9.2. Cervical screening Te tirotiro kōpū

9.2. Cervical screening | Te tirotiro kōpū

The primary test for cervical screening in New Zealand is a test for human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of over 95% of cervical cancers. Health New Zealand I Te Whatu Ora offered the option of self-testing in July 2023, which created a rise in numbers of women undergoing cervical screening by 2025.

Figure 129 shows that screening coverage declined in 2021, relative to the February 2020 baseline. It had declined further by 2023 but then recovered strongly to exceed baseline levels in 2025, likely because of the self-testing option.

Figure 129: Changes in cervical screening coverage in New Zealand, by health district

Difference (%) in coverage compared with February 2020 baseline, in 2021, 2023 and 2025

Source: Health New Zealand I Te Whatu Ora, National Cervical Screening Programme Coverage Report, https://tewhatuora.shinyapps.io/nsu-ncsp-coverage/

By early 2025, coverage rates for women of all ethnicities had returned to the baseline rates. Coverage rates fell the most for Pacific women over the pandemic, but these rates recovered rapidly from late 2023 (Figure 130). Again, self-testing is the likely reason.

Figure 130: Changes in cervical screening coverage in New Zealand, by ethnicity, March 2020 to July 2025

Difference (%) in coverage compared with February 2020 baseline

Source: Health New Zealand I Te Whatu Ora, National Cervical Screening Programme Coverage Report, https://tewhatuora.shinyapps.io/nsu-ncsp-coverage/