A skin cancer doctor says good sunscreen is important, but Kiwis need to be having regular checks and wearing the right clothing under New Zealand’s sun to be protected.

It comes after calls for better screening of sunscreen, after nearly half of tested products didn't meet S-P-F levels they advertised.

The latest test of sunscreens by Consumer New Zealand found 9 of 20 products didn't meet the standard on the bottle.

The Skin Institute’s Dr Shona Dalziel told Simon and Phil kiwis in general are a bit hesitant in having regular skin checks and applying sunscreen correctly.

She says we need to get better as New Zealand continues to have one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.

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