Government publications
Government plans, publications and data sources that shape cancer prevention, detection and management in New Zealand
Strategies and plans
Pae Ora Strategies
Released in July 2023, Pae Ora Strategies provide a long-term vision where all people can achieve their best possible health. The 6 strategies are (1) New Zealand Health Strategy, (2) Pae Tū: Hauora Māori Strategy, (3) Te Mana Ola: The Pacific Health Strategy, (4) Health of Disabled People Strategy, (5) Rural Health Strategy and (6) Women’s Health Strategy.
Government Policy Statement on Health
This statement sets the Government’s priorities and objectives for New Zealand’s health system. It outlines what the Government expects the health system to deliver and achieve, and how success will be measured, monitored and reported.
The New Zealand Health Plan - Te Pae Waenga
A three-year plan legislated under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 for Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora. Te Pae Waenga runs from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2027, and outlines the actions Health NZ will take to achieve the Government Policy Statement on Health, including how funding will be allocated.
Health targets implementation plans
High-level implementation plans that set out short-and medium-term actions for Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora to drive improved performance and deliver timely access to quality healthcare. Results on progress to achieving these targets are published on the Health New Zealand website every quarter.
Cancer Action Plan 2019 - 2029
A pathway to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. Implementation of this plan is led by the Cancer Control Agency - Te Aho o Te Kahu.
Guidance
The Cancer Control Agency - Te Aho o Te Kahu has published a range of guidance for the health sector that relate to cancer. These include:
- Cancer Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM) Data Standard HISO 10038.4:2021
- Optimal Cancer Care Pathways (Note: this does not include melanoma - please refer to the New Zealand Melanoma Clinical Guidelines)
- Radiation Oncology Waitlist Data - Business Rules
Data and statistics
Cancer data and statistics
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora provides access to statistical publications and data sets on cancer registrations, deaths, and patient survival. Broader New Zealand health data and statistics are also available.
Cancer web tool
Produced by Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, this tool enables interactive exploration of cancer data with demographic breakdowns by age, ethnicity, gender, and location.
EHINZ indicators
Funded by the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Health Intelligence Agency (EHINZ) provides data on how the environment affects population health. With ultraviolet radiation as a key focus area, EHINZ publishes annual reports on melanoma registrations as well as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer deaths.
Reports on numbers
The Cancer Control Agency - Te Aho o Te Kahu provides some analysis of cancer incidence and mortality data, including trends over time and breakdowns by ethnicity and selected cancer types (not melanoma).
Publications
The Cancer Control Agency - Te Aho o Te Kahu has published a number of reports including:
- The State of Cancer in New Zealand (2025)
- Cancer Services Planning
- Cancer Medicines Availability Analysis (2022, 2024)
- The Cancer Prevention Report (2022)
- Route to Diagnosis
- The Voices of Whānau Māori Affected by Cancer
Other work by the Cancer Control Agency
- National cancer data sharing (CanShare)
- Quality performance indicators
- Optimal care pathways
While these programmes do not currently include skin cancer, we are advocating for their expansion so skin cancer is integrated into national cancer improvement efforts.