Labour will make cervical screening free if it wins the 2026 general election, the party announced today.
Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said it would be added to the party’s Medicard scheme.
Announced last month, the Medicard scheme would offer three free doctor’s visits a year to all New Zealanders, and would be funded by a narrow capital gains tax.
Today, Verrall said taking a Medicard to a doctor or community screening event would also allow for free cervical screening for those aged 25 to 69 from October 2027.
Verrall said this would prevent cancers and avoid costly hospital treatments.
“Each year 175 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 55 die from it.
“Almost every case is preventable with better uptake of cervical screening and vaccination.”
Verrall said free screening means earlier diagnosis, lives saved, and less pressure on hospitals.
“No one should have to pay for cervical screening when other screening programmes are free.
“New Zealand has committed to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Free cervical screening and HPV vaccination will help us reach that goal.”
The policy would not change eligibility for cervical screenings, and would cost $21.6m in the first year, to be funded out of the health baseline.
