There were 630 suspected suicides in the last financial year, compared to 617 the year before. Photo: Unsplash / Traveler Geek
This story discusses figures relating to suspected suicides.
The rate of suspected suicides has fallen slightly according to the latest report from the Coroner's Court and Health New Zealand.
Latest figures show there were 11.0 suspected self-inflicted deaths per 100,000 people in the last year - that's down 3.1 percent from the average rate of the last 16-years.
However, in actual numbers there were 630 suspected suicides in the last financial year, from 617 the year before.
The Coroners Court and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora said the annual provisional suicide statistics showed no statistically significant changes in the rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths between 2024 and 2025.
Males made up 474 of the deaths and females 156.
Males who are Māori are dying in suspected suicides at a rate of more than twice that of non-Māori.
Māori males had 28.1 suspected self-inflicted deaths per 100,000 people compared to non-Māori males, who had a rate of 14.2 per 100,000 non-Māori male population.
The rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths for Māori females was 8.6 per 100,000 Māori female population equivalent to about 1.7 times that of non-Māori females, who had a rate of 5.1 per 100,000 non-Māori female population.
Over the last year, the difference in rates of suicide between Māori and non-Māori was most notable in the 25-44 years age group.
Health New Zealand national director of mental health and addiction enhancement Phil Grady said more work was needed to improve the country's suicide numbers.
"The statistics reinforce the importance of ongoing suicide prevention efforts and equitable mental health support for all communities," Grady said.
The latest Ministry of Health Suicide Prevention Action Plan has set out 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions to prevent suicide.
Actions include establishing a suicide prevention community fund, rolling out peer support roles in eight hospital emergency departments for people presenting with mental health and addiction needs, and establishing six crisis recovery cafés that will provide more options for people experiencing distress.
He said other initiatives in the plan focused on growing the suicide prevention workforce and equipping communities to support people experiencing suicidal distress.
"Funding to support these actions is growing from $20 million spent each year on suicide prevention, with an additional $16m per year being allocated to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan," Grady said.
Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton said sharing court data with government agencies, the mental health sector and the community assisted in the ongoing work to prevent suicide.
"Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy" she said.
"Suicide is a complex issue, driven by a range of factors, and coroners continue to highlight support services available in the hope that greater awareness will encourage people to seek help for themselves or others struggling with their mental wellbeing.
"I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those who have died as a result of suspected suicide in the past year."
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
- What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
- Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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