Advance Care Planning in Aotearoa New Zealand
My passion is helping people start the conversations that matter most. My work does not replace discussions with your medical specialists or health providers. Instead, it complements their care by helping you prepare. I want you to arrive at your appointments informed and comfortable, so you are not walking into a medical appointment unprepared. I help you organise your thoughts and questions so you can complement your doctor’s care and make every minute of your visit count.
Here is some information about our national Advance Care Planning process (set out in letter from Jane Goodwin of Te Whatu Ora to End of Life Doula Alliance Aotearoa 29 April 2026).
• The correct terms are advance care planning and advance care plan (not advanced care planning or advanced care plan).
• In Aotearoa New Zealand, an advance care plan records information about who a person is, what matters to them, and their values and preferences for care. Advance care plans have legal standing under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and support informed and shared decision-making.
• An advance care plan may include an advance directive (often recorded in section six of the My advance care plan and guide booklet). An advance directive relates to a person’s consent to, or refusal of, specific treatments that may be offered in the future if they no longer have decision‑making capacity.
When an advance directive is valid – meaning it was developed voluntarily by a person with capacity, who was informed, and intended for the circumstances that arise – it is legally binding in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Clear and accurate representation helps ensure people have a correct understanding of their rights and supports trust in advance care planning processes.
Supporting access and local processes
People engaging with your services should be made aware that:
• The national My advance care plan and guide and digital plan template are available directly from the national website, free of charge at https://www.myacp.org.nz.
• Processes for sharing advance care plans within the health system vary across districts. Those supporting people with advance care planning are encouraged to be familiar with local processes for storing and sharing plans.
Information on local advance care planning contacts can be found here: