A rule that stops women who've had abortions entering beauty pageants is discriminatory and outdated, experts say.

New Zealand versions of United States beauty pageant franchises like Miss World and Donald Trump's Miss Universe stipulate that contestants cannot be married, in a relationship, have given birth or parented a child.

When asked what type of women entered beauty pageants, Miss World New Zealand organiser Desmond Foulger said "single women without children, never having given birth nor had an abortion".

The Miss World New Zealand entry form says contestants have to be "single, not in a de-facto relationship, have neither been married, nor has ever gotten pregnant or given birth".

They also have to be a "natural-born female".

Meanwhile, the Miss Universe rules state contestants can never have been married or pregnant.

"The titleholders are also required to remain single throughout the ... Read more »