HPV Self-Test & Cervical Smears

The Cervical screening programme in NZ ensures everyone has access to an HPV Self-Swab or a Cervical Smear test. Fortunately, cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent – and screening detects abnormal cell changes early. This detection allows us to organise early treatment. Our expert healthcare team know how to ensure pap smear tests are swift and gentle.

Read more about self-testing options here. 

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Why do I need a smear test?

Diagnosing Cervical cancer early is easy with cervical screening (whakamātautau waha kōpū). Fortunately, so is treatment. Getting a regular pap smear is the best way to spot unusual cell changes. The New Zealand Cervical Screening campaign has been very successful, significantly reducing deaths associated with Cervical cancer.
So, we recommend having a 3 yearly smear test to check your cervical health.

Is a cervical smear test painful?

Pap smears feel like a small pinch. This sensation is from a tiny brush sweeping a few cells from your cervix. It takes a few minutes during which you are covered with a sheet. Next, the nurse or female doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina so they can collect some cells from your cervix. Your privacy is respected at all times.

Book for a pap smear if you are:

  • female, trans or non-binary and have a cervix and;
  • have been sexually active
  • are aged 25 to 69

Smear tests are still recommended for those who:

  • only have sex with other women
  • are post-menopausal
  • are no longer sexually active
  • even if you are immunised against HPV.
Frequently asked questions

HPV: the most common cause of Cervical Cancer

HPV stands for the Human Papilloma Virus. You can be exposed to this group of viruses  through sexual or skin to skin contact.

It’s likely that you might get this virus at some point if you’ve been sexually active, and it is the most common cause of cervical cancer.  Furthermore, studies suggest 90% of these cancers are preventable with regular screening.

Regular Pap Smears can help protect you against cervical cancer. HPV immunization is also now part of the childhood vaccination schedule. Also, it’s FREE to anyone aged 9 – 26 years.

More information about Cervical Screening in NZ is available through Time To Screen. 

We’ll often do a smear test when you have an appointment sexual health. For example,  you might like to talk about other aspects, like contraception.

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Health care professionals providing cervical smear testing

Dr Anna-Marie O’ Mahony
Dr Anna-Marie O’ Mahony
General Practitioner
Fluent in English. Dr Anna-Marie O' Mahony completed her undergraduate at the University College Cork.
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Dr Carlos Lam Yang
Dr Carlos Lam Yang
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, and Cantonese A graduate of the University of Otago, 2008. A dual Fellow of the Royal New Zealand Colleges of General Practice and Urgent Care.
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Dr Jayani Kannangara
Dr Jayani Kannangara
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, and Sinhalese. Dr Kannangara has an MBChB from the University of Otago.
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Dr Preetam Durshanapally
Dr Preetam Durshanapally
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, Telugu, Hindi and can understand some Punjabi Dr. Durshanapally graduated from Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, India and migrated to New Zealand in 2012.
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Dr Richard Chong
Dr Richard Chong
General Practitioner
Fluent in English and can understand some Mandarin. Dr Richard Chong is a graduate from the University of Auckland. He has completed a postgraduate diploma in Paediatrics and is a fellow of both the Royal New Zealand GP and Urgent Care colleges
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Pushpa Ram
Pushpa Ram
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER
Fluent in English and Hindi. Pushpa completed her nursing studies in 1984. After Migrating to NZ she completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health).
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Nerice Fourie
Nerice Fourie
Registered Nurse
Fluent in English and Afrikaans. Nerice completed her Bachelor of Nursing in 2018 and is completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Health Science.
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Mary Chapman
Mary Chapman
Registered Nurse
Fluent in English and can understand Khmer and speak basic Khmer. Mary completed her nursing training in 2002.
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Tara Mougavalu-Fui
Tara Mougavalu-Fui
Registered Nurse
Fluent in English, Niuean and Samoan. Tara graduated from Manukau Institute of Technology in 2012 and has broad experience in general practice and urgent care.
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Frequently asked questions

To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:

  • NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
  • International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration

On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.

Yes. As part of completing your enrolment, we request that you have a free new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members. This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing. Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.

All GP appointments are 15 minutes long.

  • One appointment is for a single health issue.
  • Should you wish to have a 30-minute GP appointment, it will be charge at a non-subsidized rate.
  • Depending on your age and health, one of our specialist nursing or pharmacist clinicians may be able to spend more time with you.

If you are a new patient, you will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your enrolment.

Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.

There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials

We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.

If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.

All consultations are by appointment only.

Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Set up access to your patient portal at or email Info@highbrookmedical.co.nz if you would like help.

We recommend that you plan ahead and request your repeat medicines via your patient portal My Indici two weeks before you run out. If you do not have access to a portal, you can phone us and leave a message with the nurse to organise this. Our doctors use an electronic prescribing system which can send your prescription to your local pharmacy (please specify name and location).

Under 14 Free
14 years - 17 years $16
18+ years $18.50

The results of tests that have been ordered by our Doctors will be available on My Indici when they have been reviewed. If your test results are of concern you will be contacted by one of our team.

We are open:

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am – 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.

These are consultation prices only.

Under 14 Years - Free
14 - 17 years - $13
18 years & over - $29.50

Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.

We understand that things can change on the day, but we ask that you call us to advise that you are not able to make your appointment. If we do not hear from you minimum 2 hours prior to your scheduled time, you will receive an invoice for this missed appointment.