Suicides in NZ drop for third year on end

(32). While Pacific populations had slightly increased rates, Asian population saw a significant drop in rates from 6.1 per 100,000 in 2020-21 (51 deaths).

Taira¯whiti District had the highest rate at 29.8 per 100,000 – up from 20.6 from the previous period.

Whanganui, Nelson Marlborough and Midcentral also recorded increased rates. However, most health district areas continued to record decreases. Men accounted for threequarters (74.5%) of the number of suspected suicides in 2021-22.

The rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths for males was 14.9 per 100,000 males, for females it was 5.5 per 100,000 females.

Director of the Suicide Prevention Office Matthew Tukaki said they were working hard to ensure a ‘‘significant and sustained’’ reduction in the suicide rate in Aotearoa.

‘‘It is important to remember that, although it is encouraging to see a continued reduction in the suspected suicide rate, we can only start to determine or consider a trend over a five-to-10-year period.

‘‘The work to prevent suicide spans across government agencies, organisations, businesses, schools, communities, and even within wha¯ nau, and this work will continue until we achieve our goal of no suicide in Aotearoa New Zealand.’’