Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero has weighed into the conversation around Down syndrome and pregnancy in Shortland Street, saying there needs to be more balanced information for viewers.
The recent storyline on the popular New Zealand soap opera featuring the potential abortion of baby with Down syndrome had been called "insensitive and ignorant" by the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.
In episodes of the show this week the character of Zoe has been struggling with the news that she's possibly pregnant with a child with Down syndrome.
Character Doctor Chris Warner, the father of the child, suggested Zoe have an abortion as the child will suffer and have severe medical issues.
"Raising a disabled child is hard work, this baby could be born with serious medical issues, heart, hearing, eyesight, digestive issues, higher risk of infection, I'm not trying to scare you Zoe but this is a big decision and you need all the facts," the character of Warner told her during Monday night's episode.