Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora teams in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island are welcoming a new cohort of people to the National Bowel Screening Programme, as the starting age for free bowel screening begins to be lowered from 60 to 58 years. This means people aged 58 to 74 will now be eligible for free bowel screening. The previous age range was 60 to 74.

The Central and Te Manawa Taki regions will follow in March 2026, completing the national rollout of the new starting age. The change is estimated to prevent 771 additional bowel cancers and 566 additional deaths over 25 years, compared to the previous age range.

People turning 58, or who are already 58 or 59, don’t need to do anything. They will be mailed their free bowel screening kit around their next birthday or be contacted by a local health provider once age extension is introduced in their area.

Dr Nick Chamberlain, National Director of the National Public Health Service, says the age extension is part of a broader approach to improve early detection and reduce inequities in bowel cancer outcomes.

“As part of this change, we’re also introducing initiatives to support participation, particularly among groups with lower screening rates,” says Dr Chamberlain.

“These initiatives include progressively introducing the option of being able to drop off your bowel screening kit at a community lab, for people who prefer that to posting their sample. We are also working towards the option of being able to give out bowel screening kits to people directly at GP appointments, outreach, and community events.

“Another new initiative we are rolling out includes contacting people who are part of the programme for the first time by text or phone, in advance to encourage them to take part.

“Health NZ has also developed an education module about bowel screening for district staff, so they have the information they need to encourage communities to take part in bowel screening.

“The national multimedia campaign – There’s a screening here tonight – has been updated with the new starting age and will be seen in a range of media.

Promotion of the lowered bowel screening age will be supported through a range of local initiatives, including messaging on the back of buses, visibility at community health events, and other targeted outreach efforts.

Dr Chamberlain says the very successful promotion in primary care where GPs have conversations with eligible patients encouraging them to take part in bowel screening, will also be repeated. “

The promotion takes place every May. During this year’s campaign, general practices requested over 3,000 bowel screening kits on behalf of patients.”

For more information about bowel screening, visit www.timetobowelscreen.nz (external link), call 0800 924 432, or email info@bowelscreening.health.nz.

ENDS