A major shift in Aotearoa New Zealand’s blood donation policy is being welcomed as a long-awaited step toward fairness and inclusion - particularly for gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men.

The New Zealand Blood Service has updated its donor screening process so that everyone is now asked the same set of questions about their recent sexual activity - regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. This includes questions about recent sexual partners and whether they have had anal sex.

This marks a significant move away from previous rules that placed blanket restrictions on specific groups. Instead, eligibility is now assessed based on individual behaviours, allowing more people to donate while maintaining the high safety standards New Zealanders expect.

For many in our communities, this change is deeply significant.

For more than a decade, community advocates, researchers, and organisations like Burnett Foundation Aotearoa have pushed for a system grounded in current science rather than outdated assumptions. Historically, policies excluded entire groups of people, regardless of their actual level of risk. The new approach reflects a growing understanding that risk is better assessed through behaviour, not identity.

Burnett Foundation Aotearoa Chief Executive Liz Gibbs says the change is both practical and symbolic.

At its heart, this shift helps reduce stigma. By asking the same questions of everyone, the policy acknowledges that risk is not defined by who you are, but by what you do - and treats all donors more equally as a result.

It also creates an opportunity for people who were previously excluded to contribute in a meaningful way.

“Ensuring that communities most impacted by HIV are treated with fairness and respect stays central to our work,” says Gibbs.

There are also wider benefits. Expanding eligibility increases the pool of potential donors - something that can help address ongoing pressures on New Zealand’s blood supply.

This progress has been shaped by years of research, including studies like the Sex and Prevention of Transmission Study (SPOTS), alongside advances in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. It also reflects ongoing collaboration between community organisations, clinicians, and government.

The announcement comes as these same groups recently gathered at this year's HIV Forum to discuss the future of HIV prevention, care, and equity in Aotearoa - a reminder that progress happens through partnership and persistence.

While this policy change is an important milestone, it’s not the end of the journey. Burnett Foundation Aotearoa sees it as part of a broader movement toward policies that fully reflect equity, dignity, and up-to-date scientific evidence.

For many, though, this moment matters. It signals recognition, inclusion, and the chance to participate in something as fundamental as helping save lives.