Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening. New Zealand has made significant progress through its national immunisation and screening programmes, but Māori and Pacific women continue to experience higher rates of cervical cancer and worse outcomes. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Health system cervical cancer prevention:
- HPV vaccination programme: Free HPV vaccine for school students (and catch-up)
- National Cervical Screening Programme: Regular smear tests and HPV testing
- Colposcopy: Specialist assessment for abnormal results
- Treatment: Cone biopsy, LEEP, hysterectomy for cervical cancer
NCSP:
- Three-yearly smear tests (cervical cytology)
- Moving to primary HPV testing — more sensitive
- Follow-up colposcopy for abnormal results
Cancer Society NZ:
- Patient support for cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Community education on cervical cancer prevention
- Research contribution
Gaming trusts fund cervical cancer prevention:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community health programmes
- Grassroots Trust: Community health
- Pub Charity: Community health events
- Lion Foundation: Community health
Gaming trust cervical cancer applications:
- Community screening outreach (reaching unscreened women)
- Transport to colposcopy appointments
- Patient support during treatment
- HPV awareness campaigns
Cervical cancer has a major equity dimension:
- Māori women: Higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality
- Pacific women: Significant disparities in screening uptake
- Te Puni Kōkiri: Māori women's health equity
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples: Pacific women's cancer health
Addressing unscreened Māori and Pacific women is the top priority for cervical cancer equity.
Emerging technology:
- Self-collection HPV tests: Enabling women who avoid speculum examination to screen
- Community outreach: Bringing screening to women at home
- Equity focus: Self-sampling for Māori and Pacific women
HPV vaccination programme:
- School-age vaccination: Year 8 students (age 12–13)
- Catch-up programme: Free vaccine to older unvaccinated cohorts
- Gender-neutral vaccination: Boys and girls both vaccinated
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Screening rates: Cervical screening participation — especially in underserved groups
- Equity: Māori and Pacific women's specific outreach
- HPV vaccination: Catch-up vaccination in unvaccinated cohorts
- Self-sampling: Novel methods to reach unscreened women
- Patient navigation: Women supported through abnormal results and treatment
- Community trust: Building trust in health services for cervical cancer prevention
- Outcomes: Cases prevented through screening and vaccination
Tahua's grants management platform helps cervical cancer organisations manage grant applications across Te Whatu Ora, Cancer Society NZ, gaming trusts, and health equity funders, tracking screening participation, HPV vaccination, and treatment outcomes.