Free bowel screening from 50

In some parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, free bowel screening is available to Māori and Pacific people from the age of 50 to 74. It is available in the Waikato, Tairāwhiti and MidCentral regions.

The starting age is lower because a higher percentage of bowel cancer happens in Māori and Pacific people before reaching 60.

Bowel screening — Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waikato (external link)

Bowel screening — Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Tairāwhiti (external link)

Joining the bowel screening programme

Māori and Pacific people in the Waikato, Tairāwhiti and MidCentral areas are invited to take part in bowel screening from the age of 50.

Invitations will arrive around your birthday. People with a birth date that falls on an even number will be invited within the first 12 months of your area offering the lower age range. Those with a birth date that falls on an odd number will be invited in the second 12 months.

For example, someone who is born on January 18 will get their invite in the first 12 months. Someone born on January 19 will get their invite in the second 12 months.

Anyone who turns 50 will receive their invitation around the time of their birthday regardless of whether their birth date is odd or even.

You do not have to do anything. Invitations will arrive when you turn 50. They will be followed by a bowel screening test kit. This will continue every 2 years while you are aged 50 to 74.

The lower starting age was introduced in these areas as part of an evaluation.

Doing the bowel screening test (internal link)

If you do not receive an invite

If you are eligible to get free bowel screening between the age of 50 to 74 and have not received your invite, please contact us.