High Court rules hospices not required to provide euthanasia services

An interesting judgment from the High Court. The Hospices Association sought declarations around various aspects of the End of Life Choice Act. Most of the declarations they sought were not granted because they would be dependent on the facts in a particular circumstance. But the High Court did make one thing very clear:

The End of Life Choice Act does not require hospices or other
organisations to provide assisted dying services. They are entitled to
choose not to provide these services. This does not depend on a hospice
or other organisation having a conscientious objection, although that
may often be the reason, and allowing hospices or other organisations
not to offer assisted dying services is consistent with the right to
freedom of conscience under s 13 of NZBORA.

This is a good outcome. Hospices do wonderful work. It is right that a hospice that wishes not to provide assisted dying services is fully entitled not to do so.