The Cancer Society New Zealand has welcomed the release of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029, describing it as a positive step forward while warning that it does not yet match the scale of the growing cancer burden facing Aotearoa.
Released by Te Aho o Te Kahu – the Cancer Control Agency, the refreshed action plan outlines priorities for the next three years, including prevention, earlier diagnosis, screening, research and improvements to cancer care.
Cancer Society Chief Executive Nicola Coom says the organisation supports many of the initiatives included in the plan, particularly its focus on preventing cancer and improving patient outcomes.
Among the measures welcomed are commitments to develop a national cervical cancer elimination plan, strengthen skin cancer prevention, expand the use of genomics and precision medicine, improve access to diagnostics and screening, and continue work toward a national lung cancer screening programme.
The Cancer Society also supports greater recognition of cancer navigation services, which help patients and their whānau understand treatment options and navigate what can often be a complex healthcare journey.
Another key area highlighted is the plan’s commitment to increasing participation in clinical trials, giving more New Zealanders the opportunity to access cutting-edge treatments and contribute to cancer research regardless of where they live.
Despite those positive developments, the organisation says the strategy does not yet provide the long-term vision needed to respond to the country’s rapidly growing cancer challenge.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in New Zealand, with the number of annual diagnoses expected to increase from around 30,000 cases today to approximately 45,000 over the next 15 to 20 years.
That increase would see the average number of new cancer diagnoses rise from around 80 people each day to 120 every day, placing additional pressure on health services and cancer care across the country.
The Cancer Society says addressing that challenge will require more than short-term planning cycles.
It is calling for a long-term national ambition extending over the next two decades, supported by sustained investment, measurable targets and clear objectives for improving survival rates, reducing inequities, increasing early diagnosis and expanding access to modern cancer medicines.
The organisation believes future strategies should also place greater emphasis on prevention, research and innovation while ensuring all New Zealanders benefit from advances in cancer treatment regardless of where they live or their background.
For Māori, the challenge remains particularly significant. Māori continue to experience poorer cancer outcomes than non-Māori, including higher mortality rates for several cancers and barriers to timely diagnosis, treatment and specialist care. Health leaders have consistently argued that improving equity will require stronger investment in kaupapa Māori services, culturally responsive care, earlier diagnosis and community-led prevention initiatives.
The Cancer Society says the 2026–2029 Action Plan provides an important foundation and recognises many initiatives already underway. However, it believes New Zealand must now define a longer-term vision that extends beyond electoral cycles and commits the country to measurable improvements in cancer outcomes over the coming decades.
As cancer diagnoses continue to rise alongside an ageing population, the organisation says the opportunity now exists to build a health system capable of delivering world-leading cancer prevention, treatment and support for all New Zealanders.
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