STI testing and treatment

STI tests are done by taking samples from the parts of your body you use when you have sex. The samples are taken with a swab — basically a long cotton bud. 

Either you, or a nurse or doctor, will take these samples.

If you use your penis for sex, you will be asked for a mimi sample — so it’s important not to mimi before your appointment.

Sometimes, you may also need to get an external, or internal, examination to see if there are visible signs of an infection. Your nurse or doctor will also swab any sores, ulcers, or discharge that you have. 

Your test samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing. You should be contacted with your test results within a week.

You can do STI self-testing if you have no signs of infection.

You can't do an STI self test if you have any symptoms listed below, have oral or anal sex (you may need additional tests), or you want a full STI check that includes blood tests for syphilis and HIV. 

• Unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or anus

• Pain when peeing

• Lumps or skin growths around your genitals or anus
  A rash

• Unusual vaginal bleeding

• Itchy genitals or anus

• Blisters and sores around your genitals or anus

All our clinics offer STI self-testing. STI self-testing means you don’t need to see a nurse or doctor. Depending where you live, you might be asked to come to the clinic, or we may ask you to go to a collection centre to do the test. 

STI self test collection centre

If you are going to a collection centre, they will give you instructions there. 

• In Northland, testing is done at Northland Pathology
• In Auckland, testing is done at Labtests
• In New Plymouth, testing is done at Taranaki Pathology
• In Whanganui and Gisborne, testing is done at Medlab Central 
• In Wellington, testing is done at Awanui Labs (previously Wellington SCL)
• In Blenheim and Timaru, testing is done at Awanui Labs (previously Medlab South) 
• In Christchurch and Rangiora, testing is done at Awanui Labs (previously Canterbury SCL)
• In Dunedin and Invercargill, testing is done at Awanui Labs (previously SCL Labs)

At a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic (formerly Family Planning)

You will need to answer a few questions to check the STI self-test is right for you. If it is:

• You can do the self-test — either taking a swab and/or a urine sample — in the privacy of our clinic bathroom
• You return the self-testing kit to the medical receptionist
• A nurse will contact you within five days to let you know your results — just like they would for a regular STI test
• If you need treatment, your nurse will help you book an appointment

STI self-testing is only available to New Zealand residents. 

If you would prefer to see a nurse for an STI test, you can still do this by making a regular appointment at one of clinics. 

Our appointments are free for New Zealand residents under 22 years old. If you are 22 years, or older, you’ll pay our standard appointment fees — unless you are eligible for subsidised health care, or you have a Community Services Card. If you are eligible for subsidised health care, your appointment will be free. If you have a Community Services Card, your appointment will cost $5.

If you’re not a New Zealand resident, you’ll need to pay non-resident fees.