Auckland Radiation Oncology

07/04/2026

We’re proud to be featured in this new video from ASB Bank, highlighting the care we provide at Auckland Radiation Oncology and the impact of advanced cancer treatment for patients across Aotearoa. This includes robotic radiotherapy with CyberKnife and treatment on the latest Elekta Evo linear accelerator, enabling highly precise, image-guided care specifically tailored to each patient.

At ARO, our focus is always on delivering world-class radiotherapy with precision, compassion, and care. From leading-edge technology to the expertise of our multidisciplinary team, every aspect of the care we provide is designed to improve outcomes and quality of life for people facing cancer.

We’re grateful to ASB for taking the time to tell this story and for their support in enabling ARO to provide innovative and exceptional cancer care in New Zealand.

Access to timely, high-quality cancer care is one of New Zealand's biggest healthcare challenges, and innovation is playing a critical role in meeting that n...

30/03/2026

Last week, we were proud to help convene and host the 2026 New Zealand Physics and Engineering in Medicine (NZPEM) conference in Auckland, alongside Auckland City Hospital.

This important annual event brings together medical physicists and engineers from across Aotearoa, providing an opportunity to share the latest research, discuss clinical initiatives, and strengthen collaboration across the profession. It was a privilege for our team to play an active role in facilitating these conversations.

ARO’s Chief Physicist, Ian Hanson, co-convened the event alongside Christine Thompson of Auckland City Hospital.

ARO Principal Physicist, Deirdre Hutton was part of a team with Auckland City Hospital physicists who developed the scientific programme. At the conference, Deirdre presented on software tools currently under development which aim to improve efficiency in the calculation of previous radiation dose to patients undergoing repeat radiation treatment. ARO Senior Physicist, Ronnie Leung presented on a script he developed which incorporates AI to automate treatment planning for radiation therapy.

We were also pleased to welcome Medical Physics Registrars to ARO for a training workshop titled "Motion Management in Radiation Therapy". This was a demonstration given by Ian and Deirdre to show how patient motion and breathing motion is accounted for on CyberKnife and on linear accelerators using Brainlab ExacTrac and Elekta ABC technology – helping ensure radiation is delivered with exceptional precision.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this event happen. It’s through collaboration like this that we continue to advance cancer care for patients across Aotearoa.

26/03/2026

Three years after introducing CyberKnife at Auckland Radiation Oncology, we’re seeing something very meaningful for patients: it has become the treatment of choice for many across Aotearoa.

“The impact of this technology is truly national,” says ARO CEO Dr Kate McLellan.

“More than one-third of our CyberKnife prostate cancer patients are travelling from outside the greater Auckland region, spanning the full length of the country. Patients are choosing this technology and making the journey because of the clinical precision, reduced treatment burden, and expertise available within our programme.”

As the only provider of CyberKnife robotic radiotherapy in New Zealand, ARO offers sub-millimetre precision in prostate cancer treatment.

This non-invasive alternative to conventional radiotherapy or surgery enables highly targeted dose delivery while protecting surrounding healthy tissue – helping to minimise unwanted side effects.

CyberKnife utilisation continues to grow and is now successfully treating prostate, spine, brain, liver and pancreatic cancers at ARO, expanding access to advanced stereotactic radiotherapy techniques within New Zealand.

“We’re incredibly proud of what this programme has achieved in just three years,” says Dr McLellan. “And we’re even more optimistic about what comes next for patients nationwide.”

20/03/2026

When ARO patient, Ken went for a routine blood test, he didn’t expect it would change the course of his year. The results showed elevated PSA levels, leading to a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Today, Ken is relieved to share that he’s received the all-clear. Looking back, what surprises him most isn’t just the outcome, but how he feels about the journey.

“ARO's CyberKnife® is very different to traditional radiotherapy in that you need far fewer treatment sessions.”

Before CyberKnife® treatment, Ken needed fiducial markers (small gold seeds) inserted into his prostate. Expecting an overnight hospital stay, he packed a bag, only to find the procedure took just 10 - 15 minutes.

Ken then received five short CyberKnife® sessions over 10 days travelling from Hamilton with his wife and daughter.

What stands out most in Ken’s memory is the personal care he and his family received.

“Every interaction at ARO was positive. They went over and above at every point,” he says.

You can learn more about CyberKnife and how it works here: https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/treat.../cyberknife/

12/03/2026

On Monday, members of our team attended the Institute of Directors ‘Give to Gain’ event, held to mark International Women's Day.

With an impressive line-up of speakers - including Nicola Grigg, Victoria Carter and Gráinne Troute - the session offered valuable insight into what can be gained, both personally and professionally, through board service, philanthropy, mentoring, and championing other women.

For ARO CEO Kate McLellan, the event reinforced something already embedded in ARO’s culture.

“It’s always fantastic to see professional women being celebrated. At ARO, we’re fortunate to have a strong contingent of talented women at all levels of the organisation - from our senior leadership team to our specialists, administrative staff, and care teams.”

A great reminder of the impact that comes from supporting and lifting each other up.

Pictured from left to right: Anna O'Connell, Kate McLellan, Dr Maria Pearse, Rochelle Granshaw

06/03/2026

Earlier this week, we hosted a BBQ lunch to acknowledge the outstanding work our team delivers every day.

Exceptional patient care doesn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of skilled, committed people working together. We’re proud of our team and grateful for the impact they make for patients across Aotearoa.

19/01/2026

While undergoing CyberKnife® treatment for prostate cancer, ARO patient Alan often thought about a friend receiving traditional radiation therapy overseas at the same time.

“He had to have around 30 treatment sessions for his prostate cancer. It was significantly more difficult,” Alan says. “CyberKnife® was just a different experience.”

In New Zealand CyberKnife® is only available through ARO. Prostate cancer patients receiving CyberKnife® treatment typically only need five 30-minute treatments, which can be completed over 10 days.

To learn more about Alan’s experience, you can read his full story here: https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/news/alans-story-cyberknife-treatment-for-prostate-canc/

15/01/2026

People travel from all over Aotearoa to access world-leading treatment technology through ARO.

As the only provider of CyberKnife® robotic radiation therapy in the country, we offer non-invasive treatment, delivered with far fewer sessions than conventional radiotherapy.

The reduced treatment timeframe makes it practical for patients to travel and be treated by us. For prostate cancer, a full course of treatment with CyberKnife® can be completed in just five 30-minute sessions spread over 10 days.

Of course, even with reduced timeframes, having to travel when unwell can be incredibly challenging.

That’s why we are honoured to regularly receive positive feedback from patients who live out-of-town and have travelled to be treated at ARO.

Knowing that we’re making their experience a little bit easier – while delivering world-class care – is one of the things that drives us.

08/01/2026

We’re proud to offer patients around Aotearoa access to CyberKnife® - a revolutionary treatment approach for brain, liver, spine, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

This game-changing robotic radiotherapy system is the invention of neurosurgeon Dr. John R. Adler Jr, who teamed up with colleagues at Stanford University in the late 1980s to develop it.

Working with experts in computer science, robotics, imaging and radiation experts, Dr. Adler’s aim was to develop a less invasive and more accurate way to treat brain tumours. Once created, it quickly became apparent that CyberKnife® would also be invaluable for treating cancers in other parts of the body.

The first CyberKnife® radiotherapy was completed in 1994, and the FDA approved its use for treatment of tumours anywhere in the body in 2001.

Today, CyberKnife® remains a world-leading approach that enables clinicians to treat tumours non-invasively and with incredible precision - dramatically expanding what’s possible in therapeutic radiation.

In New Zealand, ARO is the only provider of CyberKnife®. To learn more, visit our website: https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/treatment-techniques/cyberknife/

30/12/2025

What a way to finish the year 💙

We’re delighted with these recent comments, received from some of our wonderful patients.

You can learn more about what patients say about their experiences with us here: https://aucklandradiationoncology.co.nz/testimonials/

22/12/2025

Every festive season, we challenge our team to ‘deck the halls’ at ARO – and every year, they deliver!

2025’s efforts saw the addition of Santa with his CT scan and Frosty the Snowman in our CT scanning space, a gingerbread house at our nurses station, and a sea of Christmas elves in our downstairs treatment area. There were also plenty of snowflakes, sleighs and even a few Grinches!

While decorating isn’t technically in our job description, our team loves having the opportunity to bring a little cheer (and distraction!) to patients and their whānau.

21/12/2025

Every festive season, we challenge our team to ‘deck the halls’ at ARO – and every year, they deliver!

2025’s efforts saw the addition of Santa with his CT scan and Frosty the Snowman in our CT scanning space, a gingerbread house at our nurses station, and a sea of Christmas elves in our downstairs treatment area. There were also plenty of snowflakes, sleighs and even a few Grinches!

While decorating isn’t technically in our job description, our team loves having the opportunity to bring a little cheer (and distraction!) to patients and their whānau.