Powerful new partnership to eliminate cervical cancer announced
This World Cancer Day, Cancer Society New Zealand is proud to announce a formal partnership with Te Tātai Hauora o Hine — National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa with the goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This new partnership marks the start of a long-term, nationally coordinated effort to ensure lives are saved, and cervical cancer becomes a disease of the past.
Professor Bev Lawton, founder/director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine and 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, says the partnership is significant and strengthens our ability to drive evidence informed action.
“Cervical cancer is now preventable, and we have the evidence, tools and clinical knowledge to eliminate it. Building on the support from the health sector and communities, we are committed to seeing the elimination of cervical cancer through to the end. Let’s just do it, let’s make it happen.”
Cancer Society New Zealand Chief Executive Nicola Coom agrees eliminating cervical cancer in Aotearoa is “both possible and urgent”.
“Eliminating cervical cancer is not aspirational — it is achievable. The research is clear, the evidence is strong, and the pathway is known. When lives can be saved, failing to act is indefensible. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to move from knowledge to action, while also delivering wider benefits for preventing other HPV-related cancers such as head, neck and anal cancers.”
Under the partnership, Te Tātai Hauora o Hine will bring specialist clinical leadership, research leadership and expertise, international alliances and evidence-based equity guidance to shape best practice and inform nationally coordinated approaches to prevention, screening and treatment.
The Cancer Society will contribute its national reach, community connections, corporate partnerships and campaign capability to support widespread awareness, engagement and action across Aotearoa.
Achieving elimination is not possible without addressing inequities. Both organisations bring strong relationships with iwi, hapū and kaupapa Māori providers, recognising that equitable access and outcomes for wāhine Māori are fundamental to meeting elimination targets.
Together, the organisations will drive progress that translates world-leading research into coordinated, on-the-ground action. Aotearoa New Zealand is a signatory to the World Health Organization’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, with targets of 90 percent HPV vaccination coverage, 70 percent screening participation, and 90 percent access to timely treatment. This partnership is designed to help accelerate progress toward those internationally recognised elimination targets and support the design and implementation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy.
The partnership will be launched with an initial $1 million investment, signalling the partners’ collective commitment to urgency and action. This funding enables immediate progress toward cervical cancer elimination while creating a platform for further investment as delivery gets underway.