During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in New Zealand and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. We have a chat with New Zealand manager of Movember, Rob Dunne.

This year's theme is a nod to the country gentleman, do you think that men secretly desire to look like a rugged Tom Selleck? 

Very much so and even though they often don’t admit it, I think the Wives and girlfriends do as well. It's only when the Ray Bans, Hawaii shirt, and short shorts come out that lines are crossed!

There's growing a Mo, but how else can people get involved with Movember this year? 

Movember is all about creating awareness and raising funds for Men’s Health. Growing a Mo turns men into walking billboards for the month but if the boss or wife has really put the foot down there is still a huge amount you can do to help. Use Movember as the month when you think about your health and get to the doctor for a check-up, if you have a history in the family make sure your father, brother, uncle are going as well, donate to any Mo Bro or Sista who is registered and just encourage them in general as it's an awesome commitment our Mo community makes every year.   

Is there a certain style of Mo you personally hope to grow? 

Does your wife like you with a Tash? I have been studying the Movember style guide at www.movember.com and have decided this year to run with the box car, it could be because that is all I can manage but Movember doesn’t discriminate, we love Mo’s of all shapes and sizes.

Who are the beneficiaries and how do they benefit from Movember? 

Movember has two fantastic beneficiary partners in the Cancer Society and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. The funds raised are split 50/50 between the two and go to funding programmes in line with Movember’s goal of changing the face of Men’s Health. All the programmes we fund can be seen at http://nz.movember.com/about/

This is your first year managing Movember New Zealand, do you feel huge responsibility to make it bigger and better than previous years? 

So far I have loved the role and every Mo Bro or Sista I have been to see is so passionate about the Movember which is infectious. I really want to have a great campaign this year and so far I think we are on track, the key is getting everyone who grows a Mo to actually get on www.movember.com register and donate, last year over 10,000 people were registered for Movember but I am sure there would have been 4 or 5 times that amount with Mo’s out and about.

What's your background? Have you always been into working in jobs with humanitarian goals? 

I have always been in involved in sport and event management roles before Movember. I lost both my grandfathers to Cancer and it made me realise that men need to take their health a lot more seriously and Movember is an amazing vehicle to get that message out there. What I love about what Movember does is that we encourage people to support a great cause by having fun. Who would have thought growing a Mo could save a Bro, but it can and it does.