27064 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

27064 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What is the expected ongoing annual cost of screening the population aged 56 to 59 once the programme is fully rolled out, and is the $6.766 million per year provided from 2028/29 sufficient to meet it?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the $6.766m from 2028/29 relates to the National Bowel Screening Programme Age Extension, in addition to $13.089m for the National Bowel Screening Programme - Changes to Lower the Age of Eligibility for all New Zealanders. I am further advised that the ongoing annual cost of screening for the population aged 56 to 59 once the programme is fully rolled out is $19.86 million.