Skin cancer is estimated to cost the New Zealand health system in excess of $57 million per annum.
New Zealand has the highest incidence rate for melanoma in the world.
More than 300 New Zealanders die every year from skin cancer (269 of these from melanoma).
Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer registration site for men and third for women and was the most common cancer in men 25 to 44 years old and in women 15 to 24 years old (2004 data - most recent data available).
Skin cancer cases in New Zealand total about 67,000 compared to a total of 16,000 for all other new cancer registrations.
It has been estimated that, for every death from skin cancer, an average of 17.4 potential years of life are lost.
On a positive note, melanoma rates for people under 40 appear to be leveling off, implying that sun safety programmes are beginning to work.
Also check out the Research and Statistics section.