New Zealand

Current law regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide

In New Zealand, euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal as set out under Section 179 of the Crimes Act.

2017-2018 Proposed Law
The “End of Life Choice Bill” to legalize “assisted dying” has been proposed in New Zealand.
Text of bill

Articles
“Maggie Barry: Dignified death, yes, but check the detail”
(New Zealand Herald — May 27, 2018)
Many incorrectly assume the law only applies to the terminally ill, but it would actually license doctors to end the life of anyone with a “grievous, irremediable condition.”

“Euthanasia bill a ‘Clayton’s choice for disabled people'”
(Radio New Zealand – May 22, 2018)
The Disability Rights Commissioner stated that “This choice — under this legislation — sends a message to society that the lives of disabled people are not worth living. 

“Voluntary euthanasia ‘inevitable’ in NZ”
(TYNZ New Zealand — June 10, 2013)
Australian surgeon Rodney Syme said,”I estimate that certainly within a decade, and hopefully long before then, we will have sensible law that protects human beings the human rights to die with dignity on their own terms,” said Dr. Rodney Syme.

“The other Dr. Death”
(Stuff — New Zealand — June 9, 2013)
“I probably helped, I don’t know, I don’t keep count – but it’s somewhere between 200 and 300 people at the end off their life to have a death that they wanted,” said Dr. Rodney Syme.