16 December 2025
Paul Stewart
[FYI request #32917 email]
Tēnā koe Paul
Your request for official information, reference: HNZ00104069
Thank you for your email on 19 November 2025 asking Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora for the
following under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the OIA):
I am conducting research on the equality of national screening systems for incipient pathologies.
The particular scope of this research is the funding of such screening programmes where the
actual screening is subcontracted out to local providers on the basis of geographical and/or
alternative cohort distinctions. I would therefore appreciate it if you could provide me with
documentation related to the current Breastscreen Aotearoa funding model. Specifical y how the
model works to deliver an equitable service across a geographical y, socio-economically, and
ethnically diverse population while utilising both State and private healthcare providers.
Response
Your request for documentation on “how the BSA model works to deliver an equitable service across a
geographical y, socio-economically, and ethnical y diverse population while utilising both State and
private healthcare providers” is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA as this information does not exist
or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found.
The current BSA funding model was introduced in July 2021. The model has a large, fixed funding
component with a variable funding component that incentivises equitable screening. The variable
component is intended to be paid on a fee-for-service basis with a higher fee paid for screening wāhine
Māori and Pacific women compared with other women.
Agreements are in place with BSA Lead Providers to deliver screening. Lead Providers are paid for the
service provided, regardless of the area or domicile of women. The agreements specify estimated
volumes of women screened, based on population projections, but Lead Providers can exceed these
volumes.
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can contact us at
[email address]. If you are not happy with
this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman. Information about how to do
this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602. As this information may
be of interest to other members of the public, Health NZ may proactively release a copy of this response
on our website. Al requester data, including your name and contact details, wil be removed prior to
release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Danielle Coe
Manager (OIA) Government Services
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Health NZ, PO Box 793, Wellington 6140,
New Zealand