First shown as part of the weekly \u2018Sunday\u2019 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 \u2018unbearable suffering\u2019 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>
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\u2019s 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 \u2018I don\u2019t really know how I feel about this right now \u2013 relieved, I think\u2019. Kamo describes the fact that Esther can legally take her own life as \u2018incredible and potentially terrifying\u2019. Yet, ultimately, the film is unapologetically supportive of Esther\u2019s decision. From its opening statement that it will show \u2018one woman\u2019s brave story\u2019 to Kamo\u2019s approval during their final meeting, the programme emphasises Esther\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>","cover":{"ratio":1.5,"url":"https:\/\/assistedlab.ch\/media\/pages\/visual\/esther-s-story\/ee2c1a286e-1723105096\/pexels-lucasandrade-20340269-2410x-q90.jpg","caption":"\u00a9 Pexels\/Lucas Andrade, free to use"},"toggles":[{"title":"Suggested citation","list":[{"text":"Esther\u2019s Story, Assisted Lab: A Living Archive of Assisted Dying, 13 January 2026 ","link":null,"pathname":null}]},{"title":"Media citations","list":[{"text":"Segment on The Project, Three, NZ Television, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=l5OiKDdv9TQ","pathname":"youtube.com"},{"text":"Nicole Bremner, \u2018Health experts call for wider support for palliative care services\u2019, 1News, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.1news.co.nz\/2022\/11\/07\/health-experts-call-for-wider-support-for-palliative-care-services\/","pathname":"1news.co.nz"}]},{"title":"Interest Group citations","list":[{"text":"DefendNZ, \u2018EXCLUSIVE: Slanted Sunday segment glorifies tragedy\u2019, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.defendnz.co.nz\/news-media\/2022\/5\/exclusive-slanted-sunday-segment-glorifies-tragedy","pathname":"defendnz.co.nz"},{"text":"\u2018World of Champions; World Right to Die Day, 2nd November 2022\u2019, End-of-Life Choice Society of New Zealand, 2022","link":"https:\/\/eolc.org.nz\/news\/12974519","pathname":"eolc.org.nz"},{"text":"DefendNZ, \u2018The Pulse: \u201cHarrowing\u201d: Applications for euthanasia appear to increase 50% month-on-month#\u2019, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.defendnz.co.nz\/news-media\/2022\/6\/harrowing-applications-for-euthanasia-increase-50-month-on-month","pathname":"defendnz.co.nz"},{"text":"The Completed Life Initiative, The World of Champions: World Federation Right to Die Societies, 2020","link":"https:\/\/completedlife.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/WFRtDS_worldquotes.pdf","pathname":"completedlife.org"}]},{"title":"Legal and Paralegal citations","list":[{"text":"Official Information Act Request Response, Manat\u016b Hauroa\/Ministry of Health, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.health.govt.nz\/system\/files\/documents\/information-release\/h2022011175_response.pdf","pathname":"health.govt.nz"},{"text":"Right to Life Inc and Television New Zealand Ltd \u2013 2022-079, Broadcasting Standards Authority Decisions\/Ng\u0101 Whakata\u016b a Te Mana Whanonga Kaip\u0101ho, 2022","link":"https:\/\/www.bsa.govt.nz\/decisions\/all-decisions\/right-to-life-inc-and-television-new-zealand-ltd-2022-079-8-november-2022","pathname":"bsa.govt.nz"}]}]}