cervical screening Support Services

Q: Register for free breast screening

To register you can either: call 0800 270200 or fill in the this form here . Once you have enrolled, you will be contacted within 10 working days.

Q: Where to go for breast screening in the Bay of Plenty

You can have your breast screen at clinics in Tauranga , Mount Maunganui and Whakatāne , or through mobile units that visit rural towns across the Bay. See the schedule here !

Q: If you are not eligible for free breast screening

If you can’t get free breast screening, talk to your doctor about your options. You might still be able to have a breast screen privately or get a referral for other tests if needed. Learn more: Taking care of your breasts — Breast Cancer Foundation

Q: What is HPV and how is it linked to cervical cancer?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus. Some types can cause changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer over time. Cervical screening checks for these types of HPV early, before they can cause harm.

Q: Who should get cervical screening in New Zealand?

Anyone aged 25 to 69 who has a cervix and has ever been sexually active should have regular cervical screening.

Q: How often do I need to get screened?

Most people need cervical screening every 5 years, but some may need it more often. If you’re unsure, ask your nurse doctor or our team.

Overdue for cervical screening or never had one? We’re here to help.

Cervical Screening Support Services

Overdue for cervical screening or never had one? We’re here to help.

We offer free local support for Māori and Pacific wāhine and whānau aged 25–69, as well as anyone aged 30–69 who has never had a cervical screen or hasn’t had one in the last five years.

Our service can help you understand your options, connect with our free community clinics and guide you to take the next step. Whether that’s a self-test, an appointment or follow-up care. If you’re not sure what support is available for you, where to go or just want to learn more about it, keep scrolling to find out.

I am ready to kōrero

Who Can Get Free Cervical Screening?

Māori or Pacific wāhine and whānau aged 25 to 69
Anyone aged 25 to 69 and have a Community Services Card
Anyone aged 30 or older who has:
- Never had a cervical screening test; or
- Not had a cytology test in the last 5 years; or
- Not had an HPV test in the last 7 years
Anyone aged 70 to 74 who has not had:
- Two normal results between ages 62–69; or
- A negative HPV result in the last 5 years
Anyone in need of follow-up screening

Note: You must also be eligible for public health services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Check here.

How We Can Support You With Cervical Screening

Free support is available for Māori and Pacific wāhine and whānau aged 25–69, as well as anyone aged 30–69 who has never had a cervical screen or hasn’t had one in the last five years. If this is you, here’s how we can help:

KŌRERO – By phone or in person, we are here to help answer all your screening questions.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT – We can help you book your screening at a community clinic.
SUPPORT WITH ACCESS – If you need help getting to your appointment, we may be able to help.
FOLLOW-UP CARE – We’ll check in and support you at every step.
SPECIALIST SUPPORT – We offer help from a Kaiāwhina and with access for Colposcopy.

Reach out for support

How to Get Cervical Screening Support

Choose one of these three easy ways to get free support for your cervical screening:

Use the online form
Just answer a few quick questions below and we’ll be in touch.

Call 0800 920 033
Speak with our coordinator or leave us a voice message.

Text 027 585 8651
Send an SMS with your details and we will get back to you.

What Is Cervical Screening and Who Needs It?

Cervical screening is a simple test that checks for types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to cervical cancer. Finding HPV early gives you the best chance to prevent cancer from developing.

You should have regular cervical screening if you:

Are 25 to 69 years old
Have a cervix
Have ever been sexually active, even just once

This includes women, trans men, non-binary and intersex people who have a cervix.

How often do you need cervical screening?

Most people only need to be screened every 5 years, but some may need to be screened more often. If you're not sure how often you need screening, talk to your nurse, doctor or hauora provider.

How Cervical Screening Works

There are two ways to take a sample for cervical screening:

Vaginal swab – A simple self-test you can do in private at your general practice, community health services or sometimes at home. A nurse or doctor can take your swab if you prefer.
Cervical sample – A nurse or doctor will use a Speculum and soft brush to collect a sample from your cervix.
This used to be called a Smear test, and sometimes may still be recommended for you.

What to expect next

Your results will be sent to your nurse or doctor. In some cases, you may need a follow up test or a referral for a specialist review (colposcopy), if a closer check of your cervix is needed.

Watch how each cervical screening test is done

Play Video

Click to watch in te reo Māori and NZSL,
plus videos for Pacific and Rainbow communities.

PREFER TO READ? VIEW GUIDE

Play Video

This video is also available featuring
Pacific and Rainbow communities perspectives.

Prefer to read? View guide

Free Clinics for Cervical Screening

If you’re eligible for free cervical screening, you can visit a community clinic in the Bay of Plenty. Some offer walk-ins, others need an appointment. To book your visit, call 0800 920 033, text 027 585 8651 or fill out the online form.

Western Bay of Plenty

Arataki Community Centre
Zambuk Way, Mount Maunganui
First Tuesday of each month, 4pm–6.30pm
Rangiora Health Hub
95 Sixteenth Avenue, Tauranga
Wednesdays, 9am–4pm
Last Friday of each month, 9am–12pm
Huria Trust
1 Te Kaponga Street, Brookfield, Tauranga
Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm
Te Puke Community Centre
68 Commerce Lane, Te Puke
By appointment only

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Clinics are delivered by
Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa at:

Kahu Taurima
43 Domain Road, Whakatāne
First, second and fourth Tuesday
of each month,10am–2pm
Te Tai Community Hub
44 Tuhoe Street, Tāneatua
Third Tuesday of the month, 10am–2pm
Ōpōtiki Health Centre
32 King Street, Ōpōtiki
Every second Wednesday, 11am–2pm

Need help? Kōrero mai

What If You’re Not Eligible for Free Screening?

If you're not eligible for free cervical screening, you can still get a test through your general practice.

What You Can Do

Talk to your general practice team – They can check if you're due and what it will cost.
Contact the National Cervical Screening Programme – They can check if you’re due, update your details and answer questions. Call 0800 729 729 or email info@ncspregister.health.nz.
Find a local provider – Cervical screening is available through all general practices and some community health clinics across the Bay of Plenty.
Understand the cost – Prices can vary between services as each clinic sets its own fees.

Find a screening provider

Meet the team

Gemma Pearson

Support to Screening Nurse
gemma.pearson@wboppho.org.nz

Ruthie Jones

Support to Screening Coordinator
ruthiej@wboppho.org.nz

Cervical Screening FAQs

What is cervical screening?

What is HPV and how is it linked to cervical cancer?

Who should get cervical screening in New Zealand?

How often do I need to get screened?

How do I know when to get a cervical screen? 

You can ask your general practice, hauora provider, or the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP). They can check if you’re due or overdue, update your contact details, and answer any questions.

Call the NCSP on 0800 729 729 or email info@ncspregister.health.nz.

It’s also important to see your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms that worry you, such as unusual bleeding between periods or after sex, pain in your lower tummy or during sex, or unusual discharge.

Is cervical screening free in New Zealand?

Can I self-test for cervical screening?

What happens during a cervical sample test?

What is follow-up testing?

Follow-up testing happens when your screening results show something that needs a closer look. The type of follow-up will depend on how your sample was taken and the results. You may be asked to have:

A cervical cell sample taken (smear test) to check for any cell changes
A colposcopy, which allows a specialist to look more closely and decide if treatment is needed

Your doctor or nurse will explain why follow-up testing is needed and what will happen next.

Find out more about results and treatments

What happens if I have HPV?

Do Māori and Pacific wāhine or whānau get free cervical screening?

What if I’m not eligible for free screening?

What free cervical screening support is available in the Bay of Plenty?

Whānau Voice

“Ruthie is such a breath of fresh air over the phone. She reminds me of that aunty at the marae. loving, caring, but not afraid to be a little bossy when you need it. She gave me the push I needed to get to my screening appointment, reminding me that I’m a taonga worth looking after.”

- A wāhine supported through our service

“Screening was fast, easy, and empowering. I wish the same for all wāhine.”

- A wāhine supported by our service during an event

“Like a loving aunty, she gave me the gentle push I needed to get screened.”

- Another wāhine on her screening journey

“You truly are the heroes in our community. You made me feel seen and heard, and I was able to have both my screening appointments in one place. Times are tough, but your service made it possible for me to get there and I feel empowered because of it.”

- Shared by someone on their screening journey

Cervical Screening Resources

Info.Health.NZ

Want to feel more confident about cervical screening? Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ’s page breaks it all down. From how the test works, to what your results mean, your next steps, and where to get help along the way.

Visit Website

He Wahine, He Taonga

This booklet shares the voices of wāhine Māori through real kōrero and stories of cervical screening. It also includes information to help you understand your screening options and make informed choices.

DOWNLOAD

Supporting talanoa

This booklet supports informed choices in Pacific communities, sharing info on HPV and cervical screening. Also available in Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Tuvaluan, Niuean, Kiribati and Tokelauan.

DOWNLOAD

What About Breast Screening?

We’re developing a local Breast Screening Support page to make things easier for our community. In the meantime, here’s some key information.

Check if you are eligible for free breast screening

You are eligible to register for free breast screening if you:

Are a woman aged 45 to 69
Do not have symptoms of breast cancer such as a lump, rash, nipple discharge, or changes in the shape or size of your breast
Have not had a mammogram from another provider within the last 12 months
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Are eligible for public health services in Aotearoa New Zealand. See if you eligible here.

Information for women aged 70 and over

The eligible age for free breast screening increased on 1 October 2025, as outlined below:

Women who turn 70 on or after 1 October 2025
Are eligible for free mammograms every 2 years (from their last screen) until aged 75.
Note: some women may have screened at 69 and won’t be due again at 70.
Women who are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2025
Are eligible for one final screen at age 74, if booked before turning 75.

Learn more

Where to go for breast screening in the Bay of Plenty

If you are not eligible for free breast screening

Breast Screening Support Services

We offer local support to make breast screening easier. We can help with information and connect you to services across the Bay of Plenty. Our service is here for people who may face barriers to accessing breast screening, follow-up care or treatment.

Who can get free Breast screening support services?