A bowel-screening trial has detected cancer early in 129 people - many of whom had no symptoms.
The $24 million Waitemata bowel screening programme has tested more than 58,000 people since it began in January 2012.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said the trial was detecting cancers earlier than when people visited their doctor when something "wasn't quite right".
The trial will run until 2015, when the decision will be made whether to roll out a national programme.
