UPDATED 8.07AM Diabetes New Zealand is hopeful more financial support for those who donate their organs to diabetics will help bring some normality into the lives of those living with the disease.
National MP Chris Bishop's Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill passed its third and final reading in Parliament House yesterday with overwhelming support from MPs.
LISTEN ABOVE: National MP Chris Bishop spoke with Mike Hosking
The new compensation regime will give people wanting to donate organs up to 12 weeks of their normal income while they recuperate after surgery.
In parliament yesterday, Health Select Committee member Dr Shane Reddy acknowledged his colleagues' efforts and gave thanks to New Zealanders throughout history and today who've made the move possible.
MPs then voted unanimously in favour of the bill.
SEE ALSO:Â Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill passes into law
Diabetes New Zealand Chief Executive Steve Crew said it means many of New Zealand's 260,000 sufferers who are on dialysis might now have a chance at a more normal life.
Mr Crew said for people whose kidneys aren't functioning properly, dialysis is often the only option, and that means many hours a day, several times a week.
While he warned transplants aren't for every patient, he said there will certainly be more opportunities for people to donate, especially those who previously haven't been able to help because they're struggling financially.
"It will help people live longer and more productively because they will not be spending so much time on dialysis - they could be spending more time with their family, so its better both financially and economically."
But he said the best measure is to focus on prevention in the first place.
"We've got to get this early, people need to know the risks and causes so we don't get to the stage where diabetes is causing kidney failure."
While the Members' Bill is now on the path to becoming law, it's likely it won't come into effect until next year.
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