Suicide

Regional differences

There seemed to be considerable variation in suicide death rates between District Health Boards in the period 2003-2005.

The District Health Boards(1) with the lowest youth suicide death rates in 2003-2005 were Auckland (11.3 deaths per 100,000) and Nelson-Marlborough (13.6 deaths per 100,000). 

Whanganui District Health Board recorded the highest youth suicide death rate (32.9 per 100,000), followed by Southland (31.3 per 100,000).

Suicide death rate per 100,000 young people aged 15 to 24, by District Health Board area, 2003-2005 
District Health Board Rate
Northland 19.5
Waitemata 14.7
Auckland 11.3
Counties-Manukau 23.4
Waikato 18.6
Lakes 18.3
Bay of Plenty 15.1
Tairawhiti -
Hawke's Bay 25.3
Taranaki 17.7
MidCentral 19.2
Whanganui 32.9
Capital & Coast 21.0
Hutt Valley 28.7
Wairarapa -
Nelson-Marlborough 13.6
West Coast -
Canterbury 18.2
South Canterbury -
Otago 14.9
Southland 31.3

Source: Ministry of Health, New Zealand Health Information Service.  This data should be interpreted with caution as rates are based on small numbers of events.  Where there were fewer than five youth suicides over the three-year period 2003-2005, no rate has been calculated.  2005 data is provisional.

Notes

1. Suicide data is collected by District Health Board area and is not directly comparable to Regional Council and Territorial Local Authority data.