30 May 2025

Researchers disputing UNICEF NZ youth suicide statistics

From Checkpoint, 5:16 pm on 30 May 2025

After one of the most respected child advocacy agencies in the world ranked New Zealand the lowest out of 36 countries for youth mental health, the appalling figure was widely quoted. The report on global child wellbeing also highlights New Zealand as having the worst rate of youth suicide. But two Auckland University researchers are disputing that figure, and now a former UNICEF Aotearoa employee is backing their claims. Davina Zimmer reports.