The Government is being urged to make access to contraceptive and sexual health services free to young women.
The Public Health Association lobby group told MPs inquiring into child abuse on Wednesday that New Zealand still has a very high rate of unplanned pregnancies.
The association told the Health Select Committee all access to the contraceptive and health services should be free to young women until the age of 23.
It said this would reduce unplanned pregnancies especially among very young women whose pregnancies can be high risk.
Separately the Women's Health Action Group says there is a tendency overseas to prosecute pregnant women for drug and alcohol use and other problems for unborn babies.
It said this is misguided and what is needed is more support for women's health.
