Suicide numbers have dropped but mental health specialists say continuing high numbers of youth and Maori are alarming .
The Ministry of Health has released figures from 2011 which show 478 people committed suicide, compared to a peak total of 577 in 1998, a fall of 29.8 per cent.
But Professor Max Abbot of the Auckland University of Technology says New Zealand's youth suicide rate is still very high.
He says events such as relationship breakups and abuse are risk factors for young people but reducing the stigma of depression and mental health issues can help prevent suicide.
Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements says New Zealand's youth suicide rate is the second-highest in the OECD.
