New Blood and Plasma Donor Centre opens to meet growing demand

Due to increasing demand for lifesaving plasma donations, New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) has today opened a new Blood and Plasma Donor Centre at 65 Constellation Drive on Auckland’s North Shore.  

Every day across Aotearoa, thousands of New Zealanders face medical challenges they never expected, and many of those patients depend on the precious gift of plasma. Each week, NZBS is currently short of around 250 plasma donations to meet national demand.

Plasma is the golden liquid that makes up more than half our blood. It’s used to treat over 50 illnesses – from cancer and kidney disease to blood clots and liver failure – and used to make up to 11 lifesaving products. 

“We need 1,300 more regular plasma donors by June 2026 – that's 37 more people each week throughout the country to keep up with the growth in demand,” says Scott Sinclair, Team Leader of Donor Relations at New Zealand Blood Service. 

“It’s a safe, repeatable and direct way to change lives. Many people don’t realise how vital plasma is; it really is liquid gold. And because it can be donated every two weeks, plasma offers a powerful way for donors to make a regular, lifesaving impact,” explains Sinclair. 

The new Constellation Drive Donor Centre.

The new Constellation Drive Donor Centre will feature six plasma donation beds and two whole blood donation beds, providing a comfortable, modern, and easily accessible location for North Shore residents to give back.  

“The Northern region, which is everything north of the Bombay Hills, is responsible for collecting a third of New Zealand’s plasma donations, so opening the new centre will be an absolute game changer in helping us meet demand,” Sinclair says. 

In 2024 alone, more than 21,000 New Zealanders relied on plasma-derived products for their health and wellbeing. Demand is rising rapidly, particularly for immunoglobulins; a vital treatment for people with low antibody levels or autoimmune conditions. While fewer than 2,000 patients currently require immunoglobulins each year, this number has surged by 41% since 2020, highlighting the pressing need to expand plasma collection capacity.  

“With just three donor centres serving a city of 1.7 million, access to donation facilities can be challenging, especially for communities north of the Harbour Bridge. The Takapuna Donor Centre, with only 10 beds, currently services the entire North Shore.  

“The new Constellation Drive Donor Centre will double plasma collection capacity in the Albany area, replacing the popular blood and plasma mobile drives that regularly attract 80–100 donors. Located in a bustling business district, the centre is within a 15-minute drive for nearly 237,000 residents, making it easier for donors to give before or after work. 

“By removing geographic barriers and responding to donor feedback around location and time constraints, this new centre is a crucial step in ensuring every New Zealander has access to the lifesaving treatments they need,” explains Sinclair. 

North Shore local Michaela Von Sturmer knows first-hand the importance of blood and plasma donations. “When I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, my world turned upside down. I needed blood transfusions every single day just to stay alive and plasma too, which we came to call ‘liquid gold’.

“Over the course of my treatment, I received hundreds of transfusions, each one giving me strength and hope. Without the generosity of donors, I wouldn’t be here today. Blood, plasma, and stem cell donations truly save lives; I’m living proof. Thanks to those who donated, I’ve returned to teaching, I’ve welcomed a grandson, and I’m back in the community I love.” 

Sinclair says the new Constellation Drive Donor Centre needs 126 plasma donations each week, and is encouraging both new and returning donors to book their next appointment by visiting nzblood.co.nz or downloading the NZ Blood app.  

For media inquiries, please contact: