There's optimism that New Zealand could follow Australia's lead and effectively eliminate cervical cancer within the next four decades.

New research from across the Tasman shows a dramatic decline in the rate of HPV from 24 percent to just one percent, in the last decade.

Cancer Society Medical Director Chris Jackson told Mike Hosking while our immunisation rate is slightly lower than Australia's and we too could follow a similar trend.

"If we can indeed get HPV levels down that low that we may well see a near disappearance of HPV related cancers."

Mr Jackson also said we need to catch up with Australia when it comes to our national vaccination program.

"Australia are getting about 73% of their girls and boys vaccinated. New Zealand's figures are around 69% and 64% so we could be doing better."