About us
2 in 3 New Zealanders will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime
Skin Cancer New Zealand unites professionals, researchers, and communities to prevent skin cancer and save lives. Through national leadership and shared knowledge, we drive lasting improvements in health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
Explore our work and join us in making a lasting difference.
Our core values
Equity
Improving access and outcomes for all
Excellence
Best practice in every setting
Patient-focused
People first, always
Evidence-based
Informed by research and data
Collaborative
Stronger together
Our three pillars of action
Lead and advocate
Driving meaningful improvements in skin cancer prevention, detection, treatment and research.
Connect and educate
Upskilling our health workforce, strengthening partnerships among skin cancer professionals and engaging communities.
Thrive and communicate
Expanding our reach, deepening our impact and strengthening who we are to create lasting change.
Our history
The Melanoma Network of New Zealand (MelNet) was established in 2008 with a clear mission: to reduce the incidence and impact of melanoma through professional collaboration.
Since then, MelNet has grown from a small group of dedicated health professionals into a nationwide network connecting more than 1,500 clinicians, researchers, health promoters, policy makers, and advocates.
Over the years the organisation became a trusted voice for skin cancer professionals across New Zealand, and its work has helped shape how melanoma is prevented, detected, and treated.
From MelNet to Skin Cancer NZ
In 2025, MelNet began its transition to Skin Cancer New Zealand.
While our previous name was well-known, it focused on melanoma and didn't reflect the breadth of our work across all forms of skin cancer. We wanted a name and identity that clearly represents who we are today and the full scope of our mission.
Although our name and look have changed, our commitment to preventing skin cancers, supporting early detection, and improving outcomes for all New Zealanders remains the same.