Wellington, Sep 13: New Zealand woman Chris Price, 63, was told she had a problem with her prostate - a gland that only men have - after a routine blood test to check her diabetes, a newspaper reported Sunday.

"I didn't realise I'd changed sex overnight," she told the Herald on Sunday that published her story under the headline: "Labtests latest balls up".

The mix-up was one of a series of problems experienced in Auckland, the country's largest city, after the local health board switched all blood tests in the region to the Australian company Labtests last month.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has ordered an inquiry after receiving a string of complaints. (DPA)