Of all the stories Radio Waatea has covered over the years, none have been more heartbreaking than those involving suicide.
As we conclude our Men’s Health Week series examining the five biggest potentially preventable causes of death among tāne Māori, we turn to a kaupapa that remains deeply personal for many whānau across Aotearoa.
It is also one that is close to the heart of this reporter, having previously served as Chair of Suicide Prevention Australia and later as Chair of New Zealand’s Suicide Prevention Office.
Those experiences revealed a simple but uncomfortable truth: behind every statistic is a whānau forever changed.
A father.
A son.
A brother.
A partner.
A friend.
And while suicide touches every community, the burden falls disproportionately on Māori.
The Numbers We Cannot Ignore
Health New Zealand data shows Māori men continue to experience the highest rates of suspected self-inflicted deaths in the country.
The rate exceeds 28 deaths per 100,000 people, more than double that of non-Māori males.
While public attention often focuses on rangatahi Māori, particularly those aged between 15 and 24, the reality is broader and more complex.
Large numbers of suspected self-inflicted deaths also occur among Māori men aged 25 to 44, often during years when men are raising whānau, building careers and carrying significant financial and social responsibilities.
Mental health advocates say focusing solely on youth risks overlooking thousands of other Māori men who may be struggling in silence.
More Than Individual Circumstances
For decades, suicide was often discussed as an individual problem.
Research now paints a far more complex picture.
Māori researchers, health professionals and community leaders consistently point to the long-term impacts of colonisation, land loss, cultural disruption and systemic inequities as factors contributing to psychological distress.
Poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment and reduced access to healthcare continue to shape health outcomes across generations.
Many experts argue that suicide prevention cannot be separated from wider conversations about social justice, cultural identity and equity.
The issue is not simply about mental illness.
It is also about belonging.
Connection.
Purpose.
Hope.
The Protective Power of Culture
One of the strongest findings emerging from Māori mental health research is the importance of cultural connection.
Whanaungatanga, whakapapa, tikanga and wairuatanga are increasingly recognised as powerful protective factors against suicide.
Research shows Māori who maintain strong cultural identity and meaningful connections to whānau, hapū and iwi often experience greater resilience during periods of hardship.
Mental health leaders say strengthening cultural identity is not simply a cultural aspiration.
It is a health intervention.
That understanding is helping reshape how many services now approach suicide prevention.
Why Men Often Don’t Ask for Help
One of the biggest challenges remains help-seeking behaviour among men.
Traditional expectations around masculinity can make it difficult for many men to express vulnerability or ask for support.
Many grow up believing they should handle problems themselves.
Some fear being judged.
Others worry about becoming a burden.
As a result, many men delay seeking support until they are already in crisis.
Mental health professionals increasingly encourage a different conversation.
Seeking help is not weakness.
It is action.
It is problem-solving.
It is taking responsibility for your wellbeing and the people who care about you.
The Signs We Need to Recognise
Experts say warning signs are often visible before a crisis reaches its most dangerous point.
Someone experiencing suicidal thoughts may talk about wanting to die, feeling trapped, hopeless or becoming a burden to others.
Others may show changes in behaviour.
They may withdraw from friends and whānau, give away valued possessions, begin saying goodbye, increase alcohol or drug use, take unusual risks or experience significant changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
For men in particular, distress may present as anger, irritability, risk-taking behaviour or emotional withdrawal rather than sadness.
Mental health workers say one of the most important skills whānau can learn is recognising when someone is behaving out of character.
Asking the Question
Perhaps one of the most persistent myths about suicide is that asking someone directly about suicide might put the idea in their head.
Research shows the opposite.
Experts say asking directly whether someone is thinking about suicide can provide an opportunity for honest conversation and help reduce feelings of isolation.
Sometimes the most powerful thing anyone can do is listen.
Not fix.
Not solve.
Simply listen.
People experiencing crisis often need connection before they need solutions.
Māori Solutions for Māori Communities
Across Aotearoa, a growing number of Māori-led organisations are reshaping suicide prevention.
Services such as Mahitahi Trust, Te Kaahui Ora and other kaupapa Māori providers focus on holistic models of care that recognise the interconnected nature of physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing.
Programmes such as Le Va’s Mana Akiaki: LifeKeepers equip communities with practical skills to identify distress, have difficult conversations and support those at risk while maintaining cultural integrity and dignity.
These approaches recognise that healing does not occur in isolation.
It occurs through relationships.
Meeting Men Where They Are
Some of the most successful initiatives do not happen in clinics or hospitals.
They happen in workplaces.
Sports clubs.
Barbershops.
Marae.
Fishing trips.
Men’s sheds.
Community groups.
Mental health advocates increasingly recognise that many men find it easier to open up while doing something alongside another person rather than sitting face-to-face in a formal setting.
Those everyday connections matter.
Isolation is one of the strongest predictors of poor mental health.
Connection remains one of the strongest protections.
A Responsibility Shared by All of Us
Suicide prevention is often discussed as the responsibility of mental health services.
The reality is much broader.
Whānau, friends, employers, coaches, teachers, kaumātua and community leaders all have a role to play.
Creating environments where men feel safe to speak honestly about their struggles can save lives.
Checking in with someone.
Making a phone call.
Sending a text.
Inviting someone for a walk.
Asking a second time when “I’m fine” doesn’t sound convincing.
These small actions matter more than many people realise.
The Final Message
Over the past week, Radio Waatea has examined heart disease, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, diabetes and suicide.
Each of these issues presents serious challenges for tāne Māori.
Yet there is a common thread running through every one of them.
Early intervention saves lives.
Whether it is getting a heart check, quitting smoking, completing a bowel screening test, monitoring blood sugar levels or reaching out for mental health support, taking action early creates the greatest opportunity for change.
Suicide remains one of the most difficult conversations in Māori health.
But silence has never saved a life.
Connection does.
If someone you know is struggling, reach out.
If you are struggling, reach out.
The strongest thing any person can do is let someone know they do not have to carry the burden alone.
Because every life matters.
Every whānau matters.
And every conversation has the potential to save a life.
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email [email protected]
- What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
- Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
