The age at which people can start participating in the free National Bowel Screening Programme has been lowered from 60 to 58 years old. This is available for people living in the following regions:

• Northland
• Auckland
• South Island

From late March 2026, the lower starting age of 58 will be introduced to the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand (Central and Midland regions of the North Island).

Age extension key facts

• Lowering the age to 58 means that at least 122,000 more people will be eligible for screening over the first year.
• It is estimated to prevent 771 cancers and 566 deaths over 25 years.
• About 5,000 more colonoscopies will be required over 4 years (around a 2% increase).
• Several initiatives are underway that aim to lift participation, especially for high needs groups:
  • pre-engagement via text, phone, and face to face
  • national laboratory drop off for returning kits
  • opportunistic kits for direct distribution
  • bowel screening learning modules
  • annual May primary care promotion
  • updated national and local multimedia campaigns.
• The lower age brings New Zealand closer to the screening ages in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The government intends to reduce eligibility further as capacity allows.

Participation rates are on the National Bowel Screening Programme interactive participation data tool.

National Bowel Screening Programme interactive participation data toolexternal link

If you are a health professional or kaimahi involved in bowel screening, we encourage you to complete 4 short learning modules. These modules will help you to explain bowel screening clearly, confidently and in a way that supports different communities.

Accessing the modules

The modules are available on the following learning management systems (LMS):

• Ko Awateaexternal link (for people in the North Island, except CapitalCoast and Bay of Plenty)
• healthLearnexternal link (for people in the South Island and Bay of Plenty)
• Connect Meexternal link (for people from CapitalCoast).

If you are already registered with a learning management system (LMS), use that system to access the modules – log in and search for ‘bowel screening’. If you are not registered with an LMS, you will need to register before accessing the modules.

If you have any difficulty accessing these modules, email bowelscreening@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Some people may have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer. People should be advised to have regular colonoscopy or be referred to the New Zealand Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service for assessment if they have any of the following risk factors.

• Two or more close family members on the same side of the family who have had bowel cancer.
• A close family member who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at a young age (under 55 years).
• The person or their family have a known or suspected genetic bowel cancer syndrome.

For more information, see our surveillance recommendations.

Update on Surveillance Recommendations for Individuals with a Family/Whānau History of Colorectal Cancer – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

General practice and community care have a key role to play in the success of the National Bowel Screening Programme. They:

• tell their patients if they have a positive test result
• refer people with positive results for a screening colonoscopy and support them through the process
• refer patients with a family history of bowel cancer to a surveillance colonoscopy or to the New Zealand Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service.

They also raise awareness about bowel screening and encourage participation.

Guidance about the bowel screening process for general practitioners is in 'The National Bowel Screening Programme primary care guide'.

The National Bowel Screening Programme primary care guide