The success of the country's first three-way kidney transplants has raised hopes that more, and quicker, transplants can now be done.
147 kidney transplants were completed in New Zealand last year. Photo: 123RF
Three pairs of donors and recipients took part in the successful kidney swaps earlier this month, in a procedure that could speed up the wait for the hundreds of people who need a transplant.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said often people were keen to help a friend or loved one in need of a new kidney but were not a match.
"So that donor can't give the kidney to a recipient. So you match them up with another donor and recipient in exactly the same situation and you do a cross-match.
"And of course, this is New Zealand's three-way kidney exchange where you have three pairs - three lots of donors and recipients - each pair of which is not a match but between the three pairs you're able to get compatible matching so that all the recipients are able to receive a perfectly-matched kidney."
Dr Coleman said it was an innovative approach and an important step towards increasing the number of kidney transplants taking place.
He said 147 kidney transplants were carried out in New Zealand last year.
"But there's many more hundreds of people who are waiting for a kidney."
He said there was legislation before Parliament which would mean organ donors did not suffer any financial losses in doing so.
"There's a review going on which focuses on how we increased deceased donor rates. And that's all about making people much more aware in advance of their loved ones' desire around organ donation.
"Basically changing the culture around organ donation in general."