As per data published by the Ministry of Health and the National Health Board, the number of deaths due to cancer was higher in Northland, central North Island and Otago than the rest of New Zealand. Northland, Lakes and Bay of Plenty also had cancer rates significantly above the national average.

Canterbury had higher rates of people suffering from cancer but the death rates were low in the region in comparison with the national standards. Since 1998, the number of cancer patients had increased by 22%, the population figures fell from 351.4 per 100,000 populations to 344.0.

As per the cancer programme national clinical Director John Childs, the statistics revealed that the authorities need focus on the population structure in different areas. Cancer is believed to be the main cause for deaths in New Zealand which had reached to 29%.

Prostate cancer is believed to be the most common cancer found in the people of New Zealand, the next two commonly found cancers were of breast and colorectal. Lung cancer surpassed the counting all the cancers, it was found in maximum number of people contracted with cancer. Counties Manukau, Capital and Coast, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Otago and Southland DHBs had registration rates that were significantly lower than the national rate.