What is this test?
The Covid-19 Saliva Test is a highly accurate PCR (RT-PCR) test to detect Covid-19.
PCR saliva tests are officially recognised by mainland China.
The family friendly test has no nose or throat swabs, and can detect the virus before symptoms start to show.
This is the same test used as part of the Covid-19 health response in Aotearoa, and is used widely by businesses and communities.
The test is called ‘Test2BSure’ and is provided by our partners Rako Science. You can book and pay for this test through the book now button above.
Results are sent by SMS on the day of testing (by midnight).
This test does not provide international travel certification. Please visit testtotravel.co.nz or rakotest2fly.com to book a pre-departure Covid-19 test.
Test in 4 easy steps
Visit one of our
collection
centres
Produce your
sample
Receive your test
results by SMS
FAQs
The Rako Science saliva test is an RT-qPCR test, a nucleic acid amplification technique which Rako Science have adapted for the specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 only. The Rako Science test is not a rapid saliva-based antigen test, and is instead processed in the same way as a nasopharyngeal swab.
Rako Science PCR COVID-19 testing is IANZ accredited (accreditation No. 987 IGENZ Ltd.). Rako Science licensed their saliva protocol directly from developers at the University of Illinois in September 2020. Rako Science contracted Auckland based IANZ-accredited ISO15189 laboratory IGENZ and worked together to diagnostically validate the test to an ISO15189 standard in December 2020. In January 2021, IGENZ achieved IANZ accreditation.
When COVID-19 first arrived, a test to detect it was needed almost immediately. The nasopharyngeal swab was soon adopted as the gold standard. Pre-COVID-19, saliva had been used to detect other respiratory viruses with success, so a New Zealand researcher at Yale University, Dr Anne Wyllie, who had experience of using saliva to detect other respiratory viruses, used her knowledge to test saliva for SARS-COV-2. What she, and subsequently others found, was that SARS-COV-2 was also present in high titres in saliva, allowing detection of SARS-COV-2 and sometimes before it was even detectable by a nasal swab.
Rako Science collection sites are designed to make providing a sample quick and easy. After check-in, where identity is confirmed, clients are provided with a teaspoon to drool into and produce 1.5ml of saliva to tip into a plastic tube. It is a quick, simple, painless process and after hand sanitisation, you are free to go.
Rako Science has collected samples from children as young as 18 months old. Please contact us to learn about how we can assist testing children in your care.
Collection
centres
Visit one of our locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.
Make a booking to ensure you’re seen at the time you arrive.
