LIFESAVING MATCH: CALL FOR MORE YOUNG MĀORI TO JOIN BONE MARROW REGISTRY

More young Māori and Pacific New Zealanders are being urged to join the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry, with greater ethnic diversity potentially making the difference between finding a lifesaving stem cell match or missing out.

The call comes ahead of World Marrow Donor Day on 22 September, highlighting the need to expand the pool of younger and more diverse potential donors.

For people living with blood cancers, blood disorders and immune deficiencies, a stem cell transplant can sometimes offer their best chance of a cure. Matching relies heavily on inherited genetic markers, meaning patients are often more likely to find a compatible donor from someone with a similar ethnic background.

There are more than 40 million potential donors registered worldwide, but around 25 million are of European descent. In New Zealand, only about 6,000 Māori and 3,000 Pacific people are currently on the registry.

Nearly 14,500 New Zealanders are registered overall, but only a small number will ever be asked to donate. During 2025, 34 people underwent further testing after being identified as possible matches and just 11 ultimately donated stem cells.

Joining can begin with something as simple as a cheek swab. Eligible New Zealanders aged between 18 and 35 can order a free kit to complete at home or ask about joining when donating blood or plasma through the New Zealand Blood Service.

Recruitment drives are also being held at universities, with 107 students recently joining at the University of Canterbury and more than 40 signing up following a University of Waikato event.

For Māori and Pacific patients searching for that critical match, growing the diversity of the registry could mean more whānau getting the opportunity for lifesaving treatment.

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