10 February 2023
Ken Orr
By email: ken@righttolife.org.nz Ref: H2023019318
Tena koe Ken
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to ManatO Hauora (the Ministry of Health) on 13 January 2023 for information regarding the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLCA).
As you have noted, section 30 of the End of Life Choice Act requires that ManatO Hauora undertake periodic reviews of the operation of the Act, and report to the Minister of Health, with a copy of this advice to be tabled in Parliament. The first of these reviews needs to occur within three years of the commencement of the Act, and at intervals of not more than five years after that.
Each part of your request is responded to below.
When do you propose to complete this initial review of the EOLCA?
The first review will occur during 2024, with further details to be determined closer to the time.
In undertaking this review will you be accepting representations from David Seymour MP, the architect of this Act, or any other MPs?
In undertaking this review will you be consulting with the general public?
In undertaking this review will you be consulting with members of the medical profession who are opposed to this legislation that empowers medical practitioners to kill their patients with a lethal injection or assist in their Suicide?
As part of planning for the review, ManatO Hauora will consider the nature and level of engagement to be undertaken. This is likely to happen in late 2023 or early 2024.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at: infoAombudsman.parliament.nz or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the Manatu Hauora website at: www.health.govt.nzJabout-m inistry/inform ation-releases/responses-off icial-inform ation-act-requests.
Naku noa, na
Maree Roberts
Deputy Director-General
Strategy, Policy and Legislation I Te Pou Rautaki