Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon is challenging councils across New Zealand to get behind Blue September, urging them to use their community connections to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Waimakariri District Council staff are supporting the campaign and have set up a fundraising page for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.

Gordon is calling on fellow mayors, elected members and council staff to hold an event, wear blue or start conversations about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection.

“Prostate cancer affects families and communities in every part of New Zealand. Most of us will know a father, brother, partner, friend or colleague who has faced it,” he said.

“One in eight New Zealand men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Around 740 kiwi men die from prostate cancer each year. Those figures should make all of us sit up and take notice.”

Gordon said councils were well placed to help get the message into their communities.

“My challenge to councils across the country is to do something blue and help bring this important issue into the open.

“Councils are at the heart of their communities. If we use our collective reach to encourage even one person to talk to their doctor, that conversation could make a life-changing difference.”

The campaign highlights that prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms, and that early diagnosis can provide more treatment options and improve outcomes.

Gordon said Blue September was also an opportunity to make conversations about men’s health more normal.

“Men are not always good at talking about their health or making that appointment. We need to keep reminding the men in our lives that looking after their health is a strength, not something to put off.

“Let’s see how many councils we can turn blue this September and show the men and families affected by prostate cancer that communities throughout New Zealand stand behind them.”

Donations can be made through the Waimakariri District Council Blue September fundraising page.