A Jacinda Ardern-backed fund will spend millions in the Pacific bolstering programmes to diagnose and treat cervical cancer.
The cancer, which was largely preventable, was a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women.
Incidence rates were up to nine times higher than in Australia and New Zealand in parts of the blue continent, according to the University of Auckland.
The former New Zealand prime minister was using NZ$5.1 million (AU$4.3 million) of funding originally granted in 2024 by Melinda French Gates' Pivotal foundation towards the cause.
The university's Centre for Pacific and Global Health Professor Collin Tukuitonga, said the funding would be a "gamechanger" for collaboration.
"Cervical cancer is preventable, yet too many Pacific women continue to die from it," he said.
"This investment allows Pacific countries to work together, sharing expertise, strengthening systems and supporting women leaders, to achieve elimination."
The effort aligns with World Health Organisation goals to see 90% of girls receiving the HPV vaccine, 70% of women screened during middle age, and 90% of cancers treated.
Each year, around 600 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer linked to Human Papillomavirus, including cervical and throat cancer. (Source: 1News)
At those levels — which WHO wants to reach by 2030 — elimination of the cancer becomes possible.
Dame Jacinda said she wanted to ensure Pacific island women were not missing out on basic treatments available in developed nations.
"This funding is simply about supporting them to save lives with solutions that should be available to everyone," she said.
The University of Auckland is the lead agency for the programme, which will begin in the New Zealand Realm nations of Cook Islands and Niue, and collaborate with other regional programmes.
Dame Jacinda has spent the previous three years based in the US and UK, and is currently calling Australia home.
The 45-year-old was recently spotted house hunting in Sydney's northern beach suburbs.
Since leaving politics in 2023, Dame Jacinda has joined a number of boards and taken on various advocacy roles.
She announced a fresh role this week, joining the global advisory council of LawZero, a non-profit which aims to eliminate dangerous autonomous behaviours in AI.
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