Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey will go back to kaumatua and the wider community before the second reading of the End of Life Choice Bill.
Coffey (Labour) and Rotorua-based NZ First list MP Fletcher Tabuteau were two of 76 MPs to vote to pass the first reading of the bill this week. Rotorua MP Todd McClay (National) was among the 44 to say no.
"I do not believe it is my decision to stop people having their say on this emotive topic," Coffey told the Rotorua Daily Post.
"To vote against the bill at the first stage would effectively be doing this."
He said he was sure people who had watched a loved one suffer would want to have the opportunity to be heard.
"This is definitely a decision that needs to be made by all New Zealanders and not just those of us in Parliament.
"As a new MP I am also looking forward to travelling with the bill as it goes through the process of the House."
Coffey said he would talk with kaumatua and the wider Waiariki community during the Christmas break to gather as many opinions on the bill as he could.
"Once I have the voice of the people I will then be able to make my decision before the second reading."
Tabuteau said New Zealand First had voted for democracy at the first stage of the bill.
"With a commitment from the bill's sponsor, this bill will only come into law if New Zealanders agree to it through a binding referendum," Tabuteau said.
"That's if the bill passes beyond its second and third readings.
"New Zealand First does not think a decision of this magnitude should be left solely in the hands of 120 parliamentarians."
McClay did not respond to requests for comment.
Many of the MPs who voted this week restricted their support to the first reading, saying future support would depend on public submissions and amendments made during the select committee process.
The bill will be considered by the Justice Select Committee. Act leader David Seymour, the bill's sponsor, sought an extended nine-month period for that consideration rather than the usual six months.
The bill would allow mentally competent adults who have a terminal illness likely to end their life within six months, or have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, the choice to ask a doctor to help end their life at the time of their choosing.
The Director-General of Health would create a group of doctors who would maintain a register of health professionals willing to help. A new process would require two medical practitioners to be satisfied a person meets the required criteria. The second would be independent of the patient and initial doctor.
Most parties are allowing MPs to lodge conscience votes, but NZ First's nine MPs voted as a bloc in favour of the legislation. It agreed to vote for Seymour's bill after he agreed to publicly support the holding of a binding referendum on the issue.