Slight decline in suspected suicides, Maori still hardest hit

Photo: 123RF

The Office of the Chief Coroner has released its annual interim statistics on suspected suicides.

The data covers both suspected and confirmed suicides in New Zealand.

In the year ending June 30, 2024, 617 people died of suspected suicide, or 11.2 per 100,000.

The rate of suspected self-inflicted death in the 2023/24 financial year was 3.6% lower than the average rate of suspected self-inflicted death over the last 15 years.

Overall, however, it was concluded that there had been no change in the suicide rate, as year-to-year fluctuations in rates are common in suicide data.

The interim suspected suicide rate for Māori for the 2023/24 financial year was 16.3 per 100,000 people.

However, in the 25-44 age group, the suspected suicide rate for Māori was 30.2 people per 100,000 compared with a rate of 11.8 for non-Māori.

For the Asian population, the rate was 4.8 per 100,000 inhabitants and this rate also remains unchanged.

The rate per 100,000 Pacific people was 7.7.

“The annual publication of this data helps to better understand where to target suicide prevention efforts and reduce the burden of suicide,” said Ministry of Health acting deputy director-general for clinical community and mental health, Geoff Short.

“We are committed to improving suicide prevention efforts, which includes a whole-of-government approach and, in particular, addressing structural determinants of health.”

Both Short and Chief Coroner Anna Tutton expressed their appreciation for those who have died or experienced suicide.