Assisted suicide numbers in NZ increase again

By CathNews New Zealand

July 24th, 2026

(CNS Photo)

The number of deaths by euthanasia or assisted suicide in Aotearoa New Zealand rose to 486 in the year to March 31, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

The number for the corresponding period in the previous year was 472.

According to the Registrar (Assisted Dying) Annual Report to the Minister of Health last month, the number of assisted deaths between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026 represents 1.29 per cent of all deaths in New Zealand over that time.

Voice for Life noted that in the past three years there has been a 44 per cent increase in new applications, rising from 807 (2022/23) to 1164 (2025/26).

Voice for Life also stated that a “red flag should be waving over the continued decline in the number of health practitioners willing to be involved in assisted suicide and euthanasia”.

“The workforce is shrinking as its output grows,” Voice for Life stated.

“The number of practitioners on the Support and Consultation for End of Life Choice (SCENZ) Group list, which connects patients with doctors willing to assess or carry out assisted deaths, fell from 148 in March 2023 to 121 in March 2025, while assisted deaths per listed practitioner rose 81 per cent, from 2.2 to 4.0 a year.

“The decrease follows international trends in which practitioners pull out from the practice of killing patients, leaving small numbers to conduct large caseloads.”

Voice for Life also noted a decline in the number of “the psychiatrists on the list who are available for patients to be referred to as a second opinion on their competency. Their numbers fell from 13 to 3 nationwide, with none residing in the Midland or Central regions”.

The 2026 report “mentioned occasions when a person’s request for euthanasia led them to explore alternative care and services, such as palliative care or additional social or wrap-around support”, Voice for Life stated.

“As a result, they withdrew their application completely, demonstrating the absolute need for well-funded, accessible palliative care that truly relieves suffering.”

The total number of assisted deaths in New Zealand since 2021 now stands at 1434.

FULL STORY

Registrar (Assisted Dying) Annual Report to Minister of Health 2026 (NZ Parliament)

Assisted Dying Service – Ngā Ratonga Mate Whakaahuru. Registrar (assisted dying) Annual Report to the Minister of Health (NZ Parliament)

Highest number of assisted deaths on record, yet still not enough for the ACT Party (Voice for Life)

Euthanasia (Voice for Life)