Welcome to the website of Dignity New Zealand Trust. Our vision is that in due course, New Zealanders will have the option of terminal care via either a Hospice NZ facility or a Dignity NZ Trust Haven. Dignity NZ Trust Havens will provide optimum palliative care along with a safe, supported and legal environment in which to consider and if so chosen, receive an assisted death under robust and safe-guarded legislation. Dignity NZ Trust Care will be provided by either in haven care, in home care or within the hospital environment according to an individuals personal circumstances and wishes. This initiative will allow people with a philosophical opposition to Voluntary Euthanasia to continue with existing end of life options, while providing those people who support Voluntary Euthanasia with a valid alternative. In August 2003, EXIT NZ was founded by Lesley Martin following the defeat of the Death With Dignity Private Members Bill in Parliament by 60 votes to 58 with one non-vote and one abstention. In May 2005, EXIT NZ was rebranded as Dignity NZ, a registered charitable trust by it's founding co-trustees, Bruce Corney and Lesley Martin and is committed to education on issues related to end of life decisions in New Zealand. Dignity NZ Trust has grown beyond the initial contribution of Lesley Martin to the Voluntary Euthanasia debate (two books, a high court trial and imprisonment in 2004 for assisting in the death of her mother, Joy Martin in 1999) and now represents a cross section of New Zealand society including members of the medical, legal, nursing, theological and academic professions. We find that most have been touched by end-of-life experiences that have left them feeling that many issues surrounding death and dying in New Zealand need to be addressed; from the absence of Voluntary Euthanasia as a legal option, to the consequences following mercy killing or assisted suicides, the shortfalls in Palliative Care as it exists at present and the increasing suicide rate amongst the elderly and terminally ill. On the other hand, many of our supporters are simply people who recognise that death and dying is an increasingly significant part of our lives, given the medical advances of the past few decades and that how we approach this as a civilised society is one of the greatest social reforms of our time. They recognise that in order to progress, groups like Dignity New Zealand are essential and their success is directly proportional to the support they receive. In a variety of polls carried out in New Zealand since 1982, 62 – 74% of New Zealanders have supported Voluntary Euthanasia. We invite you to add your voice to thousands of New Zealanders who want better choices in their end-of-life decisions by supporting Dignity New Zealand Trust as we continue our efforts to support youe wishes in return. |
