![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4JS3FVT_Dame_Jacinda_in_the_Pacific_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nFormer Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern in the Pacific.
\nPhoto: SUPPLIED\n<\/p>\n
More than $5 million has been granted for a programme to eliminate cervical cancer across the Pacific, with the support of former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern.<\/p>\n
The University of Auckland has found the incidence rate of cervical cancer is up to nine times higher in the Pacific Islands than in Australasia.<\/p>\n
It said cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease but remains a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women prompting the university to support the rollout of safe initiatives across the Pacific.<\/p>\n
It comes as the Matariki Fund has granted $5.1 million for a programme to eliminate cervical cancer across the Pacific.<\/p>\n
The Matariki Fund, administered by Dame Jacinda Ardern, is supporting the programme by expanding access to new and existing locally led cancer prevention initiatives for more people across the Pacific.<\/p>\n
Ardern said Pacific women were disproportionately affected by a disease that could be eliminated.<\/p>\n
“There is such excellent leadership within the region – this funding is simply about supporting them to save lives with solutions that should be available to everyone.”<\/p>\n
Run through University of Auckland’s Centre for Pacific and Global Health, the programme will focus on the Cook Islands and Niue.<\/p>\n
Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga said cervical cancer was preventable, yet too many Pacific women continued to die from it.<\/p>\n
The programme aligns with the WHO Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by supporting countries to achieve the “90-70-90” targets by 2030.<\/p>\n
This means aiming to achieving 90 percent of girls aged 15 years receiving the HPV vaccine, 70 percent of women screened by age 35 years, and again at 45 years; and 90 percent of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancers treated.<\/p>\n
“This investment allows Pacific countries to work together – sharing expertise, strengthening systems, and supporting women leaders – to achieve elimination,” Tukuitonga said.<\/p>\n
It would also look to facilitates timely diagnostics to enable treatment for pre-cancerous lesions and invasive cancer.<\/p>\n
Professor Judith McCool, head of the School of Population Health and co-director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, said the funding enabled sustainable, system-level change.<\/p>\n
“This grant allows us to move beyond isolated interventions to a truly collaborative, Pacific-led approach. By strengthening leadership, governance, and regional partnerships, we are building the foundations for long-term health equity.”<\/p>\n