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Cancer information

Find out more about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common cancers in Aotearoa.

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Read our reports

Explore our publications on cancer control and quality improvement.

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Latest news & updates

Read our Chief Executive’s updates and media releases

Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Aho o Te Kahu

Welcome to Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency

Te Aho o Te Kahu is a government agency created in recognition of the impact cancer has on the lives of New Zealanders. We lead and unite efforts to deliver better cancer outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Aho o Te Kahu is guided by the goals and outcomes in the National Cancer Action Plan 2019-2029.

Our name Te Aho o Te Kahu means the central thread (Te Aho) of the cloak (Te Kahu) and refers to the role we play in uniting and aligning all the service providers, organisations and people across the cancer continuum who wrap a protective cloak around those with cancer. The name was gifted by  Hei Āhuru Mōwai, the Māori Cancer Leadership Network.



Our Vision Tō Tātou Whāinga

Fewer cancers Kia whakaiti iho te mate pukupuku

Better survival Kia runga noa ake te mataora

Equity for all Kia taurite ngā huanga

In this video, the first Te Aho o Te Kahu Chief Executive, Prof. Diana Sarfati, introduces the Cancer Control Agency. Rami Rahal was appointed as Chief Executive after Diana was appointed as Chief Executive, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health.

OUR VALUES

He Mana Taurite
Equity-led

We strive for equity for all New Zealanders.

Mana Tāngata
whānau-centred

We put people at the heart of all our work.

Whai Māramatanga
Knowledge-driven

We are guided by the best information & insights.

Kia Angitū
Outcomes-focused

We relentlessly deliver better outcomes for all.

What is going on at Te Aho o Te Kahu?

Blood cancer availability analysis report released

Blood cancer availability analysis report released

Click this image to read the report we released on Thursday 24 October analysing the differences between blood cancer medicines that are publicly funded in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. This complements the report Understanding the Gap: an analysis of the availability of cancer medicines in Aotearoa we released in 2022.

Increasing access to new cancer medicines

Increasing access to new cancer medicines

Find out how new medicines are being made available as a result of the Government’s $604 million budget boost to Pharmac’s Combined Pharmaceutical Budget (CPB). The Increasing Access to Medicines Programme is a collaboration between Health New Zealand and Te Aho o Te Kahu, with support from the Ministry of Health and Pharmac.

Hearing the voice of whānau Māori

Hearing the voice of whānau Māori

To better understand the lived experiences of whānau Māori, Te Aho o Te Kahu partnered with mana whenua and local health organisations to hold 13 community hui across the motu. You can read the three resulting reports here.

National apologies to survivors of abuse in state care

National apologies to survivors of abuse in state care

On Tuesday 12 November, the Prime Minister will apologise on behalf of the nation for the failures of the State across many governments, as recommended in the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Following a mihi whakatau, proceedings will begin mid-morning with survivor voices and apologies from seven government agency Chief Executives. The event will be streamed online, screened on Parliament TV with concurrent events at: - Due Drop Events Centre in Auckland - Shed 6 in Wellington, and the - Christchurch Town Hall. For anyone needing support, a helpline, Safe to Talk, is available 24/7: 📞 Phone 0800 044 334 📱 Free txt 4334 📧 Email support@safetotalk.nz Kia kaha.