Hepatitis C is preventable and curable

That's the Government's message - as it unveils a plan to eliminate the illness in New Zealand by the end of the decade .

About 45 thousand Kiwis have the disease - but only half know it, as symptoms often only appear when the damage is done.

The action plan includes ramping up distribution of free injecting equipment, and increasing access to testing through nurse-led clinics.

Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in this country.