50768 (2025). Hūhana Lyndon to the Minister of Health

50768 (2025). Hūhana Lyndon to the Minister of Health: How is the Government tracking against the target of 70% coverage of eligible women for Breast Screening, and what barriers, if any, have been identified that have prevented targets from being met?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that, as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare, Health New Zealand is on track to breast screen 70% of the eligible population every two years. As the Member may be aware, two-year breast screening coverage was 68.8% as of 30 September 2025; up from 67% in September 2023. I am further advised that to minimise any barriers, Health New Zealand is opening new screening and assessment facilities and procuring new mobile screening units to deliver screening in more communities. I am also advised that the new National Breast Screening system was fully implemented across all providers in June 2025. This has enabled the programme to shift to an opt-out enrolment approach, enhancing the ability to identify eligible women and further improve the national coverage rate.