Communities urged to stay connected as Māori and Pacific suicide rates show ongoing concern

The latest provisional suicide data released by the Chief Coroner and Te Whatu Ora show that while overall Aotearoa rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths has not changed significantly, Māori and Pacific peoples continue to experience the highest levels of distress and loss.

For Māori, the rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths has increased slightly, reminding us that inequities persist. Each life lost represents immeasurable mamae for whānau, hapū and iwi across the motu. This ongoing pattern highlights the urgent need to strengthen Māori-led solutions grounded in whakapapa, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.

Le Va’s Mana Akiaki: LifeKeepers for Māori training supports communities to protect and uplift each other through culturally grounded suicide prevention training and resources – led by Māori, for Māori. When our people are equipped to notice distress, connect and respond in mana-enhancing ways, lives are saved.

For Pacific communities, the data show rates that remain steady. Behind these numbers are families, churches and villages who continue to carry deep grief and also powerful resilience. Le Va’s FLO: Pasifika for Life and Mānava Ola: LifeKeepers for Pacific trainings strengthen the protective factors within Pacific culture – connection, faith and family – that help keep our communities safe.

“These statistics remind us that suicide prevention must continue to be led from within our communities” says Tiana Watkins, Senior Manager at Le Va. 

“To make lasting change, every part of the system – health, education, justice and social service – must work together so that prevention is stitched into the fabric of how we care for our people.”

Learn more about LifeKeepers and FLO: Pasifika for Life.

If you or someone you know is in distress, help is available 24/7: Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor.