Stewart Barbara: Human Tissue Bill — First Reading 
Stewart Barbara: Human Tissue Bill — First Reading 
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BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I rise to support the Human Tissue Bill going to a select committee. It is a very important bill which does need to be discussed by the general public. We really must have their input into a bill such as this. 
The bill deals with a very complex area that is shrouded by emotion at a particularly difficult time for a family—a grieving family. Earlier in the year New Zealand First supported Dr Jackie Blue’s organ donation bill which focused solely on organ donation. We were looking forward to having public input and discussion on that very important issue because we recognise that this whole area does need to be addressed. Dr Blue’s bill has been incorporated in part into this bill and we look forward to having the Health Committee work on this very important issue along with its work on Dr Jackie Blue’s bill. 
The Human Tissue Bill also regulates trading in tissue the export and import of tissue and the use of tissue for non-therapeutic purposes. Regulations are definitely required and safeguards must be in place. 
We have to acknowledge that our organ transplant rate in New Zealand is among the lowest in the world. The human tissue donation rate is an international problem; it is not a problem that only New Zealand has. I know that we are second to last in the world according to recent statistics that I have read and that is not a place New Zealand usually occupies in any health matter. We know already that many people believe in recording their wishes through the driver’s licence system yet there is actually no link between Land Transport New Zealand and any health database. We must wonder why that process has been followed when any decision actually made and recorded on a driver’s licence cannot be accessed in any way. That process really does need to be stopped as it does not mean anything at all. 
The informed consent process is important as we know that people may want to specify which organs they wish to donate and whether those donations are for use by others for medical education or for research. It is really important that people are aware of the entire issue. With the increasing need for organs particularly as a result of the predicted increase in diabetes and obesity in the future it is absolutely essential that the whole area of human tissue donation is clarified for the benefit of everyone. The Health Committee over the years I have actually been on it has received petitions on this subject and action is definitely required. Along with that is the need for education and increased donor awareness and it is to be hoped that publicity will result in increased human tissue donations. We must acknowledge too how essential it is to respect cultural values. I read a recent press release by Andy Tookey who is disappointed in the family veto that this bill allows. There will no doubt be further discussion about that during the select committee’s deliberations. 
Human tissue donation is an issue that has been left in the too-hard basket for many many years. It is a very complex issue but now after the bill goes through the select committee process we will have legislation that should serve the organ donation needs of New Zealanders. Evidence from overseas has shown that legislation does not necessarily increase in any way the rate of organ donation or human tissue donation but New Zealand First agrees with the Minister that an integrated process is necessary to develop a register and to close gaps in the Human Tissue Act 1964. 
We look forward to working further on this bill. We acknowledge that public discussion is required and we are very pleased to support the bill.