Aid in dying in New Zealand: Recent legal developments

The issue of “aid in dying” (also called assisted suicide or euthanasia) in New Zealand is deeply contentious. However, until comparatively recently its legal status had not been conclusively determined. That changed in mid-2015 when the case of Seales v Attorney-General [2015] 3 NZLR 556; [2015] NZHC 1239 was heard by the High Court. This article considers the case against the background of existing legal regulation of the dying process. It critically analyses the reasoning in the decision and its potential consequences, as well as noting important factual findings made in the ruling. It concludes by drawing attention to contemporary parliamentary developments in relation to aid in dying, which have come about largely as a result of this case being heard.