PHOTO: MELANOMA NZA spot check of South Islanders has turned up some alarming statistics around skin cancer-related symptoms. Melanoma New Zealand has been travelling the country in its spot check vehicle since 2021. The organisation carried out spot checks at 44 rural locations around the country, about half of them in the South Island. Skin cancer was by far the most common cancer in New Zealand, with eight out of every ten cancers being diagnosed as skin cancer. In June this year Melanoma New Zealand launched its second mobile spot check van, which was made possible thanks to funding from partner FMG and the Lion Foundation.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 22, 2025 16:27 UTC