Are You Eligible For Assisted Dying

Please Note: Some links on this page lead to Te Whatu Ora's website. The links will open in a new tab or window, depending on your settings. To return to this page simply close the tab or window.

Click here to go on to Te Whatu Ora's Eligibility Criteria page

Click here to go on to Te Whatu Ora's page to understand how the process will work

If you wish to pursue the option of an assisted death for yourself, there are a few things you should know.

  • Understand that your doctor is not allowed to initiate a discussion about assisted dying with you: you must raise the issue with your doctor. You could say something like :
  • "If my suffering becomes unbearable before I die, I want to be assessed for assisted dying. Will you do this for me, please?"
  • "I need assisted dying, will you help me?"
  • In Te Reo, ask for "Mate whakaahuru" *.
  • If your doctor is willing, then they could begin explaining the process to you now.
  • If your doctor is unwilling, try to change doctors within the same medical practice or transfer to another medical practice close to where you live, if possible. This step may save you time.

If you cannot find an alternative doctor in reasonable time, then you should immediately contact the Ministry of Health's Assisted Dying Service on 0800 223 852 or email AssistedDying@health.govt.nz. The Assisted Dying Service will allocate your case to a clinical advisor. Your clinical advisor will discuss your situation, your location and, if warranted, will find a trained and registered doctor to assess you. If travel is necessary, the assisted dying doctor/s will come to you at no cost to you.

Once your process is underway, the clinical advisor allocated to your case will explain each subsequent step as you proceed and will handle all subsequent medical communications for you.

* Mate whakaahuru (assisted dying)

  • Means to die in a warm and comfortable manner.
  • Approved by Te Reo linguists from the Department of Internal Affairs - The Translation Service.
  • Maori Health Directorate, Ministry of Health sourced - been used by Maori meia around describing assisted dying and Te Reo Maori experts use it historically.
  • Te Aparangi has been involved in the process around Te Reo translations.
  • Go to https://maoridictionary.co.nz - search for "mate" and "whakaahuru" to hear pronunciation.

Read the End of Life Choice Act here