16/02/2026
Kia Ora Koutou
After more than a decade leading Lung Foundation New Zealand dedicated to increasing survival for lung cancer (NZâs biggest cancer killer), last year I made the difficult decision to step down to be more available to my family and to support recovery and conservation projects on my whÄnauâs ancestral lands in TairÄwhiti following the impact of cyclone events.
It has been a privilege to advocate for the needs of lung cancer patients and their familyâs.
Over the past decade, our cause has been supported by countless patients and their loved ones who have raised awareness of lung cancer and the disparities in access to care within the public health system.
Today lung cancer is no longer a silent or hidden disease in New Zealand.
With input from patients, specialists, and international partners, we created accessible, easyâtoâread online information and supported the establishment of patientâled peer support at scale.
Collaboration has been key to improving health policy.
As an active member Cancer NonâGovernmental Organisations (CANGO), cooperation with Patient Voice Aotearoa, other patient groups, including clinicians, together we have amplified the voice of advocacy in support of NZâs most vulnerable patients.
One example; sustained advocacy intensified by media came in June 2024, the Government announced a $604 million funding boost for Pharmac over four years; the largest in the agency's history to increase access to cancer medicines and other treatments.
But we must be clear; continued investment in modern medicines is fundamental because NZ still lags many OECD countries including Australia in access to standard of care treatments.
Lung cancer is NOT a single disease but a collection of conditions driven by unique DNA mutations with significant differences between patients with a smoking history and those without.
While to***co smoking is the primary cause, an increasing number of lung cancers are diagnosed in never-smokers.
If you have lungs you can get lung cancer.
Modern therapies provide hope; immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and adjunct treatments are improving patient wellbeing and overall survival.
We have engaged with pharmaceutical companies to ensure they are aware of the real life needs and experiences of patients.
Advocacy by our cause has contributed to public funding for multiple therapies, including;
⢠Immunotherapies: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Nivolumab (Opdivo), Atezolizumab (Tecentriq), and Durvalumab (Imfinzi).
⢠Targeted therapies: Alectinib (Alecensa), Osimertinib (Tagrisso), Entrectinib (Rozlytrek), and Crizotinib (Xalkori).
Our cause engaged constructively in the Health System Review, the Pharmac Review and Pharmac re-set, Te Aho o Te Kahuâs Strategic Review and Optimal Cancer Care Pathways (OCCP).
I am deeply grateful to the huge number of patients and their familyâs who have raised awareness and support and helped inform change during the past ten years.
The first lung cancer patient ambassadors being John Ashton and Kate Hodges.
These courageous leaders were followed by so many brave and tenacious lung cancer patient ambassadors. Words cannot express how grateful I remain.
I want to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by Chris Atkinson CNZM during his time as Medical Director and the number of clinicians who continue to raise expectations for improving the detection, treatment and care of lung cancer in New Zealand.
LFNZâs agency Creative Marketing has also been outstanding.
To all who have supported our cause; you have laid the foundations to save many more lives.
I am truly thankful to my whanau who have supported me during the past ten years, nine of which have been unpaid.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takimano.
My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.
NgÄ tini manaakitanga,
Philip
Lung cancer remains New Zealandâs biggest cancer killer;
Five people die every day; six are diagnosed daily.
Fortyâfive percent of diagnoses occur in ED/A&E.
Lung cancer causes extreme inequity for MÄori. Applying an equity lens across the care continuum would be lifeâchanging for MÄori and nonâMÄori.
Lung Cancer MUST be a national health priority;
Implementation of a National Lung Cancer Screening Programme; Targeted screening.
Equitable, Timely Access to Effective Treatments.
Strong Smoking Cessation Support
Lung Health Promotion and Prevention
Quality Improvement and Research
Ends.
Te Whanau o Ruataupare te hapu
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti te iwi
Ngati Porou te iwi
Philip S Hope (te Potae)
