We are calling on the New Zealand Government to increase funding for women’s reproductive healthcare because access to safe, affordable and timely healthcare is essential for women’s health, wellbeing and participation in society. Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menstrual disorders and complications during pregnancy can significantly affect women’s everyday lives, yet many women face long waiting times, limited access to specialists and financial barriers when seeking care. Increasing investment in reproductive healthcare would help improve early diagnosis, treatment and support, while reducing the impact these conditions can have on education, employment and quality of life. By signing this petition, you are supporting a healthcare system that recognises women’s reproductive health as an important part of overall health and deserves appropriate government funding.

We believe that increased funding could also help address some of the wider challenges women face when trying to access appropriate healthcare. This includes improving awareness and education among healthcare professionals, supporting earlier recognition of symptoms, increasing access to specialist services and providing more opportunities for research into conditions that have historically received less attention. Many reproductive health conditions can take years to be diagnosed, which can have significant physical, emotional, educational and financial impacts on those affected. Earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment could help reduce these impacts and allow women to receive the support they need sooner.

We also believe that women should feel heard and taken seriously when discussing their health with healthcare professionals. Increasing investment in reproductive healthcare could help create better pathways for women to access further assessment and specialist care when it is appropriate, rather than leaving individuals to repeatedly advocate for themselves when their symptoms continue. It could also support better access to information about available treatment options, allowing women to be more involved in decisions about their own healthcare.

Investing in women’s reproductive health would not only benefit individuals, but could also have wider benefits for New Zealand society. Poorly managed or untreated reproductive health conditions can affect a person’s ability to attend school, study, work and participate fully in everyday life. Improving access to timely and appropriate healthcare could therefore help reduce unnecessary disruption to education and employment, while supporting women to maintain their overall wellbeing and quality of life. We believe that reproductive healthcare should be treated as an essential part of the wider healthcare system, rather than an area that receives less attention or investment.

By signing this petition, you are supporting a healthcare system that listens to women, recognises the importance of reproductive health and works towards making appropriate care more accessible. We are calling for greater government investment so that women across New Zealand have a better opportunity to receive early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, specialist support and reliable information when they need it. Together, we can advocate for a healthcare system where women’s reproductive health is recognised as a genuine public health priority and where access to quality care is not determined by how long someone can wait, how much they can afford, or how strongly they have to advocate for themselves.