Carol Sakey
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UNFAIRLY TARGETING FARMERS – THE 2016 HAVELOCK NORTH WAS USED TO INTRODUCE – THE NEW WATER REGULATOR TAUMATA AROWAI AND THE MAORI ADVISORY BOARD

UNFAIRLY TARGETING FARMERS – THE 2016 HAVELOCK NORTH WAS USED TO INTRODUCE –    THE NEW WATER REGULATOR TAUMATA AROWAI AND THE MAORI ADVISORY BOARD

Initially Accusations & Speculations were a reality to the farmers whom were blamed for the  Campylobacter outbreak  in Havelock North in August 2016, An estimated  5,500 people, 15 approx hospital admissions & 3  reported contributed deaths. There were political discussions and the Green Party blamed the Farmers for Intensification of  Farming practices as being the fault of the contamination

Federated Farmers & other Agricultural Representatives strongly rejected the claims pointing out that the area new the specific bore in question  was primarily lifestyle blocks and orchards not Intensive Dair Farming. It was concluded the source of contamination was likely from sheep faeces that flowed into a surface pond & then into an insecure bore

The Govt Inquiry attributed the blame on the Systemic failings by Hawkes Bay Regional Council & the Hastings District Council for their lack of collaboration * inadequate Risk Assessments & the failure to ensure Bore Security & Proper Water Treatment. The initial finger pointing at farmers caused a significant negative effect on the farming communities reputation. NZ First stated the Farmers are owed an apology as it was clarified the actual source was the Councils significant failings.

Farmers had been treated unfairly , were targeted by misleading and alarmist claims by Anti Lobbyists without a shred of evidence. There was finger pointing at agriculture,  yet the closest dairy farms was 40 kilometers away. It was reported that farmers had spent $1 billion fencing rivers over the past decade.

The Havelock August 2016 Incident imposed new restrictions & obligations on farmers as key land users in water catchments. Councils were blamed, criticized for the lack of collaboration * Inadequate Risk Assessment * Failure to implement required Water Safety Plans & Monitoring which was said to contribute to the outbreak occurring. The Havelock North Incidence highlighted tensions around water and land use in NZ, leading to more management & regulations nationwide.

Regional Councils eg Hawkes Bay Regional Council was required to implement stricter rules and planning changes (Like a TANK plan Change) which included the development & implementation of Farm Plans. Introduced more rigorous standards & restrictions, scrutiny and more rigorous national standards. This leading to increased regulations & restrictions on Agricultural practices & policy changes

The prompting of calls for a more Sustainable Less Intensive Farming methods. Including a cap on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, a measure that directly impacts many farmers. The Havelock North 2016 Incident  although Farmers were not to blame led to broader regulatory shifting, restriction on land use practices especially agriculture right across NZ. (was this just another Crisis opportunity ‘Never let a Good Crisis Go to Waste)that this was in  1 of the bore heads (Same location as the August 2016 incident)

The independent Stu Clark 1998 Report concluded that the 2 Bores were a possible source of campylobacteriosis.. The likely point of entry for  contaminated surface water was a leaking power cable gland. It was recommended that testing the Te Mata Aquifer to establish whether it was confined along with measured to ensure security of both bores.

The Regional Council failed to meet its responsibilities as set out by the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to act as Guardian of the Aquifers under the Heretaunga Plains Protection of Water Sources. The District Council did not embrace- implement the high standard of care requires of a public drinking water supplier in light of the 1998 outbreak and the significant history of transgressions. The breaching of Drinking Water Standards

The District Council did not properly manage the maintenance of plant equipment or keep records of that work, carried out little to no supervisions of follow-up work. Did not carry out recommended improvements. There was a lack of collaboration and liaison  between the Regional Council and the District Council. A strained relationship with an absence of regular and meaningful cooperations resulted in missed opportunities that may have prevented the out break

Consultancy firm MWH New Zealand Ltd (“MWH”), a technical adviser to the District Council, failed competently to assess and report on the security of the bore heads of Brookvale Road bores 1 and 2. The Inquiry found that near the Brookvale Rd Bores the Aquifer had been penetrated by a significant number of disused or uncapped bores leaving it vulnerable to entry by contaminated water. That the Brookvale RD Bore 3 was affected by earthworks at the neighboring Te Mata Mushroom property, leaving it vulnerable to contaminated water

The Te Mata Aquifer was not a secure source of drinking water- non compliant to Drinking Water standards. That the Regional and District Councils relationship was dysfunctional. The Regional Council filed a criminal prosecution against the Regional Council 18th November 2016 which led to a delay in the Inquiry.

It was stated that this was ill advised and never should have been launched . It was eventually dropped and replaced with two infringement notices. The Regional Council spent $450,000 investigating the case. This could have been spent on the Aquifers beneath the Heretaunga Plains

It was reported that the risk associated with waterborne diseases in NZ are well recognized. The Drinking Water Guidelines emphazise that ‘Untreated drinking water contaminated with pathogens presents a significant risk to human health. Therefore lessons need to be learned from the Havelock North Incident.

But was has Central Government learned. First they blame the farmers unjustifiably so. Yet 23 years later successive governments have turned deliberately absent minded- where the Local Govt Act 2002 still remains with the same errors as when it was presented to the House. Where Trade Waste Consent Breeches still remain a cause of significant concern. Where Stats  that were present a couple of years ago now  the 2024-2025 Stats for Trade Waste Consent breaches are clearly absent from the publics eye.

Where on 8th September 2025 Taumata Arowai Maori Group report that the Māori Advisory Group advises on Māori interests and knowledge as they relate to the objectives, functions and operating principles as they set out their expectations & intentions to work as partners to advise on Maori Interests

The Maori Advisory Group provides advice on how to enable Matauranga Maori * Tikanga Maori and Kaitiakitanga to be exercised. Any other matters as agreed by the Maori Advisory Group and the Board. Environmental management and Iwi Maori development working with Central Government agencies, Local Government- Iwi and Hapu. The Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group and the member of the Ministerial Advisory group Kahui Wai Maori ..In  Sustain the Tangata,

December 2019 The Bill was introduced to the House. The 1st March 2021 The Act took effecr an Order in Council and Taumata Arowai became a Crown entity. The Act sets out the objectives and functions allows for the board and Maori Advisory Group to be established. The Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Program Iwi & Maori Hui a motu. And the Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme Iwi & Maori Pre-workshop Water Services Bill webner on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iptBF0rRWNs) Dept of Internal Affairs

https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/about-us/who-we-are/maori-advisory-group

WakeUpNZ

RESEARCHER: Cassie

LINKS

Footnotes

  1. Stu Clark “Hastings District Council Water Supply Contamination Investigation’’ (13 September 1998).  This report is documentCB048of the “Core Bundle of Documents” and is accessible on the Inquiry website (http://www.dia.govt.nz/Core-bundle-documents).
  2. A confined aquifer is protected by a layer or layers of impermeable material.
  3. A report in August 2016 by GNS found water from three of the bores in the area (Omahu and Wilson roads in Hastings and Brookvale Road bore 1 in Havelock North) contained water less than a year old: GNS “Groundwater Residence Time Assessment of Hastings District Council Water Supply Wells in the Context of the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand” (2016) (CB081).
  4. CB192.
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Other Blog Posts

ARE YOU FEELING HOT UNDER THE COLLAR FROM THIS REPORTED GLOBAL BOILING?

The IPCC was established and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1988
The last IPCC Assessment report was 8,000 page synthesis. 264 scientists with findings on physical climate science * 270 scientists on impacts, adaption and vulnerability to climate change, 278 scientists on climate change mitigation. (Synthesis report is the combination of different parts to make up the whole).

The Grim Reaper Secretary General UN Tedros announcing to the world “Global boiling has arrived”. That humans are responsible. Tedross stating in a stressed mannerism “The air is unbreathable, the heat is unbeatable, the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable”. The latest twist in the fear mongering as Guterres stated “Confirming that July 2023 has become the hottest month in the past 120,000 years”.

IPCC Section 4, ‘Near-term Responses in a Changing Climate’, assesses opportunities for scaling up effective action in the period up to 2040, in the context of climate pledges, and commitments, and the pursuit of sustainable development.
This is the era of ‘Global boiling, accelerated climate action by government leaders- policy makers, those that the public are not allowed any public debate about. Guterres the “era of global; warming has ended” we now have an “era of global warming”. Using fear and the pandering to ignorance I guess is a different kind of coercion, how ever coercion using fear is now a familiar one. Do as your told, change your behavior or you may get scolded or even scorched.

Persuasion far left socialism with controlling communist demands to impose their narratives on the whole population, where are the elements of the truth? Oh, that’s right = non-debatable.
Pushing, increasing fear is a well known tactic of promoting propaganda to support a narrative. Note in IPCC reports certain words such as ‘could’ this context has no content and what about likelihood of a referred event?

Political bullies that push the ever increasing lies to mislead and frighten people until they submit to whatever policies the government intend to impose. Agree or not agree they impose them anyway. Think about it ‘global boiling, scorching, scalding oouch steam burns, boiling water second degree burns eem touches the nerve endings. Of course its not global boiling. Oh, wait a bit, they are saying science is settled but they want you to feel frightened and unsettled.

UN Members Nation Governments worldwide have done their utmost to frighten populations of citizens into anxiety and distress, one crisis after another yep it does your head in. So you go silent, can’t deal with it anymore, bugger ‘Silence is Consent’. Loss of freedom is one of those responses to fear that the government has conjured up. Climate cooling, global warming, climate emergency, global boiling the only threat to existential humanity are the evil bastards that are playing this all or nothing fear mongering game with peoples lives.
There is no evidence of global boiling but there is evidence of the various scenarios adopted, embedded in the IPCC Assessment reports. This is all hot air and media hysteria the world is not on fire and the polar bears ae doing very nicely thank you.

Oh, by the way whom are behind the international climate governance beyond the State, these include individuals, companies, corporations, international organizations, industry associations, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations. The non-state actors involved in the UNFCCC system include environmental NGOs, activist groups, intergovernmental organizations, city networks, oil companies, consultancy and legal firms, carbon brokers, indigenous communities, trade unions, women’s groups, youth organizations and religious communities
You might find this interesting:-

The IPCC use certain scenario’s some are widely and aggressive. For example RCP 8.5 generally taken as a basis for the worse case scenario, is proved to be overestimation of projected coal outputs. It is also used for predicting mid century and earlier emissions based on current and stated policies

RCPs are space, time and dependent trajectories of future greenhouse gas concentrations and different pollutants caused by different human activities. RCP 8.5 is the highest baseline emissions scenario in which emission continue to rise throughout the 21st century, therefore much more severe than RCP4.5. This is quoted as being a ‘business as usual’ scenario, meaning the likely outcome of society does not make a concerted effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Researched By Carol Sakey

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ONE STATE REPORTS 1,700% INCREASE IN VAERS REPORTS AFER ROLL OUT OF COVID JABS

Health Alert on mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Safety was reported 15th February 2023. Referencing the Communications Office of News Media# Glorida Health Government. The State Surgeon General notified the Health Care Sector and the public of substantial increase of Vax Adverse Event reporting (VAERS) in Florida after the COVID-19 Vax rollout.

In Florida alone there was a 1,700% increase in VAERS reports after the rollout of COVID19 jabs, compared to an increase of 400% in overall vaccine administration for the same period. The reporting of life threatening conditions increased over 4,400%. This is a novel increase and was not seen during the 2009 H1N1 Vax campaign. The State Surgeon General states’ there is a need for additions unbiased research to better understand the COVID-19 vax short and long term effects.

The findings in Florida are reported to be consistent with various other studies that continue to uncover such risks. After evaluating this the State Surgeon General wrote a letter to FDA and CDC illustrating the risk factors associated with the mRNA COVID-10 vaccines, emphasizing the need for additional transparency.

The State Surgeon General referred to a number of studies associated with an excess risk of serious adverse events, including coagulation disorders, acute cardiac arrests, other cardias acute events, Bells Palsy and encephalitis In one of the studies the risk was 1 in 550 individuals, which is much higher than in other vaccines.

Another study found increased acute cardiac arrests and other acute cardiac events following the COVID jab. A third study related to COVID19 vax, found preliminary evidence of increased risk of both coronary disease and cardiovascular disease.

The CDC had already identified safety signal for stroke among individuals over 65 years of age and older following the bivalent booster administration, referring to a need for further assessments and research regarding safety of ALL mRNA COVID-19 Vax’s. The State Of Florida remined health care providers to accurately communicate the risks and benefits of all clinical interventions to their patients, including those associated with COVID-19 and other public health concerns. To promote importance of treatment and promoting prevention through healthy habits, encouraging health care providers to do the same.

To support transparency including those associated with COVID19 Vax as additional risks continue to be identified and disclosed to the public. To support transparency, the State of Florida reminds health care providers to accurately communicate the risks and benefits of all clinical interventions to their patients, including those associated with the COVID-19 vaccine as additional risks continue to be identified and disclosed to the public.

The State of Florida in the department that is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts

LINKS:

https://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2023/02/20230215-updated-health-alert.pr.html#:~:text=2022%2C%20mRNA%20COVID%2D19%20vaccines,much%20higher%20than%20other%20vaccines.&text=Sun%20CLF%20et%20al%2C%20Sci%20Rep.

Reference  Communications Office  NewsMedia@flhealth.gov  (850) 245-4111

According to a study, Fraiman J et al, Vaccine. 2022,

A second study, Sun CLF et al, Sci Rep. 2022, found

Additionally, Dag Berild J et al, JAMA Netw Open. 2022, assessed the risk of thromboembolic and thrombocytopenic events

Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida

Florida Department of Health  www.FloridaHealth.gov.

 

Researched by Carol Sakey

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Carol Sakey
EUTHANASIA

THE DANGEROUS CONCEPTS OF EUTHANASIA ‘ARE PEOPLE CONSIDERING THE RISKS TO MANY VUNERABLE PEOPLE’?

CHOICE: Euthanasia ‘End Of Life Choice” has dangerous concepts this is a sensitive subject because people do not take into consideration that this bill was passed because it was one on the personal sensitivity on ones feelings (of course that’s natural) but not of the facts (the dangerous concepts within the Act).  Is patient taking medication?  What is happening behind closed doors (coercion and manipulation secrecy and fear- referring to age concern etc.,) Patients can choose not to be resuscitated … patients feeling unworthy, a problem to the family…This is another Benefits vs Risks Scenario.  Politically Government saving on healthcare costs. And ignoring Hospice funding issues. Another issue being as in other countries when you introduce an Act like this it will significantly expand its boundaries ..Dangerously dehumanizing beyond humanity itself. (DON’T YOU LOVE THE WORD ‘CHOICE’??)

PUBLIC OPINION: There is huge controversy around this Euthanasia Act for doctors ‘ ethically’ eg Do No Harm. Protection of Life. The legal and practical considerations of the End Of Life Act. There is confusion regarding the terminology among the general public of NZ (Enter word CHOICE into Bill- everyone’s wants choice- become an over-riding psychological issue) When people do not have the facts and lead from the heart this can be a huge problem when it comes to risks of other peoples lives and seen as the benefit of a few (softening peoples views on a life and death matter). Majority of NZrs would not even understand or bother to analyze the legislation. Conscience Vote overriding the Facts, Concepts within the Act

ABSENCE OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS: The High Court concluded that there are limited declarations around the interpretation of the Act. Absent of legal requirement for nurses, pharmacist and other health professionals whom may object this includes hospices.. The law does not protect the vulnerable under the Euthanasia Act. End of life depression can be treatable.  Being unworthy of life becomes a normal concept and socially acceptable as a concept. The way doctors communicate information can determine the decision making of the patient. One must consider the motivation behind seeking euthanasia a doctor cannot be sure of this they do not live the private life behind the doors of the patients personal existence. Subtle coercion and unseen influence is easily ignored, not even seen, evident.

A SLIPPERY SLOPE:  Legislatively the patient has a legal right to refuse treatment, enable do not resuscitate and proxy decision making thus reaffirming bans on assisting suicide. The Euthanasia Act sends controversial messages to those whom are suicidal. The Act may not adequately safeguard peoples lives against their wishes, The Euthanasia Act (End Of Life Choice Legislation) is a slippery slope. One big challenge is that is complicated is where the primary doctor conscientiously objects, the replacement doctor then assumes responsibility without any long term relationship knowledge of the patient or his/her family. Even ones own personal doctor is not likely to know this, even more so with doctor, nurses shortages and more and more virtual doctors visits will take place.

DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP: Doctor-patient relationships are not what they use to be in todays post modernized world. The second doctor providing a second independent opinion has no obligation to determine coercion or undue influence at the time of the final consent to administrate the final lethal dose. Concern have been raised concerning the Euthanasia Act’s regulatory framework. The Review committee did not receive demographic data such as age, gender, ethnicity and excluded coercion, thus making it difficult to confirm the statutory requirement of “satisfactory compliance with the requirement of this Act”. Thus there is no way at all that patients that seek euthanasia are being coerced or not, as subtle coercion can easily be undetected. Therefore there are NO Safeguards for vulnerable people. .Socio economic status and other area’s of a patients life and dependency on family can cause a loss of dignity hence seeking euthanasia.

RISKS AND GAPS: The risks and gaps have not been measured as to benefits and risks. Since the Act was introduced legislatively we have been living in times that are hyping up the anxiety and grief especially around the most vulnerable this surely will increase the seeking of euthanasia (I just want out of here AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT). Risks and Gaps have allowed the governments determination to control NZrs lives.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FAILURES: Mental illness and vulnerability is common in terminally ill people, depressive disorders. How do you differentiate depressive disorders from grief reactions in the case of terminal illness, its too difficult.  Mental Health services in New Zealand have fallen over when it comes to given a person an app to take home when they are crying out they want to jump off a cliff and kill themselves. Under treatment of psychiatric illness is common in New Zealand.

CANCER PATIENTS:  It is reported that 80% of cancer patients remain unrecognized and untreated for mental health issues. Cancer accounts for one of the largest reasons for euthanasia overseas thus more people seeking euthanasia. NZ Government state they prioritize reducing suicidal deaths rates whilst provisionally approving assisted suicide under this Euthanasia Act

LACK OF PALLIATIVE CARE: In 2019, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities expressed extreme concern with Canadian legislation,49 and recommended “adequate safeguards to ensure that persons with disabilities do not request assistive dying simply because of the absence of community-based alternatives and palliative care”

HOSPICE: It is highly reported that Hospice services will be significantly negatively effected because of a serious lack of government funding. The government would people seek assisted suicide than fund a persons right to dignity in dying and ongoing support for family in their time of grieving. Through Hospice they value ‘Dignity in living and Dignity in Dying.)

LEGAL PERSPECTIVE: From a legal perspective, the EoLCA poses many challenges and unanswered questions about how to ensure the process is safe for all involved. Proponents rightly point out that many of these questions should be addressed at a professional level with training programme’s, clear guidelines and access to adequate support. On the other hand, opponents point to overseas evidence of underreporting and nonvoluntary euthanasia to illustrate risks of the legislation.

NORMALISING THE CONCEPT OF PREMATURE DEATH AS BENEFICIAL: Based on overseas experience, once legalized, euthanasia eligibility criteria will be challenged, and are likely to be expanded over time. Some regard this as an egalitarian progression towards a better future that includes a ‘right to die’, while others view this as an unacceptable risk of the EoLCA. .(Euthanasia Legislation)

NON-VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA: Administration of a life-ending substance to a patient who is unable to consent due to a medical condition..

NZ MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: Considers that voluntary euthanasia is unethical, but supports a persons pain relief which can hasten a patients death which is determined as ethical. There is an acknowledgement that a patients autonomy may be compromised without a doctors knowledge as to what happens in a patients private life behind closed doors, therefore the ACt does not adequately safeguard vulnerable peoples lives. There could also be poor symptom management and broken communication between the doctor and the patient.

THE REFERENDUM (DOCTORS): There was little room for doctor to abstain yet they are the ones that are holding the needle (the lethal dose). Similar to the nation wide jab of COVID 19 jab.DO NO HARM is ignored as the government goes along with the Risks vs Benefits. The Risks have been also ignored in David Seymour’s Euthanasia Act. CHOICE has embedded itself in people hearts as they had their choices taken away. I personally believe this is of serious concern. (The word CHOICE  used for coercion and indoctrination of this legislation). What the eye does not see the heart does not grieve over.

HOW MANY VULNERABLE LIVES ARE PUT AT RISKS BECAUSE OF THIS EUTHANASIA LEGISLATION AS TO THOSE THAT BENEFIT FROM THE LEGISLATION? If this is too difficult to answer then this should be of very serious concern.  There is nothing more precious than life itself. It is fact that people have been told they only have 6 months to live by health professionals and have lived much longer and have been able to live and die in dignity with the right care, love and respect.  As we see more and more fragmented families this becomes a real issue around the seeking of Euthanasia, the premature ending of ones life.

DATA IN AND DATA OUT: Often, a patient is considered terminally ill when his or her estimated life expectancy is six months or less, under the assumption that the disease will run its normal course based on previous data from other patients.

DETERMINATION OF ONES LIFE SPAN: My father was given 6 months to live he had a brain tumor, cancer on the lungs he lived for over  a year. He was surrounded by family in his own bed at home. Hospice sat with us for 24 hrs as he finally passed away.

DEATH IN DIGNITY AND DIGNITY IN DYING: When a person is treated with dignity, love and respect there is a reason to want to live, a reason not to seek a needle with the legal dose injected into your body. Hospice made sure pain killers were administered adequately. They also enquired about our families needs. I have been involved with Hospice helping people write their ‘end of life’ story times, of times gone by. (The Government would rather fund premature death than dignity in living and dignity in dying)

HEART VS HEAD: The ruling from the heart (conscientious vote) ignoring the dangerous concepts this is exactly how this Bill was passed. People calling upon their very real emotional grief of watching loved ones dying, a natural grief, is normal… but this  ignores the very serious risks that vulnerable people are being put in when it comes to life and death decisions.  I acknowledge how the heart grieves in these life and death situations but should we ignore the dangerous concepts the risks it puts other human lives in?

THE DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE:  YES, I call this a slippery slope, and another psychological coercion by  the government in the word ‘CHOICE’ (End Of Life ‘CHOICE’ Act). And no-one speaks out, everyone is silent. SILENCE IS CONSENT to be indoctrinated and coerced even at he end of ones life.

NOTE: I followed this Bill throughout and much earlier on could see the dangerous conceptions within the End of Life Choice Bill (legislative Act). I was saying exactly the same then as I am saying right now. ITS A VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE and we should never ignore it.

 

Researched By Carol Sakey

 

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EUTHANASIA AND COVID-19 RELATIONSHIP IN GOVERNMENT’S PLAYBOOK

EXCLUSIVE: MOH says Kiwis with COVID-19 can now be eligible for euthanasia. New Zealand euthanasia expansion.. By The Defender.

OIA REQUEST: An Official Information Act reply to The Defender, from the Ministry of Health, which says that patients with COVID-19 could be eligible for euthanasia, has left National MP Simon O’Connor disappointed but not surprised.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS RAISE CONCERNS:  In November The Defender wrote to the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MOH) to ask some important questions about the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide in New Zealand. In light of the serious deficiencies in the End of Life Choice Act (EOLCA), and concerns that have been raised by healthcare professionals, we felt it was crucial to put some urgent questions to the MOH.

COVID-19 AND ASSISTED DYING: In our Official Information Act (OIA) request we asked the following question: “Could a patient who is severely hospitalised with Covid-19 potentially be eligible for assisted suicide or euthanasia under the Act if a health practitioner viewed their prognosis as less than 6 months?”

TOOLS  TO RESOLVE SERIOUS CRISIS: There were several reasons why The Defender wanted to seek clarity from the MOH about this issue.  Firstly, New Zealand is currently described as being in a precarious position when it comes to COVID-19 and hospital resources. In light of this, it would not be hard to envisage a situation in which a speedy and sizeable rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations could result in pressure to utilize euthanasia and assisted suicide as tools to resolve such a serious crisis.

WARNING OF CAUTION: Overseas commentators have raised the prospect of these kind of unethical motivations since early in this pandemic.  Last year’s tragic case of the elderly Canadian woman who had an assisted suicide to avoid another COVID-19 lockdown highlights exactly why caution is warranted in relation to COVID-19 and euthanasia.  “The lack of stringent safeguards in the EOLCA raised red flags with us. Could a patient with COVID-19 find their way into the eligibility criteria? And, if so, what serious risks would this pose to the already often-vulnerable elderly members of our communities?” says The Defender editor Henoch Kloosterboer.

CRITERIA FOR ASSISTED DYING: The MOH responded to our OIA request on Tuesday (7th of December, 2021). Their reply to The Defender started on a more promising note: “There are clear eligibility criteria for assisted dying. These include that a person must have a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months.” But then their response becomes more disturbing (emphasis added):

THE ATTENDING PRACTITIONER:   “A terminal illness is most often a prolonged disease where treatment is not effective. The EOLC Act states eligibility is determined by the attending medical practitioner (AMP), and the independent medical practitioner.”

SERIOUS CONCERNS: This raises serious concerns. Firstly, there is nothing concrete about the phrase “most often”, in fact, its inclusion in this specific context clearly seems to suggest that the MOH considers the definition of terminal illness to be subjective and open to interpretation.

DETERMINATION OF QUALIFIED TERMINAL ILLNESS: The very next sentence seems to back this up. It clarifies that the MOH considers the attending medical practitioner (AMP) and the independent medical practitioner to be empowered by the EOLCA to make the determination about what does and doesn’t qualify as a terminal illness.  “In light of this vague interpretation, it is reasonable to suggest that COVID-19 could be classified as a ‘terminal illness’ depending on the prognosis of the patient and the subjective judgments of the AMP and independent medical practitioner. This feels like we’ve been sold one thing, and been delivered another.” says Kloosterboer.

ELIGIBILITY:  the final paragraph the MOH put this issue beyond doubt when they state (emphasis added): “Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis; therefore, the Ministry cannot make definitive statements about who is eligible. In some circumstances a person with COVID-19 may be eligible for assisted dying.”

INFORMED DECISION: Detail from the Ministry of Health’s response to the OIA request, 7 December 2021. If you examine the eligibility criteria for assisted suicide and euthanasia, as stated on the MOH website, it becomes easier to see how, given the right circumstances, a COVID-19 diagnosis could qualify:  aged 18 years or over a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand  suffering from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability experiencing unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying

PROLONGED ILLNESS: It seems to us that the only possible protective factor here, and it’s an extremely flimsy one, is that all of this hinges on the tenuous grounds of how the phrase ‘terminal illness’ is interpreted. In particular, whether or not the AMP and independent medical practitioner are willing to hold firm to the MOH’s suggestion to us that a terminal illness is a “prolonged disease”. Even then, the term ‘prolonged disease’ is still extremely fraught due to its highly subjective nature. Who is to say that a medical practitioner who considers an illness which lasts longer than a fortnight to be a ‘prolonged disease’ isn’t actually correct in making such a determination?

RAISING OF SERIOUS QUESTIONS: The End of Life Choice Act offers no clarity or robust safeguards that would put this matter beyond doubt, in fact it does just the opposite, leaves the door wide open for abuse. MP Simon O’Connor expressed s as to the expansion of the new law less than a month after it came into force.  “New Zealanders who voted in the referendum in 2020 did not anticipate this law could be used for COVID19 patients”.

THE WORDING OF THE LEGISLATION: The wording of the law The wording of the law was always deliberately broad and interpretable, placing far too much into the judgement of the doctor.” He also said that this development raises serious questions about the problems in the EOLCA.

VERY TIMELY: “The  timely demonstration of how badly drafted the law is. When you consider the lack of key safeguards, and the risky shroud of secrecy that the EOLCA has thrown over the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide, you can see that those of us warning about this Act shouldn’t have been dismissed so flippantly,” says Simon  O’Connor.  The implications of this are extremely serious. Not simply because of the potential threat COVID-19 poses to our ill-equipped NZ healthcare system, or the fact that vulnerable elderly people are the most affected by the ravages of this illness.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY: There is also the fact that an unacceptable lack of transparency has been built into the EOLCA which will cloak all of this in a dangerous veil of secrecy that prevents robust public scrutiny. In a nutshell, the poorly considered structure of the EOLCA has now made the COVID-19 pandemic potentially even more dangerous for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

#DefendNZ,  were calling on the Ministry Of Health to take urgent action to  ensure that the End Of Life Choice Act cannot be used to provide assisted suicide or euthanasia to patients in New Zealand. Defend NZ had created a petition to send to Parliament calling for urgent amendments to the law including required detailed reporting and required independent witnesses, among other things, and were asking concerned citizens to sign and share it.

LINK   https://www.defendnz.co.nz/news-media/2021/12/19/exclusive-euthanasia-expansion-moh-says-kiwis-with-covid-19-can-now-be-eligible

 

Researched by Carol Sakey

 

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