The refreshed New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029 includes important commitments to preventing skin cancer, strengthening early detection and improving access to consistent care.
The New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029 sets out the Government’s priorities for improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care over the next three years.
Released by Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency in July, the refreshed Plan recognises the growing impact of cancer across Aotearoa New Zealand. More than 30,000 people were estimated to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, with this number projected to exceed 45,000 a year by 2044.
Skin Cancer NZ welcomes the Plan’s recognition of skin cancer as a significant national health issue. Alongside several actions specifically focused on skin cancer, its broader commitments to more equitable and consistent care, a capable and connected workforce, and stronger cancer data are also important for improving skin cancer outcomes.
A stronger focus on prevention
The Plan identifies skin cancer as New Zealand’s most commonly diagnosed cancer and acknowledges that more than 90% of cases are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Preventing harmful UVR exposure must therefore be central to reducing our exceptionally high rates of disease.
To support this, targeted UVR awareness campaigns, further behavioural research and expansion of the SunSmart programme are planned. These initiatives align closely with the priorities in the Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Strategy 2024–2028.
The Plan also recognises the need to prevent cancers caused by work-related carcinogens. This includes providing guidance and resources for businesses, assessing how harmful exposures are being managed, and taking enforcement action where employers are not meeting their health and safety responsibilities.
Although not specifically named in this action, solar UVR is a significant occupational carcinogen. Research has conclusively established a link between occupational UVR exposure and non-melanoma skin cancers and suggests an association with melanoma on sun-exposed parts of the body. WorkSafe’s New Zealand Carcinogens Survey estimated that more than one-quarter of New Zealand workers are likely to be exposed to solar UVR at work, including around 190,000 workers with high exposure.
Skin Cancer NZ will continue to advocate for occupational UVR to be explicitly included in the implementation of this action, with appropriate guidance, monitoring and enforcement to better protect people who work outdoors.
More consistent care across New Zealand
Several of the Plan’s wider commitments could help improve the consistency and equity of skin cancer diagnosis and care across New Zealand.
The Plan aims to reduce differences between regions in access to radiology and make pathology reporting more consistent across the country. Both changes could improve the consistency and equity of skin cancer care and reflect areas in which Skin Cancer NZ has advocated for national improvement.
A national primary-care pathway for skin cancer is also planned, together with online training to strengthen health professionals’ skills in skin cancer detection and dermoscopy. Skin Cancer NZ is already developing this education programme in partnership with Health New Zealand. Although our role is not acknowledged in the Plan, the commitment to accessible, online training is welcome. The programme will help primary-care health professionals build their knowledge and confidence in skin cancer prevention, early detection and management.
These initiatives sit alongside plans to train more general practitioners to treat and manage more advanced skin cancers through a General Practitioner with Special Interest model and to expand cancer services in rural and community settings. This has the potential to improve access to care closer to home, reduce regional variation and allow specialist hospital services to focus on people with more complex needs.
Wider commitments to person- and whānau-centred care are also relevant to people affected by skin cancer. Improved navigation, access to reliable information and allied health support, together with assistance for people facing travel and accommodation barriers, will help make care more accessible and better connected.
Ensuring skin cancer is visible within the wider system
Reliable data is essential for understanding the burden of skin cancer, identifying inequities and planning services. However, non-melanoma skin cancers are not included in the New Zealand Cancer Registry, leaving significant gaps in our national data.
Commitments to strengthen cancer staging and structured pathology reporting, improve information about access to services and patient outcomes, and make better use of regional and equity data provide an opportunity to build a clearer picture of the impact of skin cancer in New Zealand. Skin cancer must be included in this work and in the measures used to monitor progress.
Skin Cancer NZ looks forward to continuing to work with Health New Zealand, the Cancer Control Agency and others across the sector to turn these commitments into meaningful improvements for New Zealanders.