New Zealand to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people

New Zealand has voted to legalise euthanasia in what campaigners have called a victory for compassion and kindness.

Preliminary results showed 65.2% of voters supported the end of life choice act coming into force as a new law.

The law will allow terminally ill people with less than six months to live the opportunity to choose assisted dying if approved by two doctors.

Its opponents say the law lacks adequate safeguards.

The referendum results announced on Friday do not include an estimated 480,000 special votes, including overseas ballots, so the final outcome will not be confirmed until November the 6th.

The referendum is binding and the law is expected to come into effect in November 2021.

It will see New Zealand join a small group of countries, including the Netherlands and Canada, which allow euthanasia.