The aim of this study was to review and compare melanomas referred by general practitioners and melanomas identified at specialist clinics. The medical records relating to 113 primary melanomas excised at Waikato Hospital (a specialist regional base hospital) during 2002 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-seven melanomas (41%) were detected when patients attended specialist clinics (mainly plastic surgery and dermatology), and 66 melanomas (59%) were specifically referred by general practitioners. The melanomas detected at specialist clinics had a lower mean Breslow thickness than those referred by general practitioners (0.57 mm compared with 1.45 mm). Patients referred by general practitioners waited a mean of 26.5 days (range 0-94 days) for first specialist assessment. Following specialist assessment, patients waited a mean of 24.2 days (0-81 days) before excision biopsy.