About 50,000 young women become eligible for a free vaccination against cervical cancer from 1 September.
The Gardasil vaccine is being gradually introduced for girls from age 12 by 2011. It is available first to those born in 1990 and 1991.
Some 300,000 females will be covered when the full vaccination programme against human papilloma virus is fully rolled out.
Early next year, the vaccine will also be offered in schools and medical practices for other age groups. It is voluntary - no one will be forced to have the vaccine.
In order for it to have the biggest chance of success, Radio New Zealand's health correspondent says the vaccine should be given before girls become sexually active.
About 160 women in New Zealand are diagnosed every year with cervical cancer and 60 die from it. Almost all of cervical cancer is linked to an infection with what is called the human papilloma virus or HPV.
This vaccine protects against the four types of the virus that cause most cervical cancers and most genital warts. It is given by three injections into the upper arm.
Medical specialists say it is the most significant development since the introduction of the pap smear.
The vaccine has been available in New Zealand since 2006 at a cost of $450 for the three injections. The Government is spending $177 million on the campaign.
