New Cancer Infusion Service Launches at Te Kūiti Hospital for King Country Patients

Cancer patients in the King Country will no longer need to make frequent long-distance trips to Hamilton for some treatments, with Te Kūiti Hospital officially launching a new local cancer infusion service aimed at improving rural healthcare access and easing pressure on patients and families.

Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced the opening of the new service, describing it as a major milestone for rural healthcare delivery and part of the Government’s wider push to decentralise cancer treatment across New Zealand.

The service will allow eligible patients to receive simple chemotherapy infusions and other low-risk infusion treatments locally, reducing the burden of travel and enabling patients to remain closer to home during treatment.

“This is a significant step forward for Te Kūiti and surrounding rural communities, making it easier for patients to receive cancer treatment locally rather than travelling to Waikato Hospital in Hamilton,” Brown said.

Major Relief for Rural Cancer Patients

For many patients in the King Country, cancer treatment has historically required repeated travel to larger urban hospitals, particularly Waikato Hospital in Hamilton — a journey that can take several hours round-trip.

Health experts say rural patients often face additional barriers to cancer treatment, including:

• Long travel times

• Transport costs

• Accommodation pressures

• Time away from work and family

• Increased physical and emotional fatigue

Brown said reducing travel demands would significantly improve quality of life for patients undergoing difficult treatment regimes.

“Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally challenging. Reducing the need for long-distance travel means patients can spend more time at home, closer to their families and support networks, while still receiving safe, quality care,” he said.

The move is expected to particularly benefit elderly patients, those with limited transport options, and whānau supporting loved ones through treatment.

Service Begins With Gradual Rollout

The new infusion service will initially operate one day per week, with capacity to treat up to two patients during each clinic session while systems and workforce capability are further developed.

Hospital officials say the gradual rollout is designed to ensure patient safety and maintain high clinical standards during the establishment phase.

The programme is currently being led by:

• A certified chemotherapy nurse

• A second staff member progressing toward chemotherapy certification

• On-site support from an experienced Waikato-based clinician

The support arrangement is intended to ensure safe treatment delivery while Te Kūiti Hospital builds long-term local capability.

Healthcare leaders say developing specialist cancer treatment expertise in smaller regional hospitals is a critical component of improving equity in the national health system.

Part of Nationwide Expansion of Cancer Services

The Te Kūiti initiative forms part of a broader national expansion of cancer infusion services funded under the Government’s healthcare investment programme.

According to the Government:

• Around 13,000 additional cancer infusions are expected to be delivered nationwide in 2025/26

• This represents a 12 per cent increase on previous treatment volumes

• The Government is delivering:

  • 14 new infusion centres

  • Expansion of 14 additional treatment sites

The nationwide expansion aims to reduce treatment delays and improve regional access to oncology services as demand for cancer care continues to grow.

$210 Million Investment in Cancer Treatment Capacity

The rollout follows the Government’s $210 million cancer treatment investment package announced in Budget 2024, which was designed to strengthen the country’s oncology infrastructure following Pharmac’s landmark medicines funding expansion.

The investment includes:

• Upgrading treatment facilities

• Purchasing new medical equipment

• Expanding workforce capacity

• Supporting regional infusion services

• Improving access to newly funded cancer medicines

The cancer treatment expansion also aligns with Pharmac’s earlier $604 million medicines investment, which significantly increased access to modern cancer therapies and other high-cost medicines.

Health sector analysts say infrastructure and staffing expansion are essential to ensuring the health system can manage increased treatment demand generated by the medicines rollout.

Rural Healthcare Equity a Key Focus

The Government says improving healthcare access for rural and regional communities remains a central objective of its health strategy.

Cancer survival outcomes in rural areas have historically lagged behind urban centres due to factors including delayed diagnosis, workforce shortages and limited local treatment options.

Officials say expanding local infusion services can help:

• Reduce treatment disruption

• Improve patient adherence to therapy

• Lower financial stress on families

• Enhance emotional wellbeing

• Strengthen continuity of care within local communities

Brown said the Te Kūiti programme reflects a broader effort to place patients at the centre of healthcare delivery.

“This is about putting patients at the centre of the health system and improving access to timely treatment, particularly for people living in rural and regional New Zealand,” he said.

Future Expansion Planned for Te Kūiti Hospital

Health authorities say Te Kūiti Hospital’s infusion capability is expected to grow progressively over time in response to local demand and workforce development.

Future expansion could include:

• Increased clinic days

• Additional infusion treatments

• Expanded patient capacity

• Greater specialist support services

Officials emphasised that patient safety, treatment quality and positive patient experiences would remain the primary focus as services develop.

For many King Country families, however, today’s launch already represents a major improvement in access to care — allowing more patients to undergo treatment in familiar surroundings, supported by local whānau and community networks.

“For King Country families, this means more treatment delivered locally, in a familiar environment, and closer to the people who matter most throughout their cancer journey,” Brown said.