NZ: Interesting insight into Kiwis' sun smarts

We’re constantly being reminded about the importance of sun protection, but new research released by has found 78 per cent of New Zealanders believe they need to be more sun smart.

But while there might be room for improvement with our sunscreen application, we’re happy to pass on our knowledge, with 60 per cent of Australians and Kiwis reminding someone they know to be sun-safe, 54 per cent helping apply sunscreen to a child, and 46 per cent offering a known person some sun protection advice.

Proving to be a caring bunch, the research found 62 per cent of New Zealanders have felt concerned about others suffering in the sun and 93 per cent of Kiwis have offered to help. It was identified that New Zealanders and Australians care most about an adult family member (50 per cent) suffering in the sun, followed by teenagers (43 per cent), babies and children (30 per cent) and unknown adults (29 per cent).

Despite this concern, New Zealanders and Australians are less likely to be helpful when it comes to strangers - just 14 per cent have given a tourist sun protection advice or assistance, 13 per cent reminded a stranger about sun safety, and 10 per cent have helped apply sunscreen to someone they didn’t know. It’s not all bad news though, 41 per cent said they would be happy to apply sunscreen to a stranger in need.

To help raise awareness about the importance of sun protection this summer, NIVEA Sun has teamed up with American artist Thomas Leveritt to produce a new educational film. The film uses an ultraviolet camera to demonstrate how much sunscreen is needed to ensure a person is adequately protected from the sun.

“I expected Australians and Kiwis to be much more clued up about the sun than Americans or Brits. Which they seem to be! But being able to actually see the sun damage changed that message from an intellectual one to an emotional one. The emotions unleashed when people see themselves in ultraviolet are so interesting; the unselfconscious glee, surprise or fascination is almost like an undiscovered tribe seeing themselves in the mirror for the first time. And people get it, pretty much straight away,” says Leveritt.

NIVEA skincare expert Ken Lee adds: “This summer, NIVEA is encouraging people to take care of themselves and one another when outside in the sunshine by joining the NIVEA SUN Summer Resolution. This is a simple pledge to take care of ourselves in the sun, and to give care to each other. It’s so easy to spread the message, just share the new film from NIVEA and follow the NIVEA Sun Safe Code to protect your skin and enjoy the sun safely this summer.”

The YouTube link to share the video is: http://youtu.be/AnUIod4tX98.