Appointments for Special Testing


If your healthcare provider has given you a laboratory request form, it is important that you bring this with you.

Patients who have had a virtual consultation, your form may have been sent to us directly. We will need to know your details so we can access the form from our system.

While the majority of tests are straightforward, there are some that require some prior preparation from you. Your healthcare provider should advise you or please check THIS Specific Test Instructions page on the website.

It is recommended that you do not smoke / vape prior to your test.

The tests we do need an appointment for are as follows:


Find contact numbers, addresses, and opening hours for our collection facilities.


Allergy testing

Allergy testing. An appointment is required. Please contact a suitable collection facility below for more information on test requirements. Please see Providers > Forms for documents that your doctor can assist in completing before testing.

  • Bay of Plenty - Tauranga only at Cameron Rd via Tauranga Hospital entrance
  • Hamilton - Waikato - Tristram St in Hamilton, Thames, Matamata
  • Rotorua - Rotorua only at the Hospital OPD
  • Whakatane - Whakatane only at the Hospital OPD, afternoon appointments only
  • Taupo - Taupo only at the Hospital OPD

Bone Marrow

Bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are procedures to collect and examine bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones.

  • Bay of Plenty - Tauranga Hospital only - by appointment only
  • Hamilton - Tristram St site only - Haematology Department - by appointment only
  • Rotorua - OPD Hospital Lab - by appointment only
  • Whakatane - Not available, Tauranga only.
  • Taupo - Not available, Rotorua only.

DNA for paternity/maternity test

It is preferred that this payment is made directly to DNA Diagnostics prior to this test being booked (unless other arrangements made e.g. legal aid). Recent passport style photograph required for all parties, plus passport or drivers license if available. Information of legal representation is required. Child under 16 years must NOT have sample collected without guardians consent (signed form DNA01c). Please refer to https://www.dnadiagnostics.co.nz/paternity-test-nz.htm for information and up to date pricing.

  • Bay of Plenty - Cameron Rd, via Tauranga Hospital entrance afternoon appointments, Mon-Thu
  • Hamilton - Main laboratory only in Hamilton and some out of town surgeries
  • Rotorua - Haupapa Street site only
  • Whakatane - Collection rooms only, not hospital site
  • Taupo - Tuwharetoa Street

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)

Fine-needle aspiration is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses.

  • Bay of Plenty - Cameron Rd, via Tauranga Hospital entrance, Tauranga (Mon, Tue, Thurs mornings)
  • Hamilton - 58 Tristram St, Hamilton
  • Rotorua - Hospital OPD - Appointment made at Haupapa Street
  • Whakatane - Hospital Laboratory (Thur mornings)
  • Taupo - Hospital OPD - Appointment made at Haupapa Street

Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) - Mammogram before FNA or 10 days post

Fine-needle aspiration is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses.

  • Bay of Plenty - Cameron Rd, via Tauranga Hospital entrance - Mon, Tue, and Thu mornings
  • Hamilton - 58 Tristram St, Hamilton
  • Rotorua - Hospital OPD - Appointment made at Haupapa Street
  • Whakatane - Thur morning
  • Taupo - Hospital OPD - Appointment made at Haupapa Street

Glucose Tolerance Test - GTT / PTT

You can have this test at any of our collection rooms. Morning appointment required, patient must be fasting 8-12 hours, test takes 2 hours to complete and you must remain at the rooms for the duration

  • Bay of Plenty - Performed at all rooms, limit of 3 appointments on Sat mornings
  • Hamilton - All facilities – Anglesea collection facility only Sat mornings
  • Rotorua - Haupapa Street / Hospital OPD
  • Whakatane - Every morning
  • Taupo - Weekdays

Skin Allergy Testing

Allow 40 minutes for the test to be completed. It is important when you contact us for an appointment that you have a list of your medications to refer to. See the list of collection facilities below that perform this test and can give you detailed information on the testing process and requirements. Referral for this test must be approved by the Immunologist. See Providers > Forms for documentation that must be completed. Note that infants under the age of 18 months will not be tested (unless consultation and prior approval by a pathologist).

  • Bay of Plenty - Cameron Road, entrance to Pathlab is via Tauranga Hospital entrance, Baymed
  • Hamilton - Anglesea St, Thames and Matamata
  • Rotorua - Hospital OPD
  • Whakatane - Hospital site
  • Taupo - Not Available

Synacthen - test for Addison’s disease

No cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, Dexamethasone, Betamethesone 8hrs prior to test. Appointment time is required, the test takes approximately 1 hr 10 mins, patient must stay at the laboratory for the duration.

  • Bay of Plenty - Cameron Rd, via Tauranga Hospital entrance, it's important to ensure the Pathologist will be available. The requestor must write a prescription for Synathen 0.25mg for the patient to collect from a pharmacy and bring with them to their appointment.
  • Hamilton - 58 Tristram St, Hamilton, , it's important to ensure the Pathologist will be available. The requestor must write a prescription for Synathen 0.25mg for the patient to collect from a pharmacy and bring with them to their appointment.
  • Rotorua - Hospital day stay unit
  • Whakatane - Hospital
  • Taupo - Hospital day stay unit

Please note that we cannot offer urine drug testing for pre-employment, return to work, or drivers licence purposes. Contact TTDA - The Drug Detection Agency.