Kiwi Facebook users will be able to share their organ donor status with friends from today.

But New Zealanders still need to make their wishes clear to their families, Organ Donation New Zealand says.

New Zealand is the fifth country to be included in the online project to raise awareness of organ donation and encourage people to become registered organ donors.

People can add "organ donor" as a life event on their timeline.

The project has already been launched in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands.

The Health Ministry and Organ Donation New Zealand approved the scheme which launched here today.

However, Organ Donation New Zealand said it was concerned that the generic wording on Facebook around organ donation may cause confusion.

"New Zealand does not have a donor register, If you do express that you would like to be an organ donor on Facebook, remember to also have a discussion with your family," cclinical director Stephen Streat said.

"Because this is a global initiative, the wording may lead people to believe that they are a registered organ donor."

People who add their organ status to their Facebook page still needed to make their wishes clear to their family, he said.  

"In New Zealand you can currently register your wishes on your driver's licence. However, like the new tool on Facebook, this is an indication of your wishes. It is important to also have this conversation with your family so they know what you want should you ever be in a situation where organ donation is possible."

"It is important to remember that fewer than 1 per cent of people die in situations where organ donation is possible. An organ donor must be on a ventilator in an intensive care unit and have fatal brain damage."

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced earlier this month that an extra $4 million  would be spent on encouraging more organ donations.

Last year 186 people received transplants in New Zealand, but many more are still waiting for organs to be donated in order to have a transplant, including 600 people needing kidney replacements.

Half of the extra funding would go towards training and support for intensive care health professionals to identify dying patients who might become donors - and give greater support to their families, Mr Ryall said.

A further $250,000 will be spent on investigating the establishment of a national donor exchange scheme and $1.75 million will go towards increasing live organ donation, by employing dedicated staff who can support and guide family and friends while they make the decision to become donors.

- © Fairfax NZ News