Blog
HPV testing update
Since Monday 31 March 2025, Awanui Labs has been experiencing instrumentation issues that have suspended HPV testing and reporting. While these issues caused delays, we can confirm that no patient results were affected during this time. From today, 15 April 2025, testing has resumed. Please note, due to the backlog, it may take approximately two […]
New Brighton – change to opening hours
At Awanui Labs, we are committed to providing efficient, high-quality diagnostic services to our communities. To maintain this commitment, we must also ensure that our services remain sustainable. To align our services more closely with funding levels and staff availability, we have made the decision to amend the hours of service at the New Brighton […]
Resumption of Serum Inflixmab service
Canterbury Health Laboratories wishes to advise that the Serum Infliximab service has recommenced. “Our Immunology laboratory has verified a commercial ELISA assay, which is utilised internationally, whilst work continues to investigate alternate options. It is important to note that results should not be compared between the previous and current assay, as they utilise different technology. […]
Measles reminder
Awanui Labs is reminding referrers across Aotearoa not to send patients to our collection centres when they are showing symptoms consistent with measles infection (fever, rash, with cough / coryza / conjunctivitis). This is in line with Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora public health recommendations or your local HealthPathways. We have taken this step for […]
Use AwanuiConnect for clinical advice!
Our new instant, secure, online clinical portal provides direct access to Awanui Clinical Microbiologists. Click below to download a flyer or here to connect.
Patient results delivery improvement
Awanui Labs is improving the delivery of patient results directly to referrers using Medtech Evolution across New Zealand. From 30 September, referrers who are using the Medtech Evolution system, can electronically receive their patient’s test results including blood, urine, histology and cytology results in real time as they are reported by the laboratories. Awanui Labs […]
Removing AST from liver function panels
In many New Zealand Laboratories AST is no longer part of the liver function panel. To harmonise liver function testing (LFT) across all Awanui labs, from 1 November 2024 AST will no longer form part of the standard liver function test panel. However, AST will still be able to be requested separately as either a […]
Merging of duplicate requests
Awanui Labs has recently made an operational change to how we handle duplicate test requests and what this change may mean for you. Awanui Labs experiences a high degree of multiple requests for the same patients, a significant number of these requests are from different doctors within the same clinic. Currently when the patient presents […]
HIV screening in first antenatal blood screen
When the National Screening Unit implemented universal antenatal HIV screening in NZ in 2008, a decision was made in Canterbury to only include HIV testing if specifically requested; this historical decision has been reviewed. From 12 August 2024 an HIV test will automatically be included on all first antenatal blood screen requests unless it is […]
Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is an immunological intestinal reaction to gluten in cereal causing the cells lining the small, intestine bowel to become damaged and inflamed. This is often found in people who are genetically predisposed to this condition. Coeliac disease in New ZealandAccording to international research, approximately 100,000 people across New Zealand have some form of coeliac […]