Review finds NZ cervical screening overwhelmed by HPV self-test rollout, causing diagnosis delays

A 2025 report by the Parliamentary Review Committee on New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme warns that the system is under severe pressure after the 2023 rollout of take-home HPV tests. Health providers say the surge in referrals for cervical cytology and colposcopy was not adequately funded, leading to significant waiting times and, in some instances, cancers diagnosed later than recommended. The report also condemns the national screening register for failing to identify and contact under-screened groups, particularly Māori and Pacific women, describing it as “clinically unsafe.”

It recommends universal free screening to begin next year and calls for a Te Tiriti-based co-governance structure across the programme. Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall defended the increased uptake but acknowledged resource gaps, while Health Minister Simeon Brown and National leader Winston Peters criticised the rollout and the co-governance proposal.