Health matters: Hamish Campbell
Making real progress in early cancer detection.
When I entered politics at the last election, I brought with me a background in cancer research and years of exposure to the profound impact that diagnosis and treatment have on patients and their families.
Seeing firsthand the difference strong public health services make in people’s lives shaped my decision to stand for Parliament and advocate for a healthcare system that delivers timely, high-quality care for every New Zealander.
On election as the MP for Ilam, I joined the Government Health Select Committee to be part of a government making significant progress in strengthening healthcare services for all kiwis.
Cancer remains New Zealand’s leading cause of death, and we are responding with major investment in prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Pharmac’s budget received a $604 million uplift in 2024, expanding access to new and improved cancer medicines for patients nationwide giving many families renewed hope.
In 2025, the Government announced a further $65 million investment in diagnostic services, including MRI and CT scanning capacity, helping patients receive answers and begin treatment sooner. We have also continued expanding the National Bowel Screening Programme for Kiwis aged 58 to 74 years, while BreastScreen Aotearoa is progressively increasing the free mammogram age limit from 69 to 74.
Alongside this, the Government partnered with the Cancer Society on a $2 million nationwide Skin Cancer Prevention Programme and increased investment in cervical self-testing, lifting screening participation rates from 66.9% to nearly 75%.
As I return to the political hustings this year, I do so knowing we have made real progress but also knowing that one death is still one too many.
