For the third year in a row there has been a year-on-year reduction in suspected suicides, but Māori continue to be disproportionately negatively affected, new figures show.
The Office of the Chief Coroner today released the annual provisional suspected suicide statistics.
In the year to June 30, 538 died by suspected suicide in New Zealand, a rate of 10.2 per 100,000 people. It is down from 607 the year before and 628 in the year to 2020.
The rate is statistically significantly lower than the average rate over the last 13 financial years, and is the third year in a row there has been a year-on-year reduction in suspected suicides.
"I acknowledge, and 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," Deputy Chief Coroner Anna Tutton said.
New evidence shows a strong link between suicide and acute alcohol use. (Source: 1News)
"It is positive to note, however, that the number of suspected deaths by suicide is continuing to fall."
The figures of suspected suicides for Māori continue to be high, with the provisional rate 15.9 per 100,000. For Pasifika it's 9.9 per 100,000 and 3.8 per 100,000 for Asian populations.
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