Being SunSmart

Slip, slop, slap and wrap to protect yourself and your family from sunburn.

Never get sunburnt. No matter what your skin type, sunburn now can lead to melanoma later in life. Remember, you don’t have to be bright red to be sunburnt. Any change of colour can lead to skin damage.

Being SunSmart in New Zealand is crucial. Our unique environment makes us particularly vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation.  New Zealand has clear skies and is closer to the sun in summer. Add to these, the typical Kiwi outdoor lifestyle and some very fair skin types, and New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma death rates in the world.

In this section:

• Slip, slop, slap and wrap
• Creating shade
• UV index
• Who needs to be careful?
• Why is sunburn bad?
• When is the greatest risk?
• Hot topics
• Common questions answered