How to become a donor

The most important step when you have made a decision about becoming an organ donor is to tell your family your wishes and let them know which organs and tissues you are willing to donate. You also need to find out what other members of your family want. No-one knows when we might be faced with this decision.

In New Zealand people can register their wish to be a donor when they apply for their driver licence and subsequent renewals. This information is recorded on the driver licence with the word 'donor' and in the Land Transport New Zealand database.

However, even though this donor information is recorded on the driver licence, at the time of death the family will always be asked if they knew the wishes of their relative and their agreement to the donation of organs and tissues will be sought. If the wishes are not known, the Land Transport New Zealand information can be accessed by designated health professionals. This information can help the family to come to a decision.

It can be a little easier for families to make this decision if the wishes of their relative are known.