Awanui Group
Awanui Group is New Zealand's largest pathology and diagnostic testing provider, processing 7+ million samples annually across 23 laboratories and 151 collection centres. It serves 25,000 patients daily under contract with Health New Zealand, handling 75% of the country's laboratory testing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Awanui Group does
Awanui Group is New Zealand's largest provider of human pathology, veterinary diagnostics, and analytical testing services, operating as a national integrated laboratory network. Formed in 2022 through the consolidation of legacy regional brands (Southern Community Laboratories, Canterbury SCL, Wellington SCL, Medlab South, Taranaki Pathology, Northland Pathology, Labtests, Gribbles Veterinary, Gribbles Analytical), the company handles approximately 75% of all laboratory and pathology testing in the country, processing more than 7 million patient samples annually across 23 laboratories, 151 collection centres, and a 200+ vehicle courier fleet serving 25,000 patients daily. Awanui is contracted to deliver services to Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) across nine regions and reports handling 98% of GP referrals and 35% of hospital testing in New Zealand.
The platform is anchored by Project NOVA, a single integrated Laboratory Information System deployed across 18 sites, and includes production-grade automation such as the Roche 3.0 core laboratory system in Auckland (25 analysers, ~10,000 samples daily) and PathFinder benchtop robotic workstations. Digital pathology is operationalised via Leica Aperio GT450 DX whole-slide imaging, with research-stage AI capabilities including a Nano-i digital microscope using Microsoft Custom Vision for automated cell counting and Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing for C. difficile surveillance. Awanui also offers direct-to-consumer self-requested testing through BODYiQ, veterinary diagnostics under Awanui Veterinary (with Antech partnership), and food/water analytical services under Awanui Scientific.
Revenue is dominated by Health NZ contracted pathology services (NZ$340 million disclosed), supplemented by commercial clinical trial testing, workplace screening, immigration testing, prenatal NIPS, BODYiQ self-requested testing, and veterinary/scientific services. The company is jointly owned by the New Zealand Super Fund and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, employs 2,100+ staff including 70 specialist pathologists, refinanced NZ$313 million of debt in 2025, and reported a pre-tax loss of NZ$2.9 million in 2025 following losses of NZ$22.5M (2023) and NZ$21.4M (2024).
Awanui Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Awanui Group
- Legal name
- APHG NZ Investments Limited
- Website
- https://awanuigroup.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Awanui Group is New Zealand's largest pathology and diagnostic testing provider, processing 7+ million samples annually across 23 laboratories and 151 collection centres. It serves 25,000 patients daily under contract with Health New Zealand, handling 75% of the country's laboratory testing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Awanui Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Services
- NAICS
- Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)
- SIC
- Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) & Near-Patient Labs (HLAFAMAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Anatomic Pathology (Histopathology & Cytopathology) (HLAFAMAA), Genetic & Prenatal Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAH), At-Home Lab Testing & Diagnostics-Integrated Virtual Care (HLALAAAE)
Keywords
Where Awanui Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices10 records
Markets served
Awanui Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Health NZ Contracts: Primary revenue stream from contracted pathology laboratory services delivered to Health NZ (formerly district health boards). Revenue of $340 million from Health NZ contracts covering community and hospital laboratory testing across nine regions.
- Self-Requested Testing (BODYiQ): Direct-to-consumer laboratory testing service enabling individuals to access health testing without GP referral. Provides results via digital portal with optional Results Protection service connecting customers to GPs through The Doctors Online partnership.
- Commercial Services: Clinical trial testing, workplace health screening, immigration testing, prenatal screening (NIPS), and COVID-19 testing services for commercial clients.
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services: Veterinary diagnostic testing and pathology services through Awanui Veterinary brand, including partnership with Antech Diagnostics for point-of-care testing solutions and Nu.Q canine cancer risk assessment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Health NZ contracted pathology services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
Awanui Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Awanui Group is New Zealand's largest pathology and diagnostic testing provider, delivering human pathology, veterinary diagnostic, and analytical testing services through a national network of 23 laboratories and 151 collection centres. The company offers self-requested direct-to-consumer testing via the BODYiQ platform, point-of-care testing for rural communities, and commercial services including clinical trial, workplace, immigration, and prenatal screening. It processes over 7 million patient samples annually, representing approximately 75% of all laboratory and pathology testing in New Zealand.
Product overview
Awanui Group operates as a multi-brand laboratory and pathology services provider consisting of three core divisions: Awanui Labs (human pathology), Awanui Veterinary (animal diagnostics), and Awanui Scientific (analytical testing). Awanui Labs is the dominant community and hospital laboratory provider in New Zealand, handling approximately 75% of all laboratory testing through a network of 151 collection centres and 23 laboratories serving over 25,000 patients daily. The company offers specialist services including Digital Pathology (Whole Slide Imaging), Point-of-Care Testing for rural communities, clinical trial testing, and the BODYiQ self-requested testing platform for direct-to-consumer health management. Results are shared through integrated clinical databases including TestSafe and Eclair. The network was formerly comprised of Southern Community Laboratories, Canterbury SCL, Wellington SCL, Medlab South, Taranaki Pathology, Northland Pathology, and Labtests, now unified under the Awanui brand with Project NOVA laboratory information system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Awanui Labs: Human pathology and laboratory services
- Awanui Veterinary
- Awanui Scientific
- BODYiQ
- Project NOVA
- Co:Lab
Products and services
- Awanui Labs (Human Pathology) Community and hospital pathology and laboratory testing services delivered to GPs, specialists, and Health NZ across New Zealand, processing over 7 million patient samples annually across 23 laboratories and 151 collection centres.
- Awanui Veterinary Veterinary diagnostic testing and pathology services for veterinary practices across New Zealand, including point-of-care testing through the Antech Diagnostics partnership and Nu.Q canine cancer risk assessment.
- Awanui Scientific Analytical and scientific testing services for food, water, and environmental diagnostics.
- BODYiQ Self-Requested Testing Direct-to-consumer laboratory testing platform enabling New Zealanders to order their own health tests without GP referral, with digital results delivery and optional GP consultation.
- Clinical Trial Testing Laboratory testing services for clinical trials supporting pharmaceutical research and medical research studies.
- Workplace Health Screening Occupational health screening services for employers, including workplace health assessments and testing programmes.
- Immigration Testing Medical laboratory testing services required for immigration applications and visa processing in New Zealand.
- Prenatal NIPS (Illumiscreen) Screening Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) services for expectant mothers, marketed under the Illumiscreen brand.
- COVID-19 Testing COVID-19 diagnostic testing service for commercial and public health customers.
- Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Coordination Service Decentralised diagnostic testing service bringing laboratory testing closer to patients in rural and remote communities, with real-time result flow into the LIS and clinical repositories.
Quantifiable outcome
- 47% reduction in blood rebleeds for NICU babies through clotted CBC sample reporting
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Awanui Group
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Awanui Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability9 records
Feature8 records
Awanui Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ScreenSouth LimitedminorCollaboration supporting National Bowel Screening Programme by providing drop-off points for completed screening kits at Awanui Labs collection centres across Canterbury.
- Antech Diagnostic LimitedminorPartnership delivering point-of-care testing solutions for veterinary practices across New Zealand, combining Antech's global innovation with Awanui Veterinary's local expertise and sector knowledge.
- The Doctors Online (Green Cross Health)minorPartnership providing Results Protection service for BODYiQ self-requested testing. Offers direct access to New Zealand-registered GPs for follow-up guidance when results fall outside normal range.
- Pacific Clinical Research NetworkminorBuilt purpose-built Awanui Labs collection centre in Stoke, Nelson, demonstrating partnership approach to expanding healthcare infrastructure in the region.
- Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)corePrimary government customer and partner for delivering pathology services. Health NZ conducts national review of pathology services and RUUC programme partnership for point-of-care testing in rural areas.
- Twizel Medical CentreminorRural medical centre in South Canterbury receiving Point-of-Care Testing equipment and training through the Rural Urgent Unplanned Care programme.
- Roche DiagnosticsminorSupplier partnership for chemistry reagents delivered in sustainable cardboard boxes with wool lining (replacing polystyrene boxes) through DHL. Supports Northland laboratory sustainability initiatives.
- Techion GroupminorResearch collaboration developing Nano-i digital microscope technology using Microsoft Custom Vision AI for automated cell counting in human diagnostic samples including urine, CSF, and other body fluids.
- AUT (Auckland University of Technology)minorEducational partnership providing student placement opportunities for Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science students. Supports practical laboratory experience alongside theoretical study.
- University of OtagominorResearch and educational partnership providing student placement opportunities. Collaboration on DPYD genotyping assay development for cancer drug safety testing.
- University of Otago Medical Laboratory Science ProgrammeminorAcademic collaboration developing and validating DPYD genotyping assay for identifying cancer patients at risk of severe toxicity from 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine drugs.
- Selwyn District CouncilminorLocal government partnership supporting opening of Rolleston collection centre in fastest-growing district in New Zealand. Mayor Sam Broughton attended opening.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves14 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Awanui Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sonic Healthcare: Australia-headquartered global pathology and radiology provider with very similar operating model — national network of laboratories, hospital contracts, specialist pathologists, and expansion into digital/AI pathology. Closest comparable peer by business model, scale, and service mix.
- Antech Diagnostics: Awanui's stated veterinary partner delivering point-of-care diagnostic solutions for veterinary practices. Operates a global veterinary diagnostics network with similar reference-lab and in-clinic testing capabilities to Awanui Veterinary.
- Australian Clinical Labs (ACL): Australian pathology provider offering community and hospital laboratory services. Similar business mix including genetic testing, NIPT, and specialised diagnostics — strong analogue for Awanui's full-service pathology positioning.
- Healius (formerly Primary Health Care): Australian diagnostics and pathology operator running a national network of laboratories and collection centres. Comparable in service breadth (community pathology, hospital contracts, commercial testing) and in operating across a similarly sized trans-Tasman population.
Regional players
- SYNLAB: Europe's leading medical diagnostics services provider, operating reference laboratories and clinical trial services across multiple countries. Comparable in routine clinical pathology, hospital contracts, and clinical-trial sample collection, though focused on European markets.
Broad incumbents
- Quest Diagnostics: One of the two largest US clinical laboratory networks, offering routine and specialty diagnostics. Comparable reference-lab model and DTC testing platform, though at far greater scale and with broader test menu and consumer brand recognition.
- Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp): Global clinical laboratory and diagnostics leader with a comparable mix of routine and specialty testing, plus a direct-to-consumer offering. Much larger and more diversified than Awanui, but operates the same underlying reference-lab economics.
Emerging players
- IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in veterinary diagnostics, with companion-animal and livestock testing products including point-of-care platforms. Highly relevant peer for Awanui's veterinary diagnostics arm given the Antech partnership and Nu.Q canine cancer offering.
- Invitae: US-based genetic testing company with a focus on prenatal screening, hereditary cancer testing, and companion-diagnostic services. Relevant peer for Awanui's NIPS (Illumiscreen) and DPYD genotyping assay businesses.
Others
- Canterbury Health Laboratories: Public hospital laboratory in Christchurch providing diagnostic pathology services for the Canterbury region. Overlaps with Awanui in hospital pathology, particularly relevant given Awanui's contracts with Health NZ in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Awanui Group social profiles
Digital presenceAwanui Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Awanui Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Awanui Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
Awanui Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Awanui Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Awanui Group
What does Awanui Group do?
Awanui Group is New Zealand's largest pathology and diagnostic testing provider, delivering human pathology, veterinary diagnostic, and analytical testing services through a national network of 23 laboratories and 151 collection centres. The company offers self-requested direct-to-consumer testing via the BODYiQ platform, point-of-care testing for rural communities, and commercial services including clinical trial, workplace, immigration, and prenatal screening. It processes over 7 million patient samples annually, representing approximately 75% of all laboratory and pathology testing in New Zealand.
Is Awanui Group a public or private company?
Awanui Group is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Awanui Group founded?
Awanui Group was founded in 2022. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Awanui Group based?
Awanui Group is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Awanui Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Health NZ Contracts are the primary driver. The others are self-Requested Testing (BODYiQ), commercial Services and veterinary Diagnostic Services.
Who are Awanui Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sonic Healthcare, Antech Diagnostics, Australian Clinical Labs (ACL) and Healius (formerly Primary Health Care). SYNLAB is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp). Emerging players are IDEXX Laboratories and Invitae. Canterbury Health Laboratories is listed as an others.
Does Awanui Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Awanui Group.
What industry is Awanui Group in?
Awanui Group's product category is Diagnostic Pathology and Laboratory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAMAI, Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) & Near-Patient Labs, with a secondary code of HLAFAMAA, Anatomic Pathology (Histopathology & Cytopathology). Its NAICS code is 621511 and its SIC code is 8071.