‘Esther’s Story’ by Julia Sartorio

First shown as part of the weekly ‘Sunday’ programme on TVNZ, this short documentary follows assisted dying campaigner and cancer patient Esther Richards as she prepares for an assisted death. After an introduction from presenter Miriama Kamo, Esther and her friend Jooles are shown enjoying a visit to the beach. This pleasure is contrasted with the struggle and pain of her everyday existence at home which she shares in interviews and video diaries. Kamo and Esther discuss her online campaigning for the legalisation of assisted dying in New Zealand, and her position as a pro-choice Christian. Esther reveals that she now feels she is experiencing the ‘unbearable suffering’ needed to qualify for an assisted death and is approved (offscreen) by a medical professional. She sets a date but, when her health declines, brings it forward to the 30th anniversary of her mother’s death. She and her son Alex are shown putting her affairs in order and planning her final day. Meanwhile, she continues to enjoy winning at board games against Kamo and Jooles. Esther, Alex and Jooles, individually discuss with Kamo how they feel about Esther’s approaching death/ decision to die. Kamo then says an emotional goodbye to Esther who we are told dies the next day, although there is no footage from the day of her death. In footage of a celebratory gathering in Esther’s backyard, Jooles reads a speech written by Esther, which is accompanied by a montage of the box containing her ashes and footage of her smiling and laughing.

Broadcast just six months after assisted dying was legalised in Aotearoa/New Zealand in Nov 2021, this documentary segment seems designed to inform viewers that such death is now a legal possibility. Oblique secrecy laws surrounding such deaths in the country meant few early instances were publicised and this was one of the few? first? stories of a legal assisted death made public. Indeed, since various stages of the legal process are made clear alongside Esther’s reasons for making her decision, the film functions to some extent as public service broadcasting. The programme does not ignore feelings of surreality or trepidation experienced by Esther or those around her. In a video diary a few days before her death, Esther says ‘I don’t really know how I feel about this right now – relieved, I think’. Kamo describes the fact that Esther can legally take her own life as ‘incredible and potentially terrifying’. Yet, ultimately, the film is unapologetically supportive of Esther’s decision. From its opening statement that it will show ‘one woman’s brave story’ to Kamo’s approval during their final meeting, the programme emphasises Esther’s individualism and humour, and her right to make her decision. Understandably, it caused upset among some anti-assisted dying groups such as DefendNZ and its broadcast was taken up by some advocates with the broadcast ombudsman. Notably, Esther’s friend Jooles was later interviewed on TV news demanding more support for hospices stating that, while Esther got what she wanted, her death had been hard on those left behind.