News

New Zealand is facing a growing blood cancer crisis, as outlined in the newly released “The State of Blood Cancer Report” from Blood Cancer New Zealand. This comprehensive report outlining the scale of the problem prompted a decisive response from New Zealand Minister of Health Simeon Brown, with the Government announcing the establishment of a new national blood cancer oversight group. This signals a positive shift toward nationally coordinated work across blood cancer care to develop a more cohesive, patient-focused system. This presents a tangible opportunity to improve outcomes for New Zealanders with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers.

The Case for Change

The ALLG has long advocated for change in New Zealand so patients can access potentially life-saving treatments that are available as standard of care in many other countries. The State of Blood Cancer Report presents a stark picture, highlighting how the current system is failing blood cancer patients. Around 27,000 New Zealanders are living with blood cancer, more than 3,000 are diagnosed each year, and 1,000 die annually. Blood cancer is now the third leading cause of death in the country with mortality rising nearly 40% since 2008.

Despite advances globally, outcomes in New Zealand have not improved at the same pace. The report shows New Zealand has a clear and well-documented gap in access to modern blood cancer therapies, compared with Australia and other similar countries.

A Welcome Step Forward

The Government’s decision to establish a national oversight group is a critical development. Designed to connect medicines, workforces, services, and emerging therapies, the group aims to bring much-needed coordination to improve the NZ health system for patients with blood cancer.

The report outlines clear priorities:

• Aligning access to treatment with international best practice
• Ensuring consistent diagnostic and care pathways
• Expanding access to clinical trials and research
• Strengthening workforce capacity and infrastructure

Blood Cancer New Zealand welcomes this report and the priorities as a positive first step while emphasising the need for urgency in turning this intent into action.

ALLG, as a leading member of the oversight group, will help drive this progress through clinical trial research, collaboration, and improved access to trials and innovative therapies. We look forward to delivering meaningful change and measurable improvements for patients with blood cancer across New Zealand.

A Moment that Matters

This is a key milestone and a clear call to action. ALLG congratulates Blood Cancer New Zealand on delivering this landmark report. With the oversight group now in place, there is a real opportunity to close the gap between what is possible and what is delivered.

The focus now must be on action and ALLG is committed to help drive this much needed change forward.