The Euthanasia Referendum

Euthanasia is a complex and emotive issue. People on both sides of the debate feel strongly about it.

It is the view of this church that euthanasia is morally wrong, and that this Bill has insufficient safeguards. You can read our submission to the Justice Select Committee.

Any material included here that advocates for euthanasia is included simply for your understanding, not because we are neutral on this issue.

Understanding what euthanasia is, and the ethical question around it, is important for us to have an informed vote.

Read information on these more general issues.

N.B. The End Of Life Choice Act has been passed by our parliament but on the condition of a binding referendum. It's future is in our hands. We must be informed.

• Assisted Dying In New Zealand And 2019 Developments - a parliamentary research paper giving an overview of euthanasia in New Zealand.

• End Of Life Choices Bill - parliamentary background material on the Bill including the text of the Bill itself.

• Understanding The End Of Life Choice Act (Care Alliance)

Also

• Newshub Nations Euthanasia debate - David Seymour, Dr Sinead Donnelly

• Our Position

• The Care Alliance chairperson, Sinead Donnelly, has written an editorial in Issue 60 of The Nathaniel Report

See the whole playlist of New Zealanders speaking up against euthanasia.

See also Claire Freeman's blog

The group behind this is made up of 22 members who are professionally qualified in medicine, hospice and palliative care, nursing, law, disability, ethics, advocacy, and social policy. This organisation is not aligned to other religious, civic or professional organisations.

• Toolkit For Advocacy Against Legalisation Of Assisted Suicide

• Wendi Wicks' Hard-Hitting Oral Testimony Against NZ End Of Life Choice Bill

See also the Disability Rights Commissioner's comments below

Other comment from, or on behalf of, disabled people

• New Zealand's Euthanasia Bill is A Step Into The Unknown For Disabled People - Wendi Wicks (the Guardian)

• Disabled People Petition parliament To Amend Euthanasia Bill - (Scoop)

• Hospice New Zealand

  • Euthanasia - Our Opinion

  • 2018 submission to the Justice Select Committee

  • Why Hospice NZ Went To Court Over The Euthanasia Law

• NZ Medical Association (N.B. the NZMA does not represent all doctors)

  • Report on Euthanasia

  • Newsroom report on NZMA position

• Care Alliance (NZ)

• Doctors Say No

  • Website

  • Facebook page

• The Disability Rights Commissioner

  • Submission of the Disability Rights Commissioner on the End Of Life Choice Bill

  • Disability Rights Commissioner Opposes Assisted Dying Bill - Laura Walters (Stuff)

  • Euthanasia Bill Poses Risks For Disabled People With Incurable Conditions, Warns Disability Rights Commissioner - (NZ Herald)

• Lawyers for Vulnerable New Zealanders

  • Website

• New Zealand Church Leaders

  • Statement

• Interchurch Bioethics Council

  • Euthanasia: Unethical Intervention Or Death With Dignity?

  • The Euthanasia Debate... Why Now?

  • End Of Life Choices Bill And Referendum

  • 2018 submission to the Justice Select Committee

  • 2018 Oral Submission

• Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

• New Zealand Christian Network

Lawyers For Vulnerable New Zealanders