The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG, the College) welcomes the Aotearoa New Zealand Government’s launch of the New Zealand Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2026–2040, alongside its announcement that cervical screening will be free for all women aged 25 to 69 from 1 March 2027.
RANZCOG has long advocated for free cervical screening for all women in Aotearoa New Zealand and highlighted it as one of the College’s four advocacy priorities for the 2026 New Zealand general election. The Labour Party has also committed to funding free cervical screening through its proposed Medicard scheme. Removing cost as a barrier to cervical screening is a vital step in improving equitable access for women across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the College looks forward to working constructively with the Government to support the implementation of the Plan through to 2040.
Dr Emma Jackson, RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand Vice-President says, “Cervical cancer can be eliminated, and we have the tools to achieve it. RANZCOG has long called for free cervical screening for all women, so it’s fantastic to see broad commitment to this, backed by a national elimination plan with clear targets and timeframes.”
RANZCOG acknowledges that Māori, Pacific Peoples, and people living in areas of deprivation continue to experience higher rates of cervical cancer, impacted by lower rates of vaccination, screening, and timely follow-up care. Achieving elimination requires meeting elimination targets across all population groups, not only in the national average, and RANZCOG will continue to advocate for equity of access and outcomes as this Plan is implemented.
Media enquiries
Catherine Cooper
RANZCOG Executive Director, Aotearoa New Zealand
ccooper@ranzcog.org.nz
+64 21 137 0748
