Cancer Society

What Cancer Society does

Cancer Society of New Zealand (legal entity: Cancer Society of New Zealand; registered charity CC30617) is a non-profit organisation founded circa 1901, headquartered in Wellington, that provides cancer-related information, support services, health promotion, and research funding to New Zealanders. The organisation delivers a comprehensive suite of free support services via 32 regional offices across the country, including a nurse-staffed Cancer Information Helpline (0800 226 237), one-on-one support, psychology and counselling, volunteer-driven transport to treatment (750,526 km annually), free accommodation (notably Lions Lodge in Hamilton, providing 46,639 bed nights annually), support groups, relaxation and mindfulness programmes, and financial assistance guidance. It also funds cancer research through National Research Grants (over $1M annually) and dedicated Māori Cancer Researcher Awards, and runs prevention programmes (SunSmart, Smokefree) plus cancer screening awareness.

The organisation is community-funded rather than commercially funded: revenue streams comprise individual donations (one-time and monthly via the Signature Programme), event-based fundraising (Daffodil Day, Relay For Life, Longest Day Golf Tournament), legacy gifts and bequests (Circle of Hope), workplace/payroll giving, and corporate sponsorship — most notably ANZ as Principal Sponsor of Daffodil Day for over 30 years. Distribution is multi-channel: direct service delivery through regional offices, health professional referral pathways, online donations via cancer.org.nz, and door-to-door/telephone fundraising. Partners span Te Aho o Te Kahu (Cancer Control Agency), Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, the University of Otago (research collaboration), and over 90 Lions Clubs (Districts 202L/202K) funding Lions Lodge operations. Strategic emphasis areas include Māori cancer equity (Kia ora - E te iwi programme, Equity Charter) and advocacy, evidenced by a 2026 Election Manifesto and active position statements.

Name

Cancer Society

Legal name

Cancer Society of New Zealand

Website

https://cancer.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cancer Society of New Zealand is a registered charity providing free cancer information, support services, research funding, and health promotion across 32 regional offices, funded by donations, fundraising events, and corporate sponsorship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Patient transport services
• Cancer research funding
• Cancer prevention programs
• Charitable fundraising campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices32 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue from charitable donations including one-time gifts, regular monthly giving (Signature Programme), event-based fundraising (Daffodil Day, Relay For Life, Longest Day Golf Tournament), and workplace giving through payroll deduction.
2. Legacy Gifts and Bequests: Gifts in wills and bequests from supporters who choose to leave life-changing gifts to support future cancer research and services.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Major sponsorship from ANZ (over 30-year relationship) and various corporate sponsors for events and programmes.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Cancer Society of New Zealand provides free cancer-related support services to patients, families/whānau, and bereaved individuals through a national helpline, counselling, volunteer transport, accommodation, and support groups. It funds cancer research via national grants and Māori Cancer Researcher Awards, runs prevention programmes (SunSmart, Smokefree, screening promotion), and sustains operations through donations, bequests, event fundraising (Daffodil Day, Relay For Life), and corporate sponsorship. All services are delivered free of charge to recipients and funded entirely by charitable giving.

Product overview

Cancer Society NZ operates as a charitable organization offering a comprehensive suite of cancer support services rather than a unified technology product. The organization provides direct patient support through its Cancer Helpline, one-on-one support services, psychology and counselling, transport to treatment, and accommodation at Lions Lodge facilities. Prevention programmes include SunSmart and Smokefree initiatives, while research is advanced through national and Māori cancer researcher awards. Fundraising campaigns such as Daffodil Day and Relay For Life support operations, with donor programmes including regular giving (Signature Programme) and legacy bequests. The organization maintains a national network of 35+ local offices across New Zealand and sells sun safety products through a dedicated sunscreen website. Cancer information is provided through educational resources, downloadable materials, and community cancer stories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Daffodil Day: The flagship annual fundraising campaign of the Cancer Society, celebrating 30+ years in 2020.
• SunSmart
• Lions Lodge
• Margaret Stewart House
• Circle of Hope

Products and services

• Cancer Helpline Free telephone helpline (0800 226 237) staffed by information nurses providing cancer information, support, and guidance to patients, families, and whānau across New Zealand.
• One-on-One Support Individual support connecting cancer patients with experienced navigators who provide practical advice, emotional support, and connections to community services.
• Psychology and Counselling Free counselling and psychological services for people with cancer and their family/whānau to help cope with the emotional impact of diagnosis and treatment.
• Transport to Treatment Volunteer driver services transporting cancer patients to and from medical appointments and treatment sessions, with 750,526 kilometers driven annually across New Zealand.
• Cancer Society's Lions Lodge Hamilton Free accommodation facility near Waikato Regional Cancer Centre providing king-single ensuite bedrooms, meals, transport shuttle, and support services for cancer patients receiving treatment, accommodating approximately 700 people annually.
• Support Groups Cancer support groups connecting patients and survivors with others who share similar experiences for mutual support and shared learning.
• Relaxation and Mindfulness Therapeutic relaxation services including massage and mindfulness programs to help ease the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment.
• Financial Assistance and National Travel Assistance Programme Programs helping cancer patients manage the financial impacts of cancer including financial sorting guidance, benefits assistance, and the government-supported National Travel Assistance Programme for patients in rural and remote areas.
• Cancer Research Grants National and regional research grant programs funding cancer research projects, with over $1 million in research grants awarded annually to advance cancer care and treatment.
• Māori Cancer Researcher Awards Awards supporting Māori researchers in cancer research, combining mātauranga Māori with cutting-edge science to improve outcomes for whānau Māori.
• Cancer Information Resources Comprehensive cancer information covering types of cancer, treatment options (chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted treatments), side effects, living with cancer, and reducing cancer risk, available in multiple languages.
• SunSmart Programme National skin cancer prevention program promoting sun safety behaviors, UV protection, and regular skin checks to reduce skin cancer risk among New Zealanders.
• Smokefree Programme Tobacco cessation and smoking prevention program helping New Zealanders quit smoking to reduce cancer risk.
• Cancer Screening Support Programs promoting early detection through breast screening, bowel screening, and cervical screening to identify cancer at earlier, more treatable stages.
• Daffodil Day Annual flagship fundraising campaign celebrating 30 years in 2020, involving community donations, volunteer efforts, and corporate partnerships to support cancer services and research.
• Relay For Life Community fundraising event bringing together cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and supporters for overnight relay walks to raise funds and celebrate survivors.
• Signature Programme (Regular Giving) Monthly giving program allowing donors to contribute regularly to support cancer services, with options for credit card or direct debit payments, recruited via door-to-door and telephone fundraising teams.
• Circle of Hope Legacy/Bequest Programme Planned giving program inviting supporters to include a gift in their Will to the Cancer Society, with the Circle of Hope recognition group for legacy donors.
• Cancer Society Sunscreen Products Sun safety products including sunscreen and sun hats sold through the Cancer Society's dedicated sunscreen website (sunscreen.org.nz).

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,573 people helped by supportive care programmes annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Lions Clubs New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLions Clubs (Districts 202L and 202K) support the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge in Hamilton. Over 90 Lions Clubs across the Waikato/Bay of Plenty district fundraise to support construction and ongoing operations of the Lodge. The Lions Cancer Lodge first opened in 1971.
• Te Aho o Te KahucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with New Zealand's Cancer Control Agency to improve cancer outcomes and coordinate cancer care nationwide.
• Te Whatu Ora | Health New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with New Zealand's national health authority for coordinated cancer care and support services.
• University of WaikatomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, supporting community fundraising efforts.
• Southern Cancer SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner organisation providing cancer support services in the Southern region.
• Taupō Golf ClubmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Longest Day Golf Tournament, providing facilities and support for annual fundraising event. Sponsors include Landmark Homes, Robertson Golf, Jack's Point, Laura Arnold Audiology, Ray White Taupō, House of Travel, Tech Central, Hilton Lake Taupō, The Dunes Driving Range.
• ACLXmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events in Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
• Memory MeadowsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events; memory garden service supporting families.
• Lodge Real EstatemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events in Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
• EVES Real EstatemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events in Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
• Property Brokers RotoruamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of Relay For Life events in Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
• Hamilton City CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRelay For Life lead sponsor.
• Tauranga City CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRelay For Life lead sponsor.
• Rotorua Lakes CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRelay For Life lead sponsor.
• Waipā District CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRelay For Life lead sponsor.
• Fairview MotorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner of Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty.
• University of OtagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration partner for cancer research programmes funded by Cancer Society.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Cancer Society: National Canadian cancer charity delivering research funding, support services, transport, accommodation, and prevention programmes — directly comparable to Cancer Society NZ's integrated offering.
• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's peak national cancer control charity, delivering support services, research funding, prevention programmes, and advocacy across all states. Closest functional analogue to Cancer Society NZ across mission, funding model, and service mix.
• American Cancer Society: US-based voluntary health organisation operating patient support (lodging, transport, helpline), research funding, and prevention programmes — structurally similar to Cancer Society NZ's integrated service model.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK cancer charity focused heavily on practical, emotional, and financial support for patients (nurse helpline, financial guidance, information). Closely mirrors Cancer Society NZ's free support-service-led model.
• Cancer Research UK: The UK's largest cancer charity, combining research funding, health information, and patient support. Comparable in mission breadth (research + support + prevention) and donation-driven revenue model.

Regional players

• Cancer Council Victoria: Australian state-level cancer control charity providing support, prevention, and research programmes. Operates in a different geography but mirrors the regional-division model and service mix of Cancer Society NZ.
• Hospice New Zealand: National body representing NZ hospice services, including palliative and end-of-life care. Overlaps with Cancer Society NZ's serious-illness support remit and shares the NZ charity-funding model and volunteer base.
• Heart Foundation New Zealand: NZ's largest non-government funder of heart research and a provider of community health programmes. Comparable as a national health charity with similar fundraising events and donor base, though different disease focus.

Emerging players

• Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand: NZ-based blood cancer charity offering patient support and research funding. Smaller in scope than Cancer Society NZ but competes for the same disease-specific donor dollars and patient segments in New Zealand.
• Bowel Cancer New Zealand: NZ-focused bowel cancer awareness and patient support charity. Narrower disease scope but directly competes for awareness, screening, and donor mindshare in the NZ cancer space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cancersocietyNZ
• Instagraminstagram.com/cancersocietynewzealand
• Xx.com/cancer_society
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-society-nz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cancer Society