Māori are more likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 60 than non-Māori, yet the New Zealand Bowel Screening Programme (BSP) begins at age 60. The Government’s recent decision to implement a universal screening age of 58 for all New Zealanders disregards ethnicity-specific data and equity considerations. A phased rollout of pilots had been underway to offer screening from age 50 for Māori, aligning with their earlier risk profile. However, this targeted measure has now been withdrawn. This one-size-fits-all approach will increase cancer deaths and reduce life expectancy for Māori, further exacerbating existing health inequities. Over half of bowel cancers in Māori (58% of females and 52% of males) occur before age 60, compared to under one-third in non-Māori. This delay in eligibility contributes to late diagnoses, poorer outcomes, and reinforces systemic barriers to timely care. While Māori and non-Māori share similar age-specific incidence rates, Māori are affected earlier due to having a younger population. Challenges also include lower participation, limited access to culturally safe services, and colonoscopy capacity. Although New Zealand remains behind international screening standards, targeted approaches are feasible. Waikato DHB completed a successful pilot screening Māori from age 50, with Tairāwhiti and MidCentral pilots ongoing. The recent change to apply a universal approach to bowel screening in Aotearoa fails to uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and perpetuates health injustice.