Skin tissue donation
Last reviewed: August 2026
Skin donation can be considered for patients aged 10 and over, with no upper age limit. It can be facilitated in Auckland City and Waikato Hospitals only.
What does skin donation involve?
A very thin layer of skin is removed from the back and legs only. Nothing is taken from anywhere that would be visible, and an open casket or coffin remains an option for whānau.
Donated skin can be stored for up to five years and is used as a temporary dressing for patients with severe burns.
The skin tissue donation process
The process is the same for all tissue donations.
What is specific to skin:
- The tissue bank's exclusion criteria for skin are stricter than for eye tissue. Many patients with a history of cancer can donate eye tissue but not skin.
Learn more about tissue donation
The six-step process, screening, bloods and the physical assessment.
Talking to whānau about skin tissue donation
If you don't have the answer, call ODNZ, or ask the whānau spokesperson whether they would like a donor coordinator to phone them directly.