Kia ora koutou,
It has been a busy and, in many respects, rewarding period for women’s health in Aotearoa New Zealand. While times remain tough, there is cause for optimism, from a long-awaited ultrasound funding commitment to an upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting that will bring our College community together. And with a general election on the horizon, the work of advocacy feels timely and focused. I am delighted to bring you an Aotearoa New Zealand update in this Winter issue themed around the cervix, which is a topic that sits at the heart of some of our most pressing advocacy priorities right now. I thank RANZCOG President Dr Nisha Khot for this opportunity.
A Victory 20 Years in the Making: Maternity Ultrasound Funding
We should take a moment to appreciate the progress in maternity ultrasound funding. The New Zealand Government has committed to addressing the chronic and longstanding underfunding of maternity ultrasound – a problem that has persisted for more than two decades, placing an unfair financial burden on pregnant women and, in too many cases, creating barriers to accessing clinically necessary care.
This is a win that belongs to all of us – RANZCOG, O&Gs around Aotearoa, the Maternity National Clinical Network, and the O&G Clinical Directors Network have all advocated consistently and vocally on this issue for years, including through submission work and direct engagement with Ministers. The Autumn 2026 “From the President” column noted the urgency of the situation when, late last year, the largest private obstetric ultrasound provider in Aotearoa announced an imminent and significant increase to co-payments. The College acted swiftly in collaboration with the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) to seek an urgent resolution.
We are grateful for the partnership with NZCOM on this issue and the other voices that contributed, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. The Government’s commitment to address this systemic underfunding reflects that sustained, united, evidence-based advocacy. It is a reminder that our voices matter and that persistence pays off.
There is still work to be done to translate this commitment into fully funded, universally accessible maternity ultrasound services. We will continue to hold the Government to account on a concrete funding solution.
RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand ASM 2026
The RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a genuine highlight of the calendar. Attendance is forecast to reach record numbers, a reflection of the hard work of the Organising Committee and of the appetite our membership has for coming together to learn, connect, and engage. On behalf of the College, I extend sincere thanks to every member of the Organising Committee, our generous sponsors, and all those who have contributed their time and expertise to the event. I look forward to catching up with so many of you there.
The ASM is also a meaningful occasion in other respects. It will be a privilege to welcome Tau Huirama as a RANZCOG Kaumatua. Tau joins longstanding Kaumatua Wendy Dallas-Katoa in this important role, and together they bring wisdom, mana, and guidance to our mahi that we value deeply.
I am also particularly eager to welcome those elevating to Fellowship. You have worked hard to reach this milestone and join a community of passionate clinicians committed to the highest standards of care for women across Aotearoa and Australia.
Mark Your Calendars: Hawke’s Bay 2027
The 2027 Aotearoa New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting will take place in Napier, in the Hawke’s Bay, from 2-4 April 2027. It is a beautiful part of the country at that time of year, with the harvest season in full swing and the region’s food, wine, and Art Deco character on display. I hope you will join us and perhaps take the opportunity to spend a few extra days exploring the area and sampling the delights on offer.
Election Advocacy Priorities for Women’s Health
With the New Zealand General Election set for 7 November, RANZCOG is making the case for women’s health. This is an important opportunity to advance the issues that matter most to our members and to the women and whānau of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through consultation with our membership, He Hono Wāhine, the Aotearoa New Zealand Committee, and Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku have agreed on a clear set of election advocacy priorities:
Fully fund all clinically necessary maternity ultrasound
The Government has made a commitment here, and we will continue to press for full implementation. Every pregnant woman in Aotearoa deserves access to clinically indicated ultrasound without financial penalty.
Fully fund cervical screening
This sits at the heart of this issue of O&G Magazine, and the connection is an important one. Cervical screening, and more recently the introduction of HPV screening and self-testing, has transformed outcomes for women, but inequities in access and participation persist, particularly for Māori and Pacific women. Full public funding of cervical screening is a cornerstone of preventive women’s health care, and a matter of equity.
Invest in digital solutions to support quality, joined-up, data-informed care, and alleviate workload burden
Our members are working in a system that too often relies on fragmented, legacy, or paper environments. Smarter investment in digital infrastructure will improve connections in care, reduce effort, improve access to data, and allow our workforce to focus on safe and effective patient care.
Establish a national pelvic pain service
Chronic pelvic pain afflicts about one in four women in Aotearoa, yet multidisciplinary pelvic pain services are woefully inadequate in most parts of the country.
In addition to our election year priorities, we continue to advocate on broader issues such as workforce and training, as well as access to gynaecological care. These key priorities are based on your experience and feedback and are evidence-based. I encourage every RANZCOG member in Aotearoa to use the election period as an opportunity to raise these issues with local candidates, and in your wider networks. Your voice as a clinician carries real weight.
Ngā mihi,
Dr Emma Jackson
