New Zealand lawmakers to examine case for right-to-die legislation

New Zealand lawmakers on Thursday took the first step towards considering law changes that would allow for euthanasia.

Parliament's Health Committee released its terms of reference for an investigation into allowing people to end their own lives and called for public submissions.

Committee chair Simon O'Connor said it was a subject that would concern many New Zealanders and therefore deserved a thorough examination.

The committee was responding to a petition signed by almost 9, 000 people requesting changes to laws that would make it possible for people end their lives under certain conditions.

"To ensure a thorough investigation, the select committee decided to undertake a broad inquiry," said O'Connor.

The closing date for submissions is Feb. 1 next year.

The petition asked that Parliament "investigate fully public attitudes towards the introduction of legislation which would permit medically-assisted dying in the event of a terminal illness or an irreversible condition which makes life unbearable."

It also asked for a change to existing law.

The committee would examine the factors that contributed to the desire to end one's life and the effectiveness of services and support available to those who desired to end their own lives.

It would also examine attitudes of New Zealanders towards ending the ending of one's life and the current legal situation as well as international experiences.

Earlier this year, Wellington lawyer Lecretia Seales made international headlines when she went to court to unsuccessfully argue that a ban on assisted dying contravened her human rights.

Seales died aged 42 of a brain tumor in June. Endi