There appears to have been a breakthrough within cabinet, to get abortion law reform signed off.

The New Zealand Herald reports that New Zealand First has agreed for legislation to be drawn up for a vote in Parliament.

It would take abortion out of the crimes act, and remove barriers women currently have to go through.

Terry Bellamak from Abortion Reform Aotearoa told Mike Yardley that this has been a long-time coming, but the "devil is in the details".

"We really have to hear more about what's in the bill first before we can really mark their work."

The Law Commission recommended a cut off point for women seeking to have an abortion by choice to have until 22 weeks. 

The Herald reports that the proposal before Cabinet will give women that choice up to 20 weeks. 

Bellamak says that if a cut-off point of 19 or 20 weeks is a problem. 

"There are conditions that affect the health of a pregnancy that can only be revealed sometimes after 20 weeks."

She says that this takes important decisions out of the hands of woman and gives it to doctors. 

Bellamak says that having abortions in the Crimes Act and the delays around it remains a huge problem, describing it as "stigmatising".

She wants to see it treated as a health care act, and is "hopeful" that the bill will be passed.