Nation's leaders join small clique of organ donors

Ask a few of our nation's leaders if they've ticked the box to be an organ donor if brain-dead and most can't recall their decision.

Prime Minister Helen Clark needed to check her driver's licence to prompt her memory. "I must have ticked the box in some public-spirited moment," she said, sounding a tad surprised.

"It's up to people whether they want others to have their organs or not.

"If someone wants mine, they're welcome to them."

National leader Don Brash also had to delve into his wallet to confirm his suspicions that he had agreed.

"There's no point having them burned or buried when they can be of use to someone else," he says of his organs.

"I've always strongly supported organ donation."

Health Minister Annette King knew she had put her heart where her mouth was as a signed-up donor.

Two weeks ago, she announced a government action plan aimed at boosting organ donor numbers, including establishing a national organ donation agency and boosting public education on the issue.

Despite 1.1 million New Zealanders agreeing to donate organs on their driver's licences, the country has one of the lowest donor rates in the developed world with about 10 dead donors per million people yearly. About 350-500 people are waiting for organ transplants, including rugby legend Jonah Lomu, who needs a kidney transplant.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has joined the 4.7m residents across the ditch signed up to donate, prompted by media magnate Kerry Packer's pleas for more recruits. The Australian billionaire had a kidney transplant in 2000, donated by his helicopter pilot.

The issue of organ donation has also gained strong support from Lord of the Rings' Oscar-winning director, Peter Jackson.

But despite people choosing to be donors, families can override a brain-dead relative's wish to donate organs under law. King's planned review could make a person's wishes binding regardless of their family's stance.

The Ministry of Health is due to release a discussion document soon reviewing the 1964 Human Tissue Act, raising options to increase organ donation rates. The public will be asked for their views over the next three months.

King said a crucial issue for organ donation was informed consent.

"(The review) asks people how binding should our consent be. We will be getting feedback as to whether you make it as binding as a will."

The review will also consider heart-beating and non-heart-beating organ donation, including whether law changes could make donation possible after someone's heart had stopped.

The review was partly prompted by fallout from Green Lane Hospital's heart-bank controversy. Two years ago, it revealed it kept 1300 babies' and children's hearts - many without family consent - since the 1950s.

As a result, a body parts, tissues and substances review panel was established, which recommended amendments to the act in 2002.