Euthanasia advocate coming to New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- An Australian advocate of assisted suicide says he sees no need to register as a doctor in New Zealand before lecturing there on his suicide pill.

Philip Nitschke, sometimes known as Dr. Death, plans to give workshops but says he will not show how to make the pill as he has in Australia. The pill includes a barbiturate that he says can bring death in about 20 minutes.

The Medical Council argues that Nitschke is giving advice on medical matters and needs to register.

"Many other doctors and medical experts come to New Zealand and speak at conferences and seminars without getting registration," Nitschke told the Wellington Dominion-Post. "I'm no different. All this is way over the top."

Nitschke is head of Exit International. He plans to speak in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.