Kaye NikkiHon NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central): I rise to support this legislation. Can I acknowledge David Seymour your courage your endurance your commitment. Members of the select committee—39000 submissions. More New Zealanders have engaged with this legislation than any other in our nation's history. Can I acknowledge Maryan Street who is in the gallery this evening.The reality is this is not just about several years of process. We are 16 years that members of Parliament have been considering this issue. In my view New Zealanders have consistently said that they support change in the law and I support change because I respect those New Zealanders' views. This is hard and I want to set out why I believe this is one of the hardest ever pieces of legislation to come before this House.It is hard because it deals with the sanctity of life. It is hard because it traverses human rights. It is hard because some see this as a collision and a conflict of cultures: those who believe in collective decision-making and those who believe in fundamental human rights. It is hard because it tests the very foundation and bedrock of some people's religious beliefs. It is hard because as anyone who has had or has a serious illness knows—can I acknowledge Bobbie Carroll who is in the gallery and the other people here who have got life-threatening illnesses—there is grey. The reality is that no member of Parliament in this House can argue for a perfect decision-making process. We live in a world where there are more drugs and treatment options for people and the reality is some people's circumstances will change.But the fundamental reasons why I support this bill are around compassion. Ultimately what this is about is that the overwhelming evidence shows there is a group of people who suffer. There is fundamentally a group of people which suffer; they're in pain. The overwhelming evidence shows there is also a group of people who commit suicide in a very violent way because they do not believe in the current law and the process that is in front of them.I do not agree with some of the opponents of this bill that somehow we are at all condoning suicide and I think some people would find that very offensive actually. I do not agree with the opponents in terms of this bill that there are no safeguards. The reality is—and I acknowledge some of the most brilliant legal minds in New Zealand that have worked on this law: Catherine Marks Andrew Butler—this has been one of the most considered pieces of legislation; so this has been 16 years in the making. But ultimately what I come back to is an extraordinary woman Lecretia Seales—and I acknowledge Matt Vickers and other family members that may be watching this evening. This was a bright smart woman who understood law she understood public policy she had served her country. What she asked for was not a wide bill in my view.What she asked for—and I want to quote her—she said I have accepted my terminal illness and manage it in hugely good spirits considering that it's robbing me of a full life. I can deal with that and deal with the fact that I am going to die but I can't deal with the thought that I may have to suffer in a way that is unbearable and mortifying for me." Ultimately what Lecretia articulated I think has been articulated by members of this House in terms of their stories—their personal stories. I too have a story in terms of a family member who would not be helped by this piece of legislation. I realise that what this Parliament will very likely do is pass a very narrow law that will affect a very small group of people that will—and the overwhelming evidence is that a whole lot of people don't take this up; they may take the choice but they never go through with it—but a small group of people will not be in pain and suffering.I believe that that is the conscience of this Parliament. We say we are one of the most progressive nations in the world but other jurisdictions have moved and we have failed—we have failed for 16 years and I would argue for every member of Parliament to consider with their conscience what the overwhelming group of New Zealanders want us to do. I support this bill to the House."