Health Minister Dr David Clark says the latest suicide figures are a sad reminder of the scale of the long-term mental health challenges facing the nation.
Provisional suicide data for the 2018/19 year released by the chief coroner shows 685 people are believed to have taken their lives.
Dr Clark says announcements about a Suicide Prevention Office and a new national Suicide Prevention Strategy will be made in the coming weeks.
Budget 2019 included a $1.9 billion for mental health and addiction – including $455 million to create new frontline services and $40 million for suicide prevention.
It also includes a national fund to provide free counselling for those bereaved by suicide, an expanded family and whanau suicide prevention information service, and tailored Maori and Pacific suicide prevention initiatives.
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