Large majority will currently vote to enact End of Life Choice Bill

The survey of 1,521 adults shows support for end of life choice has largely held at levels measured before the bill was passed. It was last measured by Horizon at 74% in April. The removal of “not sure” and “don't know” answer options has consolidated opposition, up from 18% in April 2019 to 30% now.

Horizon Research’s Principal, Graeme Colman, says: “Though the public campaigns for and against have yet to start, it looks like years-long majority support for end of life choices is holding up. At this level, it seems a Yes vote is most likely to prevail at this year’s referendum.

“While concern has been expressed about the law potentially exposing some elderly to risk, the survey also finds huge numbers of those aged 65 or more will vote to enact the End of Life Choice Bill.”

72% of those aged 65 to 74 and 61% of those aged 75+ say they intend to vote Yes to enact the bill. Among those aged 75+ opposition is highest of any age group at 39%.

By age, the Yes vote peaks at nearly 78% among 45-54-year-olds.

“Support is very strong among voters for all parties, except those who voted for United Future at the 2017 election. Among ACT voters, whose leader has been responsible for the End of Life Choice Bill, support runs at 94%. We’re not seeing the partisan party divide in this referendum as we are in the one to legalise and control the personal use of cannabis,” Mr Colman says.

By party vote at the 2017 general election, support is highest among ACT voters (93% yes, 7% No). Results for other parties' voters are: Green 78% Yes/ 23% No, Labour 75% Yes/ 25% No, National 67% Yes/ 33% No and NZ First 68% Yes/ 32% No.

The survey was conducted between November 17 and 28, 2019. Results are weighted by age, gender, employment status, educational qualifications, personal income and regional to ensure a representative sample of the adult population at the most recent census. At a 95% confidence level, the maximum margin of error is +/- 2.7%.

Background note:

Respondents were told:

At the 2020 General Election you will also get to vote on whether the End of Life Choice Bill should become law.

The Bill would make it legal for people to request assisted dying, or euthanasia, from doctors, and legal for health practitioners to help people die under certain conditions.

It won't become law unless a majority vote yes in next year's binding referendum.

Who can ask?

An option to ask for assisted dying would mainly be open to those who have been diagnosed as terminally ill and with less than six months left to live.

How would assisted dying actually work?

Patients must request it themselves and go through a series of checks with two doctors, including one appointed through the Ministry of Health.

A patient completes a form and if they meet all the criteria, they can pick a time, place and method for how they want to die. They have six months to use it and if they don't, they have to go through the whole process from the start.

Patients can choose whether to have the drugs delivered intravenously, by mouth or tube and whether to trigger it themselves or have a doctor or nurse do it at a place of the patient's choosing, including at home.

Health practitioners are allowed to opt out of participating in any part of the process, though they must advise how to find advice, and the bill states they're not meant to be penalised by their employers for doing so.

Patients are allowed to change their minds at any point.

They were then asked: “At this time do you think you will vote Yes or No in the referendum?”