Corporate documents

Below are the annual reports and strategic documents which guide and/or monitor our progress towards achieving the health system’s goal of improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders and delivering the Agency’s vision of fewer cancers, better survival and equity for all. Our work supports delivery of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029 and the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy 2003. This updated national cancer action plan builds on investments and progress made since the release of the 2019–2029 Plan (available on the Ministry of Health website), while reflecting changes in cancer treatments and the health system. They also align with the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027.

Redactions in corporate documents meet the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld, no public interest has been identified that would outweigh the reasons for withholding it.

Annual Reports

Annual reports highlight's the actions and milestones the Agency has delivered in line with our Strategic Intentions and report on the non-financial performance for each year. They are published each year to provide transparency to the public of the Agency's performance. 

As we are a departmental agency, hosted by the Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora (the Ministry), we receive an annual budget envelope from the Ministry's appropriation within Vote Health for departmental expenditure for operating and personnel expenses. The Agency’s annual reports and Statement of Intentions are published as an as an appendix within the Ministry's documents, as required under the Public Finance Act 1989.

Briefings to the Incoming Minister (BIMs)

We provide BIMs following a general election or where there is change in the Minister of Health. They outline our agency's role, work and key priorities, challenges and strategic opportunities.

They are released to help promote transparency in how we work for our Ministers.

Performance Improvement Review

In late 2025, the Agency's Executive leadership team (ELT) initiated an Agency-led Performance Improvement Review (PIR) to assess how well it was positioned to continue leading cancer control within a significantly changed health system.

This Review used the methods and external reviewers set by the Public Service Commission, but it was not a formal commissioned PIR.

Overall, the Review confirms that the Agency has established strong foundations and credibility across the cancer system. It also highlighted the need to: 

• be clearer about our distinctive role and value proposition within the system 

• focus our efforts more strongly on stewardship, prioritisation, and performance 

• step back from operational activities that sit with other organisations 

• make better use of formal stewardship, monitoring, and accountability levers, including through the Ministry of Health 

• ensure our structure and leadership are well aligned to our role and informed by system partners and stakeholders. 

You can read the full report here: Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency Performance Improvement Review Report March 2026. 

We have developed an action plan to prioritise improvement and monitoring activities that we will implement over in the next 18 months. 

We are grateful to our kaimahi (staff) and colleagues from across the cancer sector who shared their insights. These helped inform the actions we will take to ensure Te Aho o Te Kahu is well positioned to continue leading the sector to deliver on our shared vision of fewer cancer, better survival and equity for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Statement of Strategic Intention

In November 2024 the Agency published our first Statement of Strategic Intention (SOI) which was a new requirement for departmental agencies set by the Treasury.

Our SOI was informed by the 2019–2029 New Zealand Cancer Action Plan and the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy 2003. Its intentions also align with the Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027.

Our six strategic intentions, listed below, have a cancer-specific focus that align with four of the six strategic priorities set by the Ministry. They are:  

1. Provide system-level leadership for cancer
2. Drive cancer system strategy and performance
3. Be the Government’s primary advisor on cancer
4. Future-proof the cancer system
5. Support equity and whānau centred system shifts
6. A high-performing agency focused on cancer. ​​​​​​

You can read more detail from page 23 of the Strategic Intentions 2024–2028 — Ministry of Health NZ.