Anti-abortion demonstrators go face-to-face with pro-choice supporters in Wellington

Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators went face-to-face with pro-choice supporters in Wellington on Saturday.

It follows the US Supreme Court's decision earlier this year to remove abortion as a constitutional right, sparking worldwide protests.

Wellington Central streets clogged as thousands of anti-abortion supporters from the March For Life group took part in their annual pilgrimage to Parliament - only to be slowed down by pro-choice supporters who were waiting for them.

The two sides were firm in their beliefs, from those for abortion to those against it.

"Abortion is healthcare and reproductive rights are healthcare and everybody deserves equal access," one person said.

"I'm here to be a voice for the voiceless for the babies that have a heartbeat, a future and a life," another countered.

March For Life demonstrators then managed to get ahead of the pro-choice group, swarming outside the Beehive and calling for our abortion laws to be toughened up, after the US Supreme Court removed abortion as a constitutional right earlier this year.

"The defeat of Roe v Wade has been incredibly energising for the pro-life community here in New Zealand, it has shown us change is possible," March for Life spokesperson Kate Cormack said.

Both Labour and National say they won't be touching our abortion laws but the March for Life group is hoping they'll change their minds.

"They are saying that now, but it is an election year next year, so let's wait and see," Cormack said.

Pro-choice supporters however say changing our abortion laws now is the wrong move.

"The vast majority of people support abortion as healthcare in New Zealand and don't want to go in the wrong direction as the US," a pro-choice spokesperson said.

A contentious issue with no end in sight.