The more than 35,000 submissions to David Seymour's controversial End of Life Choices Bill is the highest number ever received.
And Raymond Huo, chairman of Parliament's justice select committee, which will deliberate on the submissions, said yesterday the unprecedented response was "indicative of the significance of this complex issue to so many New Zealanders".
And here in Whanganui, the debate over assisted dying has raged as fiercely as anywhere, prompting MP Harete Hipango to host a public meeting on the issue.
Read more: Opinion: Seymour shuns submitters on end-of-life bill
It will be held on Tuesday, May 29, at the Central Baptist Church, and Ms Hipango said it would be an opportunity for the Whanganui public to express their views about the bill.