Euthanasia on the rise in New Zealand

Latest euthanasia and assisted suicide reports from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora show that the number of people applying and undergoing this chosen death is increasing.

The End of Life Choice Act came into force on November 7, 2021. Public information is available until December 31, 2023, almost 26 months.  

Total deaths by euthanasia or assisted suicide

A total of 653 deaths have occurred, equating to approximately 5 to 6 premature deaths per week, either facilitated by a medical or nurse practitioner or at the hands of one.

In the first 12 months of the End of Life Choice Act coming into force there had been 257 deaths.

From April 1, 2023, until year-end, there were 259 reported deaths. Of those, 95 were in the last quarter of 2023, causing Health New Zealand to note in their quarterly report that “compared to the previous quarter, there has been a notable increase.”

Data is minimal given the length of time euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal in New Zealand. However, it does appear that as time goes on, an increasing number of people are choosing to end their lives early.

According to information available up until March 31, 2023, the majority of people were killed by their attending medical practitioner. Three hundred sixty-two died by euthanasia, where the attending medical or nurse practitioner initiated the death. Just 32 deaths were initiated by the patient, (assisted suicide).

Applications

Up until December 31, 2023, a total of 1,666 applications were received by individuals seeking to be considered eligible for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Not all applicants continue through the process; some are deemed to be ineligible, others pull out for their own reasons, and still others die of natural causes while their application is being assessed. Some applications will be the same person reapplying; therefore, the number does not reflect the number of individuals who have applied.

Palliative Care

Almost a quarter of people applying to be killed or to be assisted in their suicide were not receiving palliative care at the time of their application (23.1%). This significant number suggests applicants were not experiencing unbearable suffering at the time (a condition of the legislation), or they were not offered or had not taken up this option to make them more comfortable.

Location

While nearly all deaths by euthanasia or assisted suicide are carried out in a person’s own home or at a private residence (82% in the final quarter of 2023), these are not the sole localities. Public hospitals, aged residential care facilities, hospices, retirement homes and funeral homes have all been listed as sites.

Our Response

As euthanasia and assisted suicide become entrenched in New Zealand society as an acceptable way to approach illness, disability, suffering and death, we must expect a greater uptake.  We have witnessed the rising numbers of abortions at the beginning of life, and now we must brace ourselves for the same tragedy to occur at the end of life.

Our response as a community to these individuals who believe ending their lives is a valid solution to their situation must be similar to our outreach to abortion-vulnerable mothers. We must offer friendship, support, and effective medical interventions that help people be as comfortable as possible as they battle illness, disability, and as they come to the end of life.

Even more importantly, we must ensure that every person is allowed to prepare spiritually for death; after all, death is the most defining moment of life.

Resources

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Assisted Dying Service Data and Reporting

Ministry of Health
2021/2022 Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report
2022/2023 Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report – June 2023