Voice for Life South Canterbury

24/08/2026

26/02/2026

In 1974, when an abortion clinic opened in Auckland, Carmel Armstrong sent a telegram to then Prime Minister Norman Kirk, expressing her alarm for the wellbeing of women and unborn children. She received a reply acknowledging that he too was “concerned”.
What began as a deeply personal response soon grew into nearly five decades of faithful service.
Carmel became involved with Voice For Life (then known as the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child – SPUC) around 1971, joining the newly established Timaru branch. Over time, she became the backbone of the movement in South Canterbury, serving tirelessly for many years.
Her leadership extended nationally, serving as president of the organisation, member of the national committee, contributor to Pregnancy Help and a trusted voice within churches, schools, and communities.

Carmel is an inspiration. Not all of us can do what she did, but all of us can do something. Join us today: www.voiceforlife.org.nz/join

Read more: www.voiceforlife.org.nz/media/apricots-advocacy-and-a-legacy-shaping-a-nations-pro-life-voice-carmel-armstrong

19/11/2025

What a great testimony for choosing adoption over abortion 😌

I was an affair baby. My widowed mother had 5 children and my married father had 2. Born in a time with no safety net for single or widowed women. No birth control, no WIC or SNAP, or housing. I was a true welfare baby in Indiana. My mother chose to put me up for adoption. And I was adopted by a couple wanting a child that was next on the approved list.

I was adopted into a very prominent German Christian home with another adopted boy in a small town. I could not have been luckier. I was raised in a happy, traditional home with two very loving parents and given every opportunity to succeed in life if I chose to. At 36 I found my birth mother, and the next year my birth father. Again, I could not have been luckier.

This story is movie worthy. I found 8 other half siblings and 2 more sets of wonderful people and birth parents. My life has been so good. I share this every time I can because at 16 I found myself pregnant, much to the dismay of my parents. We were well to do, and an abortion was my only choice.

Many years later I found myself grieving this loss and carrying the weight of my actions. It took many years for me to forgive myself, but if I had to do it again, adoption would have been my choice.

- Stacy (Adopted and living in Indiana, USA)

21/10/2025

What Pro-Lifers Really Believe Training Day

On Saturday 18 October 2025, we gathered with more than 50 people at the Sacred Heart Centre in Timaru for "What Pro-Lifers Really Believe" - a day packed with learning, encouragement, connections and great conversations. A special thanks to U-Bake for catering the delicious lunch!

Brendan Malone, Director of LifeNET NZ, opened the day by unpacking New Zealand’s current ethical landscape and how it shapes public attitudes toward abortion. His sessions explored the philosophical and scientific foundations for protecting life, addressing common misconceptions and challenging us to think deeply about what lies at the heart of the abortion debate. Everyone was encouraged to consider their part in being a voice for the voiceless - speaking with both truth and love.

In the afternoon, Ellie Whitaker, National Coordinator of the New Zealand Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (End the Killing), led hands-on workshops on having fruitful, respectful conversations about abortion. Attendees left feeling better equipped to share the pro-life message with character, knowledge, and wisdom. A few brave souls joined Ellie afterward for street outreach and a roadside display on State Highway 1.

We’re so thankful to Brendan, Ellie, our volunteers, and everyone who came along to make the day such a success!

10/09/2025

"WHAT PRO-LIFERS REALLY BELIEVE" EVENT POSTPONED
We regret to announce that our event planned for Saturday 13 September in Timaru has been postponed. One of our speakers has suddenly become sick ill, and it’s important that they have time to recover fully.

The event is only postponed, not cancelled! We’ll announce a new date as soon as details are confirmed, and we hope you’ll be able to join us then.

Everyone who has already registered will be contacted by email, and refunds will be offered.

Thank you for your understanding, and please keep an eye on this page for updates. We’re looking forward to gathering together soon!

02/09/2025

📣 Just a reminder — What Pro-Lifers Really Believe is coming up fast: Saturday, 13 September 2025!

If you’re planning to come, please take a minute to register today — it really helps us make sure there’s enough food (and the right kind for you!). 🍴

👉 Register here: https://www.voiceforlife.org.nz/shop

🎟 Door sales will still be available for $10 if you forget, but registering now means we can cater properly and prepare the best experience for everyone.

We’d love for you to join us to learn, be equipped, and connect over lunch together. See you there!

Join us for a day of equipping and understanding pro-life views on abortion with popular speaker Brendan Malone, and Pro-life trainer, Ellie Whitaker.

Brendan will unpack the pro-life case against abortion and some of the ideological biases which have shaped the modern cultural mindset about it.

Ellie will explore flaws in common pro-choice arguments and offer practical insights into how we can respond with charity and effectiveness when discussing this challenging topic with others.

Event venue: The Sacred Heart Centre behind the Timaru Basilica, 7 Craigie Ave. Plenty of on-site parking is available.

Registration is preferred for catering purposes, but door sales of $10 will be available. Lunch is included. Register here:
https://www.voiceforlife.org.nz/shop