Surge in youth suicides

High numbers of youth suicides is concerning authorities after hundreds of people took their own lives last year.

According to the Rotorua coronial region, which encompasses the Bay of Plenty, 51 people took their own lives last year.

The figures were released by Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean yesterday as part of the nation's provisional annual suicide statistics.

Nationally, 547 people took their own lives in the 12 months to June 30 - down 11 on the previous year.

Youth suicide has surged and Maori are over-represented in the grim statistics.

Judge MacLean has called for a national discussion on how to curb the toll.

"The annual number of suicides has remained relatively constant, but our latest figures show some concerning trends,'' Judge MacLean said.

"Significant is the jump in teenage suicide numbers, and the continued rise of Maori suicides, in particular young Maori.''

This is the third year Judge MacLean has publicly released the annual suicide figures.

More people take their own lives each year than die on the nation's roads.

Males made up 74 per cent of all self-inflicted deaths.

A Ministry of Health report released last month, Suicide Facts, found rural communities were at higher risk of suicide than people in urban areas.

The highest rates of rural suicide are seen in adults aged 25 to 44 years.