Chlamydia and gonorrhoea self-test

It’s easy to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The right kind of test for you will depend on your genitals, the genitals of the people you have sexual contact with, and what kind of sexual contact you have.

When you request a test through Get Tested NZ, we can send you a free self-test kit to use at home. Or in some areas of the motu, you can choose to do your self-tests at a laboratory instead.

Anyone can use the Request a Test service if they don’t have symptoms of an STI, and they are eligible for publicly funded healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Different body parts require different STI tests. When you request a test, we’ll ask you some questions about your body parts and the body parts of your sexual contacts. This is so we can figure out which tests are right for you.

Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea might mean providing a urine sample, a vaginal swab, a throat swab, an anal swab, or a combination of these. 

• Vaginal swabs. To test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a vaginal swab, you wipe a swab (long cotton bud) inside your vagina.
• Throat swabs. To test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a throat swab, you wipe a swab (long cotton bud) on the back of your throat.
• Anal swabs. These are sometimes called rectal swabs. To test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with an anal swab, you wipe a swab (long cotton bud) inside your anus.
• Urine samples. If you have a penis, the best way to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea is to collect some of your urine in a test tube.

You can do any of these at home using a free Get Tested NZ self-test kit. In some areas of the motu, you can choose to do your self-tests at a laboratory instead.

Read the testing instructions

You’ll receive instructions along with your self-test kit, as well as everything you need to do the tests. You’ll also receive a specimen bag to put your samples in once you’ve taken them.

After you’ve taken your samples, they need to be tested by a laboratory. We recommend dropping off your samples to your nearest laboratory or collection point. If you can’t do this, you can request a free return envelope to send your samples in – but this will mean it takes longer to get your results.

Read the testing instructions

Gonorrhoea and chlamydia self-tests are tested at a laboratory. Different laboratories have different collection and processing times. We’ll get the results to you as soon as we can.

We recommend dropping off your samples to your nearest laboratory or collection point – this is the fastest way to get your results. 
Or if you asked for a free return envelope, you can send your samples back in this. But this will mean it takes longer to get your results. 

If the results are negative (you don’t have chlamydia or gonorrhoea, or you tested too soon for the test to pick up the infection), we’ll send you a text message (SMS) to let you know.

If the results are positive (you have chlamydia or gonorrhoea), we’ll call you to let you know and talk about your treatment options.

Different laboratories around Aotearoa have different processes for testing your samples. All laboratories will test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Some might also test for trichomoniasis. 

More about treatment options