26 May 2016 - An extra $2.2 billion will be pumped into health over four years to help cope with an ageing population and record immigration.

A large portion of the funding boost will go to district health boards - they will get an extra $400 million in 2016/17. Last year's Budget gave DHBs less than that - an extra $320 million - over a four year period.

And close to $40 million will be allocated to start a national bowel screening programme - something health professionals have called for, and a measure on the Cancer Society's wish list.

The extra funding over the next four years includes  $124 million for PHARMAC to provide access to new medicines, which was announced in the run-up to the Budget. Pharmac will likely fund next generation melanoma drug Opdivo. Other drugs in the funding pipeline include one for hepatitis C infection, and another to treat brain tumours.

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