The last time Dan Cattermoul donated blood was about 20 years ago.
"Probably even still at school," he said. "Now I'm eligible, so that is great."
Changes announced by the New Zealand Blood Service mean everyone offering to give blood will now be asked questions about their sexual health in recent months.
- Whether they have had anal sex with new or multiple partners
- And if they have had any sexually transmitted infections.
If the answer to either is yes, they will need to wait three months before donating.
This differed from the current screening where questions focused specifically on men who'd had sex with men.
Blood Service chief medical officer Dr Sarah Morley said the move was supported by extensive international evidence and assessments.
"We've also got an enormous amount of evidence behind us from work in other countries that tells us that this is as safe, and possibly safer, than the questions that we've been using."
It has been more than two years since NZ Blood first committed to adjusting its rules and more than a year since Medsafe approved the changes following a national surveillance study on HIV in 2022, led by researcher Tony Sriamporn.
"Our study found no confirmed cases of undiagnosed HIV in the community and also the people that were introducing into the blood donor pool at low to no risk of having HIV so that is people in long-term monogamous relationships."
Similar easing of restrictions came into effect in Australia this week.
Cattermoul welcomed the change: "I respect that this takes time, but obviously removing discrimination barriers is a key factor."
Regardless of a donor's sexuality, the focus would be on specific sexual activity known to carry a higher risk.
Sriamporn said the updated screening would mean more donors were able to help save lives through blood.
"We estimate that at around 13% of gay and bisexual men are eligible under the blanket policy, but we think around 41% could now donate under this individualised risk policy."
The Blood Service has been updating equipment and training staff to prepare, assuring the public screening and comprehensive testing of blood would continue.
Those now eligible could donate from Monday , May 4, with anyone unsure encouraged to check online or with their local donation clinic.
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