There's calls for Kiwis to double down on their sun protection this Summer

The most recent Ministry of Health data shows in 2019, 503 people died of skin cancer in New Zealand -- 151 more than the road toll that year.

Of those deaths -- 328 were from melanoma and 175 were from other skin cancers.

Specialist Dermatologist Dr Juber Hafiji says there's some methods people can take to keep safe over the coming months.

He says holiday makers should wear high SPF rated sunscreen -- putting it on 30 minutes before going outside -- and wear a wide brim hat.