What Movember funds, and why growing a moustache isn't the point
Every November, top lips across New Zealand and Australia get a little hairier. Some of those moustaches are glorious. Most are patchy, a bit awkward and very funny. And that's exactly the point.
A moustache is hard to ignore. It gets you asked, "What's going on with your face?" That question is the opening Movember is built on. The moustache is never the goal. It's the excuse to talk about something most men would rather avoid: their health.
This month our team is getting behind Movember, and I wanted to start by explaining what your support actually funds. Because when you know where the money goes, you realise growing a Mo is the easy part.
What Movember actually funds
Movember has put more than AUD $1.8 billion into men's health work over the past 22 years. It focuses on three areas.
Mental health and suicide prevention. This is where some of the hardest numbers sit. Movember funds programs that help men talk earlier and look out for each other. Ahead of the Game works through sports clubs. Movember Conversations gives practical tips for asking a mate how he's really going.
Prostate cancer. Movember funds research and support for men living with prostate cancer and their partners. Its True North program covers life during and after treatment, including the parts men rarely ask about.
Testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is most common between the ages of 18 and 39 (Te Aho o Te Kahu). That's young men who often don't think health is something to worry about yet. Movember's Know Thy Nuts campaign is about knowing what's normal for your own body.
Movember also runs the Movember Institute of Men's Health, which researches why men's health outcomes lag behind and what actually helps.
Why growing a moustache isn't the point
Movember's 2025 report on men's health in Aotearoa found that two in five men here die before the age of 75 (Scoop, Aug 2025). New Zealand men die almost four years earlier than women, mostly from heart disease, certain cancers and suicide. In Australia it's a similar story, with almost two in five men dying early from causes that are largely preventable.
The figure that stopped me was this one. Three in four New Zealanders who die by suicide are men, and suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 34 (Scoop, Aug 2025). Those are our sons, brothers, partners and mates.
The same report found six in ten men feel their concerns aren't taken seriously by health providers. Nearly two thirds say masculine stereotypes have hurt their health. So the problem isn't only illness. It's men waiting too long, keeping quiet and feeling like asking for help is a weakness.
That's why the moustache matters, and why it isn't the point. It's a 30 day reminder on your face that the conversation is allowed.
What you can do this month
You don't need a moustache to be part of this. Here are a few simple things that make a real difference.
- Book the check you've been putting off. A GP visit, a blood test or a skin check. If you're a man reading this, do it this month. If you love one, nudge him.
- Know what's normal for your body. Changes are easier to notice when you know your baseline. If something feels different, get it looked at early.
- Ask a mate how he's really going. Then ask again. Movember's advice is simple: ask, listen, encourage action and check in later (Movember ALEC guide).
- Move together. A walk, a surf or a bike ride side by side is often where the real conversations happen.
- Back the cause directly. Our team is growing Mos this month and raising money for Movember. You can donate on our team page here: [team page link]. Every dollar goes straight to Movember.
At Homegrown Primal, simplicity is everything. Real food, real conversations, and looking after the foundations before something forces you to. Men's health is no different. Start before you have to.
FAQ
Do I have to grow a moustache to support Movember? No. You can donate, join a challenge like moving for mental health, or simply have the conversation.
Where does the money go? To Movember's work on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Is Homegrown Primal running Movember? No. We're a team supporting Movember with our own fundraising page. Donations go directly to Movember.
How do I start a conversation with a man who won't talk? Keep it low pressure. Do something side by side, like a walk or a drive, and ask an open question. Then listen, and check in again later.
What should I do if I'm worried about my own health? Talk to your GP. If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone now, free call or text 1737 in New Zealand, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia.
