The Māori Council has described the latest suicide statistics as a 'rolling train wreck'. The figures were released officially late on Monday afternoon after the Council broke the Chief Coroner's embargo originally scheduled for tomorrow.
It showed there were 685 suicides in the year to June 30 - 17 more than last year. Māori suicides which were already disproportionately high - they've jumped further, with 169 Māori people dying by suicide in the year to June 30, up 27 from 142 deaths last year.
Executive Director of the Māori Council Matthew Tukaki told Checkpoint this is a national tragedy and there is no national strategy.
He asked where the plan is. Health Minister David Clark joins Lisa Owen with his response.
