The latest suicide statistics released by the Ministry of Justice make for sobering reading.

The number of people who have taken their own lives in New Zealand is the highest since records began, with 668 dying by suicide in the past year.

It was the fourth year in a row that number has increased. It was also the highest number of suspected suicide deaths since the coroner's annual provisional suicide statistics were first recorded in 2007-08.

Figures released on Friday by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall show the number of Māori deaths is also the highest since records began, with 142 deaths from July 2017 to June 2018.

123RF New Zealand’s suicide rate - the number of suicides per 100,000 population - is at the highest level since the statistics were first recorded in 2007 and has increased for the fourth year in a row.

Māori men continue to be disproportionately represented, 97 died by suicide in the past year, 12 per cent more than last year.

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"It's time for us to empower Māori and give them the resources they need to continue to strengthen our whānau and communities," Mental Health Foundation Māori development manager Ellen Norman said.

"We can't ignore the social determinants of suicide, including poverty, violence and the legacy of colonisation. We won't see a shift in our suicide rates until we start to address these factors."

The suicide rate per 100,000 people was 13.67, up from 12.64 the previous year.

Female suicides increased by 44 compared to the year before - a 30 per cent increase to 193. While there were 475 males who died by suicide, 18 more than 2017.

The highest number of suicides was the 20-24-year-old group with 76 deaths. The next highest was the 45-49-year-old group with 67 deaths.

Judge Marshall said suicide continues to be a significant health and social problem in New Zealand.

"It's a tragedy to see the number of self-inflicted deaths increase again" said Marshall.

"We need to keep talking about how to recognise the signs that someone may want to take their own life. If someone expresses thoughts and feelings about suicide, take them seriously."

Part of the role of the Coroner is to make comments or recommendations to help prevent similar deaths in the future.

"Recommendations made in the last year include facilitating better information sharing between health care professionals, ensuring that adequate and up-to-date training in suicide risk assessment is undertaken by counsellors and psychotherapists and making policy changes to how mental health referrals are handled by District Health Boards.

"However, the same comment is often repeated by Coroners. If you think someone is at risk, support them to reach the appropriate services as soon as possible."

Of the DHBs, Auckland had the highest increase of suicide deaths - 73 which was a 70 per cent increase on last years figures.

Mental Health chief Shaun Robinson said the statistics show New Zealand's provisional suicide rate is now the highest it has been this century.

GERARD O'BRIEN Chief Coroner, Judge Deborah Marshall, said suicide continues to be a significant health and social problem in New Zealand.

"There are so many people around New Zealand working to prevent suicide. They're doing great work and they're saving lives every day," Robinson said.

"Lifekeepers is a great example of effective, community-driven solutions to suicide, and there are many more. We must make the effort to learn from the successes of these initiatives and expand their reach to communities across Aotearoa."

In the 1990s New Zealanders made a unified effort to reduce suicide and it worked, he said.

"This major work has lost momentum and we're going backwards. This must be urgently addressed.

"Thousands of people have come through times of feeling suicidal and survived. We need to listen to what worked for them and why," Mr Robinson says.

"As a nation we can turn this tragic situation around, if we listen to what is working, resource it and join the dots into a concerted plan of action.

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF Shaun Robinson, head of Mental Health Foundation, said the last Government dropped the ball and allowed our suicide prevention strategy to lapse without replacement.

"The last Government dropped the ball and allowed our suicide prevention strategy to lapse without replacement.

"This government has instructed the Mental Health Inquiry to come up with a plan. Leadership from government, resources and an action plan are needed urgently. There is no time to waste."

WHERE TO GET HELP:

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.

thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825