Are you an embryo donor or a parent through embryo donation in New Zealand?

Have you experienced contact with the donor or recipient family before the donor-conceived child turned 18?

Emma Hurley is a psychology student at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). As part of her Master of Health Science, she is conducting a research project to better understand the experiences of early contact between embryo donors and recipient families.

What is this research about?

This study explores the expectations, challenges, and outcomes of contact that occurs before the donor-conceived child turns 18. These insights will help inform best practices and support services for:

• Embryo donors

• Recipient parents

• Donor-conceived children

• Counsellors and fertility professionals

  
  

Who can take part?

You are warmly invited to participate if:

• You have donated embryos or

• You have become a parent via embryo donation

• The donation took place through a New Zealand fertility clinic

• There has been contact between donor and recipient families after birth and before the child turned 18

  
  

What’s involved?

You’ll be invited to take part in a confidential, one-on-one interview lasting approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Interviews can take place:

• In person (in the Auckland area)

• Online or by phone (nationwide)

Your insights will be treated with care and confidentiality, and will contribute to a growing understanding of embryo donation experiences in Aotearoa.

Why participate?

Your voice could help improve:

• Counselling services for embryo donation

• Support networks for families

• Policy and practice across fertility care in NZ

  
  

Get in touch

If you're interested or have questions, please contact: Emma Hurley📧 jqz4803@autuni.ac.nz

Approved by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee on 13 May 2025. AUTEC Reference number 25/121.