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country profile
Assisted Dying in New Zealand 
New Zealand legalised assisted dying following a binding public referendum, making it the first country to put the specific question of legalisation directly to the voters.
Legal Status: Legal
The practice is regulated by the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which came into force on November 7, 2021.
Key Legislation: End of Life Choice Act 2019
This Act outlines the legal framework, eligibility criteria, and safeguards for assisted dying.
Eligibility
Access is available to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 18+ who have a terminal illness likely to end their life within 6 months and are in an advanced state of irreversible physical decline.
Summary
New Zealand operates under a strictly regulated model that focuses on terminal illness. Unlike the broader “unbearable suffering” models of the Benelux countries or Canada’s “Track 2,” New Zealand’s law (The End of Life Choice Act 2019) requires a prognosis of six months or less to live.
The legislation was passed by Parliament in 2019 with a clause that it would only come into force if approved by a majority of voters in a binding referendum. In the 2020 General Election, 65.1% of New Zealanders voted “Yes,” and the service became operational in November 2021. The system allows for both medical assisted dying (administration by a practitioner) and assisted dying (self-administration), with the vast majority of patients choosing the former.
Quick Overview
Assisted Dying became available in New Zealand on 7 November 2021.
End of Life Choice Act (2019)
Click to view
The New Zealand model is designed to be a fully integrated part of the health service, yet distinctly separate in its reporting. The process involves a rigorous assessment by two doctors (an Attending Medical Practitioner and an Independent Medical Practitioner) and, if capacity is in doubt, a Psychiatrist.
A key feature of the NZ law is the prohibition on health professionals initiating the conversation; the patient must raise the topic of assisted dying themselves. The Ministry of Health oversees the service through a dedicated Secretariat and Registrar to ensure compliance.
Visit End-of-Life Choice Society of New Zealand (Federation Member)
for more info.
History and Legislation
The path to legalisation was championed by MP David Seymour and solidified by the public vote.
The End of Life Choice Bill (2017-2019): Introduced by ACT Party leader David Seymour, the bill faced intense parliamentary debate. To secure a majority, significant amendments were made, including narrowing the eligibility to only those with a 6-month terminal prognosis (excluding those with only “grievous and irremediable” non-terminal conditions).
The 2020 Referendum: New Zealanders were asked: “Do you support the End of Life Choice Act 2019 coming into force?” The result was decisive, with 65.1% voting in favor.
Implementation and Review (2021-2024): The Act came into force on November 7, 2021.
2024 Review: As required by law, the Ministry of Health completed a statutory review of the Act’s operation in 2024. The review found the system was safe and working well, though it highlighted calls from some sectors to broaden eligibility and remove the restriction on doctors initiating the conversation.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is strictly defined in the End of Life Choice Act 2019. A person must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age: Aged 18 years or over.
- Residency: A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Terminal Illness: Suffer from a terminal illness that is likely to end the person’s life within 6 months.
- Decline: Be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability.
- Suffering: Experience unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable.
- Capacity: Be mentally competent to make an informed decision.
- Age: Adults (18+). Minors are excluded.
- Exclusions: A person cannot be eligible solely because they are suffering from:
- A mental disorder or mental illness.
- A disability of any kind.
- Advanced age.
Note: Access is not available via Advance Directive (Living Will). The patient must be competent at the time of the assisted death.
Members
Our Members in New Zealand
We currently have 63 are members of the World Federation, with 1 based in New Zealand.
latest news
The latest news from our members and from around the world
Our members produce helpful factsheets and newsletters. The Federation is always happy to share other sources of information in favour of our joint mission to advance assisted dying around the world.
