Euthanasia in New Zealand

[3] The matter was decided at a binding referendum held alongside the 2020 general election, with the electorate voting in favour of legalisation.

[8] A survey done by Massey University in 2003 showed that 73% wanted assisted suicide legalised if it was performed by a doctor, but if done by others support dropped to 49%.

The wording of the questions were: A survey carried out on behalf of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society in 2008 showed that 71% of New Zealanders want to have it legalised.

[13] On 1 February 2016, nine bishops made an oral submission to the Health Select Committee concerning medically assisted dying and Maryan Street's petition.

There are several reasons put forth by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Bioethics Agency, The Nathaniel Centre, against legalising euthanasia/physician assisted suicide.

They say that it is inevitable that when following a liberal philosophy in this instance, boundaries established initially will likely be widened to allow for other interest groups to access euthanasia.

Finally, broad societal support is given to the ongoing effort within the practice of palliative care to address the needs of the whole patient and their families.

[17] Peter Brown, when he was an MP for the New Zealand First political party, introduced a Death with Dignity Bill in 2003, but it was defeated by 60 votes opposing to 58 supporting.

[18] By mid-July 2013, there were reports that her party colleagues were requesting that Street withdraw the bill, given the possibility that it would distract from other issues during 2014 general election campaign.

In her 2002 book To Die Like A Dog she revealed that she killed her mother due to the pain that she was suffering and was arrested shortly after its release.

[25] In a similar case, professor Sean Davison wrote his memoir, The Last Waltz: Love, Death & Betrayal, published in 2015, documenting the final days of his mother's life in 2006.

[26] A leaked copy of an early manuscript of the book revealed that he offered his mother a dose of morphine to help end her life.

Against euthanasia The main organisation lobbying against euthanasia in New Zealand is The Care Alliance, a broad coalition of organisations from medical, family values, social, ethics, faith, disability, and other areas of society that advocates for better conversations around dying and improved access to palliative and other end of life medical and health practices.