Skin Cancer NZ welcomes today’s announcement of a joint $2 million investment from the Government and the Cancer Society into the SunSmart programme during the 2026/27 year.
The investment reflects growing recognition of the importance of prevention and early detection in addressing New Zealand’s skin cancer burden.
According to Minister Brown, the initiative is expected to include:
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with an estimated 100,000 skin cancers diagnosed and around 500 deaths each year. Prevention and early detection remain critical to reducing the impact of skin cancer on individuals, whānau, and the wider health system.
Last year, Skin Cancer NZ launched the Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Strategy, which set out a clear direction for strengthening how we prevent and detect skin cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is encouraging to see that direction now being backed with meaningful investment.
This announcement is a positive and significant step forward and reflects the collective effort of many organisations and individuals working across the sector.