Frequently asked questions about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide
1. Can New Zealanders ask a doctor to relieve their suffering before death?
Yes. Palliative care (hospice) is all about relieving suffering in the lead up to death. In New Zealand we have the tools to
ensure that everyone can die comfortably, peacefully, with dignity and with their pain controlled. In the rare cases where
pain medication is not enough, a person can also be sedated in order to make them comfortable.
2. Is there an ethical difference between switching off life support, withdrawing futile treatment and voluntary
