Major changes to the New Zealand Cancer Plan

Refreshing the governance of the National Cancer Programme

With the changing priorities driven by the New Zealand Cancer Plan 2015-18 and the New 
Zealand Health Strategy, the Ministry of Health has established a refreshed governance structure for 
the National Cancer Programme to ensure that it can best deliver on these new priorities.

The Cancer Programme Steering Group and the Cancer Treatment Advisory Group have been 
disestablished. 

A Cancer Programme Leadership Board is being established as the main governance body 
overseeing the National Cancer Programme. The Board will include a cancer academic, 
nominated members from Hei Âhuru Môwai and Cancer Consumer New Zealand, as well as 
senior Ministry and District Health Board leaders. 

The medical oncology, radiation oncology and haematology work groups will all continue to 
provide advice through to the National Clinical Director, Cancer.

The Board has the mandate to drive and support long term strategic direction for cancer and 
will consider the establishment of a time-limited advisory group to develop a refreshed cancer 
strategy for 2018 and beyond.   

A cancer sector collaborative will also be established to ensure operational engagement with 
the sector. It will provide a shared opportunity to provide advice, build knowledge and share 
experiences and learning through a virtual platform, annual forums, and time limited advisory 
groups. 

New National Cancer Programme Governance Structure