Suicide statistics released today show the rate has been stable over recent years, around 13 people in every 100,000.
Between 2003 and 2005 the rate was 13.2, compared with 13.1 between 2002 and 2004.
Compared with the peak of 16.3 between 1996 and 1998, the figures represent a
decrease of about 19 per cent.
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton released the figures at a National Suicide Prevention Symposium in Wellington.
"While it is encouraging to see suicide rates have dropped since the peak in the late 1990s there is no room for complacency," he said.
"Any suicide remains a serious concern and is a tragedy for family and friends."
The figures showed that in 2005, 502 people died by suicide.
Mr Anderton said those who had particularly high rates were people aged between 15 and 44, along with Maori and those living in the most deprived areas of the country.
Men had higher rates than women - for every three male suicides there was one female suicide.
"While fewer Maori people died by suicide in 2005 than in 2004, the three-year moving average rates - a more robust measure of what's happening over time - show the Maori suicide rate has increased by 5.2 per cent from 2002-2004 to 2003-2005," Mr Anderton said.
"I am concerned about the suicide rates among Maori.
"One of three main focuses of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention strategy is to reduce inequalities in suicide and suicidal behaviour."
The statistics also show the number of hospitalisations for intentional self harm has increased.
In 2006, there were 5400 hospitalisations, which was a 7.5 per cent increase on the previous year.
Mr Anderton said it was not known whether this represented an actual increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital or whether it was partially the result of better reporting by district health boards.
- NZPA
