Public may get final say on euthanasia as MPs set to vote on referendum

When ACT leader David Seymour's End of Life Bill comes up for its first reading in parliament, MPs will vote on whether there should be a referendum instead.

The bill allows voluntary euthanasia under strict conditions, and it's due up soon after parliament resumes next month.

But a clause in Labour's coalition agreement with NZ First says a conscience vote must also be allowed on a proposed amendment which will provide for a referendum.

That has always been NZ First's policy, and if a referendum gets majority support the bill will be stopped in its tracks.

Two-thirds of New Zealanders are in favour of euthanasia, when it comes to patients with terminal illnesses according to data gathered from the 1 NEWS online election tool Vote Compass.

The results show 68 per cent of voters agreed, or strongly agreed with the statement: "Patients with terminal illnesses should be allowed to end their own lives with medicinal assistance".

Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment from the University of Auckland told 1 NEWS that the majority of National supporters were in favour of it.

That's in contrast to National leader Bill English's stance that he wouldn't support the End of Life Choice Bill, which is set to be debated in Parliament soon.

"Sixty-five per cent of National supporters support euthanasia," Lees-Marshment said.

The results follow a Colmar Brunton poll in July, which found 74 per cent of eligible voters supporting euthanasia, meaning if the issue did go to a public referendum it would have a high chance of passing into law.