$3m for Cancer Society

The 2007 Relay for Life fundraiser has raised more than $3 million, the Cancer Society of New Zealand says.

An unprecedented 22,000 participants took to the track in 15 events nationwide for the event - up from last year's 16,000.

"The result of all this is the most successful year ever for the Cancer Society, with the current funds raised already breaking the $3m barrier," society chief executive Dalton Kelly said.

That was up a third from last year's final total, he said.