Who's involved?
The prevention of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety in New Zealand is lead by the Health Sponsorship Council (HSC) and the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
Others working to prevent skin cancer include:
- Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
- public health units within District Health Boards
- general practitioners
- dermatologists
- researchers.
The control of skin cancer addresses four key areas:
- prevention (sun safety)
- detection
- diagnosis and treatment
- research, evaluation and surveillance.
SunSmart is the national brand for the promotion of sun safety. The HSC administers this website, leads the SunSmart mass media campaign, and contributes to other sun safety promotion activities and partnerships.
Sun safety promotion in New Zealand has two main sources of funding. The Government funds the work of the HSC and public health units. The Cancer Society of New Zealand is funded through fundraising, donations and bequests.
Contact Wayde Beckman, SunSmart Programme Manager, by email or phone 04 472 5777.
Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee Strategic Framework 2008-2011
The Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee aims to reduce the proportion of New Zealanders who develop, and die from, skin cancer.
The Committee is a group of experts and key stakeholders who meet every three years to reflect on the previous three year’s work, and develop and identify the strategic direction for the next three years. They last met in April 2007 and the strategic framework is the result of that meeting.
This framework is consistent with the National Cancer Control Strategy and is intended to encourage coordination in New Zealand work on skin cancer control and contribute to best outcomes. It is intended to be a guide for action, rather than a blueprint.
Download Strategic Framework (PDF, 200KB)