Talk to your family

Even though your donor information is recorded on your driver licence, at the time of death, the decision to donate your organs will lie with your family.

Therefore, should you choose to become a donor, the best thing you can do is to ensure your wishes are followed is to make sure you tell your family, loved ones and friends.

It is also important to know that you can specify the organs and tissues that you wish to donate, only the organs and tissues consented to will be retrieved. Please make sure your family knows which organs and tissues you are willing to donate.

In New Zealand the family's wishes will always be respected and organs and tissues will not be retrieved if the family has any objection.

Remember, do not depend on your will to make your decisions known, this is usually read some time after death when donation is no longer possible.

Even though this is a personal decision, if you are ever in the situation where donation is being considered, this decision will affect your family. That is why it is so important to discuss it with your family now.