Ma¯ori get together to fight suicide
Southland’s Ma¯ori community is calling on its people to rise up and work together to help prevent suicide.
More than 600 Kiwis took their own lives in the 2016-17 year, up from 579 the previous year, with Ma¯ori overrepresented in the suicide statistics.
The coroner’s provisional results reveal there were 52 suicides in the Southern District Health Board region in the 12 months to the middle of this year, up from 43 the previous year.
In a bid to curb the worrying trend, eight groups in Southland will, for the second year running, sign an accord on Sunday to connect together and address the issue of suicide in the region.
Invercargill’s Nga Hau e Wha Marae chairman Daniel Tawaroa said wha¯nau in the south were wanting to do some- thing to help prevent suicide. The whole community could help, he said.
‘‘We are asking all people, all communities to rise up and speak up.
‘‘Shout out when you aren’t feeling so hot, shout out when you can give someone a hand.’’
Suicide statistics were horrendous but told just one part of the story, Tawaroa said.
‘‘Sometimes you can get bogged down in despair but when you look to each other you can identify [ways forward] and address issues you are experiencing.’’
The eight groups to sign the accord would meet at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club on Sunday afternoon for kapa haka and music.
It will be the first of several art and sporting events the groups will have in the next year, with the aim to support each other and support those needing help.
The groups would also be offered suicide prevention training during the year.
Nga Kete Ma¯ori public health spokeswoman Leoma Tawaroa said the groups were brave to stand up and come together to fight suicide.
‘‘We are stronger together ... we encourage the culture of looking after each other and keeping each other safe.’’
The signing of the accord was based on the goodwill of the groups connecting with each other and having the common goal of preventing suicide.
Cedric Blair, who was representing Invercargill-based iwi group Nga Puhi nui Tonu, said they were part of the accord to support the cause and reunite their iwi.
Dawn Wybrow, of Te Roopu Kaumatua o Murihiku, said more people were taking their own lives and her group was in the accord to help.
‘‘We believe in kaupapa and supporting the wha¯nau to connect.’’
Hani Light, of Waikato Wha¯nau ki roto o Murihiku, said a great effort was needed to prevent suicide in the region.
‘‘When you come together and be connected you are a vehicle for people to come to.’’