Blog
Labour day
All of our collection centres will be closed on Labour day (Monday 26 October), and they will reopen with normal operating hours on Tuesday 27 October. Enjoy your long weekend and travel safely if you are heading away.
Ferritin reference interval change
Awanui Labs will be updating the reference intervals for serum ferritin effective 5 October 2026. This change reflects evolving international practice and increasing recognition that ferritin concentrations between 15 and 30 µg/L may be associated with reduced iron stores and clinically relevant iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia. The change will reduce the […]
Proposal: Changes to Urine WBC Threshold
Intended implementation date: 5 October 2026. Proposal To increase the urine white blood cell (WBC) threshold used for routine urine culture from 10 x106/L WBC to 40 x106/L WBC for females age 12 years or older. Process Under the proposed process: Background The change will bring our Awanui Te Waipounamu laboratories more closely into line […]
BODYiQ expands access to private bowel screening in New Zealand
Awanui Labs has introduced a Bowel Cancer Screening FIT Test through BODYiQ, providing a new private bowel screening option in New Zealand for people who want to take a proactive approach to their bowel health. Designed for people without bowel symptoms, the test provides another option for people who are not currently eligible for New Zealand’s National Bowel Screening Programme, as well as […]
STI reporting delays
Awanui Labs are currently experiencing instrumentation issues which may cause delayed results for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Trichomonas STI results. Engineers are urgently attending to these issues, and while delays in testing may occur, Aptima samples remain stable during testing delays. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
New aeroallergen blood test now available through BODYiQ
Awanui Labs has introduced a new Aeroallergen Sensitivity Blood IgE Test, available directly to the public through BODYiQ, Awanui’s self-request health testing service. The test checks for allergy-related antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies can indicate whether your immune system is sensitive to common airborne allergens, including house dust mites, cats, dogs, grass […]
Matariki weekend
Our collection centres will all be closed on Friday 10 July for the Matariki public holiday.
King’s birthday
All of our collection centres will be closed on Monday June 1 for the King’s birthday public holiday.
Updated Approach for Liver-Related Autoantibody Screening
Liver autoantibodies (including anti-smooth muscle and -mitochondrial antibodies) play a central role in the diagnosis of autoimmune liver disease, including autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis. However, at low titres, these tests may be non-specific and result in an inappropriate testing and referral cascade. Liver Function Test (LFT) derangements are often transient, so screening for […]
Updated HbA1c Diagnostic Thresholds
The Diabetes National Clinical Network has issued updated HbA1c diagnostic thresholds to align HbA1c reporting in New Zealand with international best practice guidelines (WHO, ADA). These changes aim to support earlier detection and intervention, reduce inequities, and improve patient outcomes, particularly in younger patients and high-risk population groups. Awanui Labs will implement these changes on […]