Behind the Scenes with NZ Blood Service
Wed Aug. 20th 2025
In celebration of National Blood Donor Week 2025, IDFNZ had
the privilege of going behind the scenes with the New Zealand
Blood Service (NZBS).
We were welcomed into three of their key locations — the Auckland Head Office, the Christchurch Branch, and the Mobile Collection Team at Fieldays — to learn more about how New Zealand’s blood donation system works, and to meet some of the generous people who help make it possible. These visits were informative, inspiring, and a timely reminder of the crucial role that blood and plasma donors play in the lives of patients and families nationwide.
Auckland: Innovation, Donors, and National Operations
Our tour began at NZBS’s Head Office in Epsom, Auckland — the central hub for coordination, innovation, and donor engagement across the country. The newly refurbished atrium was bright and inviting, setting the tone for a warm and insightful visit. The staff welcomed us into the donor floor, where we had the opportunity to observe the new Aurora plasma machines in action. These machines have been a game changer, allowing for faster, more comfortable donations and supporting the growing demand for plasma-based treatments. One of the most special moments during our Auckland visit was meeting and chatting with real donors who were giving blood or plasma that day. Some were first-timers, others had been donating for decades. Each had their own reasons for donating — to give back, to honour a loved one, or simply because they could. Speaking with donors added a powerful, human layer to everything we saw. It reminded us that every unit of blood starts with someone making a choice to help a stranger. Their quiet generosity was deeply moving. The tour continued behind the scenes into the testing and processing labs, where each donation is carefully screened for safety and separated into red cells, platelets, and plasma. We also explored the logistics centre, where staff work around the clock to dispatch blood products to hospitals all over Aotearoa. Urgent orders often go out the same day, sometimes even within hours of donation.
Christchurch: Heart of the South Island
In Christchurch, we visited one of NZBS’s busiest regional centres. Here, we were able to see how the team manages blood and plasma collection for much of the South Island. We toured the collection area, spoke with staff in the testing lab, and learned about the logistics of distributing blood and plasma to hospitals across the South Island — from Timaru to Invercargill. The Christchurch centre is a key lifeline for hundreds of patients, including those living with chronic conditions that require regular transfusions or immune therapies.
Fieldays: Bringing Blood Awareness to the Heart of Rural NZ
Our final stop took us to Fieldays 2025 at Mystery Creek, where the NZBS Mobile Team was out connecting with thousands of New Zealanders at one of the country’s largest and most iconic agricultural events. Positioned among tractors, exhibitors, and family crowds, the NZBS stand offered free blood typing — a simple yet powerful way to spark curiosity and start conversations. We were invited to receive a quick finger-prick test to discover our blood type. Blood typing is a simple test that determines what type of blood you have. It’s based on the presence or absence of specific antigens and antibodies in your red blood cells and plasma. More than just an activity, the experience served as an impactful entry point into the world of donation. Across all three locations, we were struck by the same powerful themes: commitment, care, and community. Whether in a high-tech lab in Auckland, a quiet donation chair in Christchurch, or a bustling tent at Fieldays — every part of the NZBS network is built on people helping people. Meeting real donors was a highlight of our experience — each one a quiet hero, offering something truly irreplaceable. Their generosity goes beyond emergencies; plasma donations are essential for producing life-saving medications used by people living with immune deficiencies— the very families and individuals we support at IDFNZ. Behind every donation are the dedicated scientists, nurses, drivers, and coordinators who ensure these precious resources reach those who need them most. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the teams at NZBS Auckland, Christchurch, and Fieldays for opening their doors and sharing their world with us. You’ve inspired us and educated us.
