An urgent call has been made for blood donations, with the country's stocks of O blood falling dangerously low.
The so called "wonder-blood" can be used on any patient - but following a busy period, the Blood Service is making a rare call for donations to be made over the course of this week.
The current situation has seen some ill patients in hospitals needing lots of units of O-Negative.
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"Every unit that we get has the potential to save a life, and your blood type only 9 percent of the population have - so it is quite a rare and special blood type that we're looking for," Auska Burge of the New Zealand Blood Service says.
It's so unique, it can be given to anyone.
"It's really important - blood only lasts 35 days, so we need a continuous supply of that blood," Ms Burge says.
Nationwide, there are only 320 units of the wonder blood left.
At 350 units, the Blood Service starts to feel comfortable, but they need even more to be prepared for the worst.
The Blood Service provides all of the country's hospitals with blood, and it's O-Negative blood stocks haven't been this low in over a year.
The appeal started on Monday morning, and they have seen an increase of donors coming in - but it's still not enough.
One donor, Olivia Ensor, has the 'magic' blood.
"I've never really thought about it," she says.
But she has thought of the difference she can make by working in an emergency department. She has seen the importance the blood can have first hand.
"The least I could do is donate, because anyone can use my blood."
Each donation can save three lives. Ms Ensor has donated ten times - potentially saving up to 30 herself.
Newshub.
