In 2015, my late wife Lecretia Seales brought a landmark legal case challenging New Zealand's laws on assisted dying. Lecretia was a brilliant lawyer who, at 42, was dying from a brain tumor. She wanted the choice to die peacefully with medical assistance rather than suffer unnecessarily.
Though Lecretia's legal case was ultimately unsuccessful in the High Court, her courage sparked a national conversation about end-of-life choice that would continue long after her death. Her story, our story, became the foundation for what would become one of New Zealand's most significant social reforms in decades.
My book, "Lecretia's Choice: A Story of Love, Death and the Law," published by Text Publishing in 2016, chronicles this journey - from Lecretia's diagnosis through her legal challenge and the campaign that followed. It's a deeply personal memoir that also serves as a detailed account of how social change happens in modern democracies.
"Lecretia's Choice" became a national bestseller and was widely praised for its honest, thoughtful exploration of complex ethical and legal issues. The book weaves together personal narrative with policy analysis, showing how individual stories can drive systemic change.
Critics described it as "beautifully written," "compelling," and "essential reading" for anyone interested in bioethics, law reform, or the power of advocacy.
View on Text Publishing
2020 National Referendum
Following Lecretia's death and the publication of the book, I co-founded and became spokesperson for Yes for Compassion, the campaign supporting New Zealand's End of Life Choice referendum in 2020.
The campaign involved years of public education, media appearances, parliamentary submissions, and grassroots organizing. We had to build public support for a complex and emotionally charged issue while maintaining respect for diverse viewpoints.
On October 30, 2020, New Zealanders voted 65.2% in favor of the End of Life Choice Act, making it law. It was a historic moment that fulfilled Lecretia's vision for compassionate end-of-life care.
Annual Lecretia Seales Memorial Lectures hosted by Victoria University of Wellington since 2016 continue the conversation about human rights, ethics, and compassionate policy.
The story gained international attention, with interviews on BBC Radio 4, ABC News Australia, and coverage in global media.
Contributed to academic collections and inspired university courses on bioethics, law reform, and advocacy strategy.
This work represents the most personally meaningful chapter of my life outside of my professional career. While it's not directly related to my consulting work in product strategy and technology, it demonstrates capabilities that translate to any complex challenge: strategic thinking, stakeholder management, public communication, and the ability to drive systematic change.
The skills I developed advocating for law reform - building coalitions, managing public campaigns, working with diverse stakeholders, and maintaining focus over multi-year initiatives - have served me well in business contexts where complex problems require sustained, strategic approaches.
Lecretia's story continues to inspire people around the world, and I'm proud that her legacy has contributed to more compassionate end-of-life care in New Zealand.
Read Lecretia's own words about her journey and legal challenge
The campaign website and resources from the successful referendum
Available from Text Publishing and all major bookstores
Official information about the 2020 End of Life Choice referendum