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Ethos Alliance CEO issues warning over proposed End of Life Choice Act changes

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 17 Feb 2026, 6:54pm

Ethos Alliance CEO issues warning over proposed End of Life Choice Act changes

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 17 Feb 2026, 6:54pm

Advocates warn the removal of requirements for assisted suicide would open Pandora's box.

The ACT Party is pushing for changes to its End of Life Choice Act. 

Proposed amendments include removing the six-month prognosis requirement and adopting all 25 recommendations for a Health Ministry review. 

Ethos Alliance chief executive Alex Penk says it would open up euthanasia as an option to more long-term conditions and disabilities. 

"If you're a doctor at the moment, for example, who says I can make my peace with euthanasia for end-stage cancer, say - they might start to feel quite differently about this when you start talking about diabetes, frailty, renal failure..."

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