01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
319 views
BreastScreen Aotearoa has expanded free breast screening to include women turning 71, continuing a four-year rollout that will eventually cover women aged 70 to 74, benefiting approximately 120,000 more women. The government has increased capacity with four new mobile units and five new or upgraded sites to improve access, particularly in rural areas, leading to early detection of hundreds of breast cancers since the program began. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance women's health in New Zealand, including upcoming free cervical screening and improved endometriosis diagnosis.
30 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
258 views
New Zealand is lowering the starting age for free bowel screening from 58 to 56, expanding access to over 200,000 additional people and funding more colonoscopies to detect bowel cancer early. This $45.6 million investment aims to prevent 638 cancers and save 522 lives over 25 years, with staged program expansion ensuring adequate workforce and endoscopy capacity. The initiative, aligned with Australia’s standards, includes new pathways like the FIT for Symptomatic test to prioritize urgent cases and improve screening efficiency.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
535 views
From 1 March 2027, cervical screening will be free for all eligible women aged 25 to 69 in New Zealand, removing a financial barrier that currently limits participation, especially among younger women. The government has also released the New Zealand Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2026 to 2040, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by reducing cases to fewer than four per 100,000 women annually through vaccination, timely screening, and treatment targets. Key goals include increasing screening and vaccination rates, ensuring prompt follow-up care, and ultimately saving more lives by detecting and treating cervical cancer early.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
467 views
From 1 March 2027, cervical screening will be free for all eligible women aged 25 to 69 in New Zealand, aiming to remove cost barriers and increase screening rates. The government also released the New Zealand Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2026–2040, which sets ambitious targets to eliminate cervical cancer by reducing incidence and improving timely treatment and vaccination coverage. These initiatives build on existing programs to detect and treat cervical cancer early, ultimately saving more lives.
01 Jul 2026
3 months ago
794 views
New Zealand is rolling out a home faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for people with bowel cancer symptoms to prioritize colonoscopies for those at higher risk, thereby reducing wait times and freeing specialist capacity. This initiative supports the government’s goal to lower the bowel screening age from 60 to 56 and beyond, enabling earlier detection and treatment of bowel cancer. By reducing unnecessary colonoscopy referrals by up to 30%, the test helps manage increased demand while improving timely access to care for symptomatic patients.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
947 views
New Zealand is lowering the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening from 58 to 56 starting September, expanding access to over 200,000 additional people and aiming to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. Budget 2026 allocates $45.582 million to support this expansion, including funding for program delivery, infrastructure, equipment, and increased colonoscopy capacity. The phased rollout aligns with efforts to match Australia’s screening age and includes the nationwide implementation of the FIT for Symptomatic pathway to prioritize urgent cases and optimize healthcare resources.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
1135 views
The New Zealand Government is investing a record $5.8 billion in Budget 2026 to improve healthcare access, reduce wait times, and strengthen frontline services, raising total health spending to $34.2 billion in 2026/27. This funding supports increased care delivery across various sectors, including elective surgeries, cancer treatments, mental health services, and aged care, alongside initiatives like paediatric palliative care and enhanced digital health security. Additionally, structural changes such as removing the capital charge for Health New Zealand aim to improve efficiency without affecting patient care or overall service delivery.
21 May 2026
5 months ago
987 views
Pink Ribbon Day highlights the importance of early breast cancer detection, with over 16,440 women aged 70 to 74 already benefiting from free screening since eligibility was extended last year. The nationwide age extension, part of a four-year rollout, has led to the detection of 190 breast cancers in this group, potentially improving treatment outcomes through earlier diagnosis. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that expanding screening programs supports early detection, better recovery chances, and strengthens New Zealand's healthcare future.
08 May 2026
5 months ago
950 views
Wairarapa Hospital will build a new purpose-built endoscopy suite to increase local capacity, reduce delays, and improve access to diagnostic services, minimizing the need for patients to travel outside the region. The current endoscopy services are limited by inadequate facilities, and the new suite will address rising demand, support faster diagnosis, and free up theatre space for elective surgeries. This development is part of a $34.2 million investment in diagnostic services, including a new MRI scanner, aimed at enhancing healthcare infrastructure and patient care in the Wairarapa region.
12 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1325 views
Health New Zealand is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance breast screening services, aiming to support radiologists, reduce workload, and improve early detection for women. This initiative involves consulting experts and assessing international AI applications to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered screening while maintaining clinical oversight. The effort builds on recent program improvements and seeks to future-proof breast screening, ensuring timely access and better outcomes for New Zealand women.
04 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1308 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize advancements in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered decisions and improved access to modern treatments. Over the past two years, the government has implemented initiatives such as funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, lowering bowel screening age, and investing in infrastructure and workforce to enhance early detection and treatment. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, bring care closer to home, and ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care nationwide.
04 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1308 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize progress in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered improvements such as earlier detection, faster treatment access, and modern therapies. Key initiatives include funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, establishing faster treatment targets, investing in infrastructure and workforce, and developing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, enhance treatment accessibility, and provide equitable, high-quality care nationwide.
11 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1093 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has highlighted progress in cancer control over the past five years, including reduced smoking rates, improved screening, and better long-term survival, as detailed in The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025 report. The Government is implementing initiatives such as expanding screening programs, investing $604 million in cancer medicines, upgrading treatment infrastructure, and launching New Zealand’s first cervical cancer elimination strategy to enhance cancer care. Despite these advances, cancer diagnoses are expected to rise significantly by 2044, prompting a refreshed Cancer Action Plan to prepare the health system for future challenges.
15 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1433 views
A new fixed breast screening site has opened in Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast, providing women with easier access to mammograms closer to home. The purpose-built facility offers a more comfortable and spacious environment than the previous mobile unit, with upgraded equipment and IT systems. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg emphasize the importance of early detection through screening, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the effectiveness of mammograms in improving survival rates for women with breast cancer.
15 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1693 views
The nationwide breast screening age extension is progressing, with women aged 70 and 74 now eligible for free screening, marking the first step in a four-year rollout to include women aged 71 to 73 in subsequent years. The initiative aims to provide around 130,000 more women with screening every two years, allowing for early detection of breast cancer and improved survival rates. The extension, part of the Government's 100-Day Plan, is supported by increased staffing, upgraded equipment, and a new digital platform to enhance accessibility and efficiency in breast screening services.