A future free from cancer is within reach — if the next Government chooses to act.
An election year is a crucial moment to influence government priorities. As political parties set their policies, decisions are made that will shape health outcomes for years to come.
Advocating for better cancer outcomes is a core part of Cancer Society New Zealand’s Strategic Plan. The Election Manifesto is one of the key ways we put that strategy into action — setting out clear, evidence‑based actions a future Government can take to prevent cancer, detect it earlier, and reduce its unequal impact.
We’re calling on all political parties to commit to practical, affordable solutions that will save lives and reduce pressure on the health system, regardless of who forms the next Government.
Cancer is New Zealand’s biggest killer. Yet one‑third of cancer cases are preventable, and early detection dramatically improves survival.
With the right decisions, the next Government can save lives, reduce health inequities, and ease pressure on the health system while saving money over time.
The Cancer Society’s 2026 Election Manifesto sets out five evidence‑based actions that are affordable, ready to deliver, and backed by decades of research and experience.
Why action can’t wait
New Zealand is falling behind countries like Australia in cancer prevention and early detection, and people are paying the price.
Every year we delay proven action:
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More families are devastated by a cancer diagnosis
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Health inequities widen, particularly for Māori
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The health system absorbs treatment costs that could have been avoided
Other countries are showing what’s possible when governments act decisively. New Zealand has the tools. What we need now is commitment.
Two immediate wins the next Government can deliver
1. National skin cancer prevention
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand — and more than 90% of cases are preventable.
A modest investment of $5.5 million per year in a coordinated national prevention and early detection programme would:
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Prevent thousands of future cancer cases
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Save up to $700 million in treatment costs over 25 years
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Deliver very high returns for a public health investment
New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world. Despite this there has been no sustained national investment in skin cancer prevention for over a decade. That must change.
2. Eliminating cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers we can eliminate entirely.
Australia is on track to do so by 2035, if not sooner, using the same tools New Zealand already has: HPV vaccination, screening and follow up and treatment. Yet New Zealand lacks a national elimination plan, targets, and resourcing to make it a reality.
Every year we wait:
- More women are diagnosed with a cancer we know how to prevent
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Māori women continue to die at more than twice the rate of non‑Māori women
Elimination is possible – but only with leadership and investment.
Our five priorities for the 2026 election
The Cancer Society is calling on all political parties to commit to five actions that will save lives now and into the future:
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Fully fund cervical screening ($21m per year) and deliver the 90% HPV immunisation target by 2030
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Invest $5.5 million annually in a national skin cancer prevention and early detection programme
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Fund a lung cancer screening programme, with rollout beginning over the next three years
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Lower the bowel screening starting age to 50
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Protect children and families from the commercial drivers of cancer
These actions are affordable, evidence‑based, and ready to implement. They deserve cross‑party support.
A call to all political parties
Cancer doesn’t discriminate – and neither should prevention and early detection.
We’re calling on every political party to:
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Commit to these five actions
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Make cancer prevention a national priority
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Invest now to save lives and reduce long‑term health costs
A future free from cancer won’t happen by chance. It will happen through choices and those choices start now.
Download the documents
Contact us to discuss our policy recommendations: rachael.neumann@cancer.org.nz