A New Zealand woman who traveled to China for stem cell treatment has died, said her son on Friday.

Willie Terpstra from Rotorua was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2004. In April last year she became the first New Zealander known to undergo the experimental treatment, which involves transplanting cells from aborted foetuses into the brain.

According to Radio New Zealand, within hours of having surgery at Beijing West Hill Hospital, Terpstra was drinking, and within days her talking, eating and breathing improved.

However, the initial effects did not last and her condition deteriorated.

Terpstra's son, Jan, said she died on Thursday night in the arms of her husband, Rein.

She was 66.

Source: Xinhua