Operation Rescue New Zealand

Operation Rescue New Zealand was a short-lived New Zealand pro-life civil disobedience group (1988–1993), partly formed from Wellington and Christchurch "Pro-Life Action Groups", but initiated by a group of four young men who first sought to "rescue" unborn children prayfully and no violently. The group were at first unaware unaware of similar overseas operations being done. The first New Zealand 'rescue attempt' occurred outside Parkview Clinic in wellington in October 1988 by four men, Columban & Fintan Devine, Brendan & John Greally). Operation Rescue NZ later assumed much of its philosophy from Joseph Scheidler's Pro-Life Action League, moreso from Joan Andrews-Bell's 'Operation Rescue' (now 'Operation Save America'). It was formally established in different regions by well know pro-lifer's Mary O'Neill (South), John Greally (Central) and Phil O'Connor (North), but only after a series of 'rescues' involving the four mentioned above. The publicity stirred a few others outside the organisation to conduct private rescues. Most notably, Aucklander Ross Bolton. Inspired by the actions of the first few 'rescuers', joined in 'rescuing' repeatedly and regularly, travelling throughout New Zealand to 'warn politicians', engage with media, and challenge pro-lifers to sort out their response to what he was doing.

However, Operation Rescue New Zealand became caught between its radical clinic-based action, and the more conservative pro-life mainstream. The well networked pro-choice counterparts found they were able to swiftly mobilise clinic counterpickets in Christchurch and Wellington based on information received from a series of infiltrators. Faced with such opposition, Operation Rescue New Zealand felt trapped in a no-win tactical situation: as pro-choice opposition mounted, more old-fashioned pro-lifers expressed concerns about tactical naiveté on the part of Operation Rescue, and tensions between conservative Catholics and fundamentalist Protestants emerged, as for example when conservative Catholic Operation Rescue advocates prayed the rosary outside clinics or Protestants used 'spiritual warfare' prayer before 'rescue' attempts, thereby angering each other. Donations diminished as members of SPUC (now Voice for Life) and other more staid pro-life groups withdrew financial and moral support, meanwhile Operation Rescue rapidly losing active members to good behaviour bonds, lengthier imprisonment, and mounting legal bills. It was not long before it quickly petered out, having had little effect on abortion statistics or overall attitudes towards abortion in New Zealand during its relatively short period of activity (the largest 'Rescue' involved in excess of 100 being arrested, with 200 further nearby in support).

Details involved in Operation Rescue's demise largely contributed to antagonisms within the pro-life movement involving members of the Society of St. Pius X. Many former Christchurch Operation Rescue members who were also members of SPUC (Christchurch Branch)(now 'Right to Life New Zealand') strongly favoured more radical parliamentary and legal strategies such as the reintroduction of the 'Status of the Unborn Child Bill' and abortion legality test cases, with the parent organisation thinking untimely or infeasible. After repeated disagreements SPUC (National Body) expelled their Christchurch branch, which then needed a new name, becoming 'Right to Life New Zealand'.

Sources

• Gordon Campbell: "Inside Operation Rescue" New Zealand Listener (27 November 1989):125 (2595): 10-13.

• Lynne Loates: "State of Siege" More Magazine: 80: February 1990: 64-70.

• Brendan Greally: "History of Operation Rescue New Zealand" September 2003