Today (Friday 3 July) we released the refreshed New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029 Te Mahere mō te Mate Pukupuku o Aotearoa 2026-2029, which sets the medium-term direction for cancer care across Aotearoa New Zealand. It builds on investments and progress made since the release of the 2019–2029 Plan, while responding to a changing health environment.
Cancer continues to place a significant and growing burden on Aotearoa New Zealand. More than 30,000 people are diagnosed each year, with this number expected to increase significantly in the coming decades as the population ages.
While survival rates have improved, inequities in access and outcomes persist across different communities. This Plan sets a shared, system-wide direction for the next three years, with a strong focus on improving outcomes and ensuring high-quality, equitable cancer care for all New Zealanders.
The eight focus of the Plan are prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end of life care.
The key priorities of the Plan include:
- Reducing inequities in cancer outcomes.
- Strengthening system performance and accountability.
- Supporting consistent delivery across the cancer pathway.
- Maintaining focus on access and timeliness.
- Creating a clearer pathway for implementation and action ownership.
Read the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026-2029.
