The New Zealand Blood Service is defending donor rules after claims by a gay community that they are "unnecessary and unfair".
Men who have sex with other men must wait for five years before they give blood under the service's requirements.
Rainbow Wellington chairperson Tony Simpson says the rule is discriminatory and the group is considering take a case to the Human Rights Commission.
The Blood Service's national medical director says the waiting period has been reduced from 10 years following an independent review in March.
Peter Flanagan says all donated blood is tested but sometimes infections in their early stages are not picked up. The rule ensures that donated blood is safe.
The review panel's chairperson, Otago University Professor Charlotte Paul, says careful consideration was given to whether the rule was justified and ethical.
But Mr Simpson says whether the waiting period is five years or 10 years, the criteria stigmatises gay men.
