David Seymour's euthanasia bill has taken a step forward - but despite the largest consultation in Parliament's history, the Select Committee couldn't agree on any changes.
Bobbie Carroll has terminal blood cancer, and has a simple request for politicians debating assisted suicide: "Treat me like an adult."
She told Newshub she wants the right to choose how she dies.
"I may or may not choose euthanasia. If I do, it will probably be just shortening my life by days or a week."
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The End of Life Choice Bill, with the potential to alter the way people like Carroll deal with death, just took a step forward after 16 months of consultation.
Despite that, it's come out of Select Committee with no substantial changes - politicians couldn't agree, meaning any changes will have to be individually voted on.
"I think it's right all 120 members of Parliament get to vote on that," Seymour told media.
There is strong opposition to his Bill, including from a group of Pacific protesters outside Parliament on Tuesday.
"The End of Life Choice Bill undermines our Pacific culture and Christian faith," Luatupu Ioane-Cleverley told Newshub.
A solid showing - mostly from National Party MPs - showed up in support of the protest, and inside Parliament there were strong views on both sides.
"I don't think doctors should be killing their patients," Simeon Brown said.
"This is not a choice that some people want," Seymour said. "That is not a basis to remove it from people that do."
"It leaves vulnerable New Zealanders open to abuse and coercion," Maggie Barry said, while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wants it to be a "personal matter for individuals and their families".
There's support from New Zealand First, but with a serious bottom line.
"No referendum, no Bill," Winston Peters said.
Seymour said he would be putting forward an amendment to introduce a referendum.
That's not the only amendment; politicians will also choose whether to limit euthanasia to only the terminally ill - excluding those with serious untreatable conditions.
The Bill will likely come up for its second reading in six weeks' time.
With such strong views on both sides, it'll be a tough task ahead for Seymour as he tries to convince MPs - and then the public - to make it law.
Newshub.
