procedure is approved by two doctors.

A cabinet decision authorising the minister to draft legislation to remove it from the Crimes Act was been delayed after it was supposed to be announced in April.

Supporters of both sides of the abortion protest gathered at Aotea Square. Source: 1 NEWS

Currently the Crimes Act allows for an abortion after 20-weeks' gestation, but only if it is necessary to save the life of the woman or to prevent serious permanent injury to her physical or mental health.

"I know I shouldn't have that much of a say on it, that's why I’m here just supporting what women want," a boy told 1 NEWS.

"One third of women have had an abortion, that means one third of women are criminals technically in the eyes of the law and that needs to change."

Anti-abortion supporters hold placards. Source: 1 NEWS

Anti-abortion supporters say that because of the DNA difference, a woman has no right to take a life from her womb.

"I think 30 years in prison for murder is a good sentence," Leo Stuart-Smith told 1 NEWS.

'Pro-life' supporters at the protest. Source: 1 NEWS

The Law Commission has put forward three options for taking abortion out of the Crimes Act, but the government has not yet released its Bill on abortion.

According to Stats NZ, 0.5 per cent of abortions in New Zealand occurred after 20 weeks, and 89.4 per cent of abortions in 2017 occurred in the first trimester (12 weeks).