About
We believe terminally ill New Zealanders should have choice and control at the end of life, including the option of requesting life-ending medication in the final six months of life.
How we began
The End of Life Choice Bill was passed by Parliament in 2019. Shortly afterwards, the End of Life Choice Act Referendum Society formed. We launched Yes for Compassion to make sure the public is well informed about the legislation ahead of the historic vote in October 2020. Our collective expertise spans medical, legal, political, Māori and religious perspectives.
Your YES vote in the End of Life Choice referendum means people with terminal illness can:
Our Supporters
Rt. Hon Helen Clark
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Rt. Hon John Key
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Sir Geoffrey Palmer QC
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, lawyer and writer
Dame Margaret Sparrow
Medical doctor, choice advocate and author
Philip Patston
Disability Awareness Campaigner
Catherine Marks
Lawyer at Russell McVeagh
Tim Clarke
Lawyer at Russell McVeagh
Mary Panko
President of the End of Life Choice Society
Dr Jack Havill
Fellow of the College of Intensive Care Medicine ANZ
Professor Andrew Geddis
Faculty of Law, University of Otago
David Seymour MP
Leader of the ACT Party
Sir Michael Cullen
Former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Attorney-General
Dr John Harman
Surgeon and Founder of St Marks Breast Centre, Auckland
Michele A’Court
Comedian and writer
Andrew Butler
Barrister
Paula Bennett
National Party MP
Our Board
Dame Jenny Gibbs, Chair
Philanthropist, art collector and leading voice in New Zealand arts.
“I have been a passionate supporter of End of Life Choice since I watched my mother die of cancer. I want terminally ill New Zealanders to be able to decide when they have had enough.”
Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi
Advocate of Māori language education and the Kohanga Reo movement.
“I support a yes vote in the End of Life Choice referendum because I consider my personal choice to be of paramount importance.”
Dr Libby Smales
Palliative care specialist with 20-year directorship of Cranford Hospice.
“I’m voting yes in the End of Life Choice referendum because I believe in compassion and the relief of unbearable suffering as we die.”
Reverend Craig Kilgour
Retired Presbyterian minister and advocate of end-of-life choice.
“I support the End of Life Choice referendum because it is compassionate, humane, just, merciful and gives those close to death the choice to end their lives with dignity, surrounded by loved ones.”
Sue Wood
Educator and first female president of the National Party 1982-6.
“I strongly support the purpose of this legislation and the essence of human compassion it embodies.”
Maryan Street
Served as a Labour Party MP, Minister and Party President.
“For me, assisted dying has always been about compassion. With the End of Life Choice Act, no more people will die but fewer will suffer.”
Professor Colin Gavaghan
Faculty of Law, University of Otago.
“I will be voting yes in the referendum because I believe people should be allowed to see out their days in ways that respect their own deepest values and priorities.”
How do other New Zealanders feel about the End of Life Choice Act?
Kiwis from all walks of life are voting YES at the End of Life Choice referendum in October. Hear their stories and find out why they need your YES.
Bobbie needs your YES
Hi, I’m Bobbie and I’m living with cancer. Watch my video to hear why I need your YES on 17 October.
David wants a choice
Hi, I’m David and I have a terminal illness. Please watch my video and hear why I want choice at the end of my life.