Waera Study Pānui

Māori experiences of assisted dying in Aotearoa New Zealand

E ngā rangatira - Nau mai, haere mai - Korero mai!
Esteemed people, welcome, welcome, it is time to talk!

A team of researchers from the University of Auckland are wishing to interview Māori individuals and whānau who have or are currently using, assisted dying services in New Zealand. We are also interviewing their support workers (health professionals, rongoā practitioners, tohunga and funeral directors).

The End of Life Choice (EOLC) Act 2019 gives New Zealanders with a serious illness the opportunity to choose a medically assisted death. However, assisted dying may raise concerns for whānau Māori who use these services and those who do not meet the assisted dying services criteria.

We are seeking to better understand Māori engagement with assisted dying services, that is, decision-making around choices, the nature of their experiences and improvements they would like to see. We also want to hear from bereaved whānau about their experiences of assisted dying. We appreciate that talking about assisted dying is a personal and private matter. Our researchers will maintain everyone’s privacy and confidentiality.

Would you like to be involved? Do you need more information? The project is Māori led and your interviewer will be Māori.

Contact the WAEREA study team: 0800 WAEREA (0800 923 732)

This project has been funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand
and has been granted ethical approval by HDEC, Ministry of Health NZ.