Canterbury recorded 69 suspected self-inflicted deaths in the year to June, according to provisional figures released by the Coroners Court and Health New Zealand.

A further six deaths were recorded in South Canterbury, which is reported as a separate health district. The figures cover 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

The previous financial year recorded 63 suspected self-inflicted deaths in Canterbury and 10 in South Canterbury.

Health NZ cautions that annual figures can fluctuate substantially, particularly within smaller populations. Longer term trends provide a more useful basis for understanding changes than comparisons between individual years.

The statistics include active coronial cases where a coroner has not yet determined whether the person intended to die by suicide. Some deaths may subsequently be found not to have been suicide, meaning the confirmed figures could be lower.

Nationally, 602 suspected self-inflicted deaths were recorded in 2025/26. Although the number and rate were slightly lower than the previous year, the change was not statistically significant.

Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton said: “I acknowledge the impact of these losses on families, friends, and our communities. Behind every one of these deaths is a person who is loved and missed.”

Health NZ National Director of Mental Health and Addiction Enhancement Phil Grady said: “We are committed to learning from every incident to strengthen the prevention, care, and support across the system, including our mental health services.”

“Suicide prevention requires collaboration between health services, whānau, and communities.”

The Suicide Prevention Action Plan for 2025 to 2029 sets out 21 health sector actions and 13 actions involving other government agencies.

Its priorities include improving access to prevention services and support after a death, strengthening the workforce, supporting early intervention and improving understanding of suicide.

Grady said an additional $16 million a year had been committed when the plan was released in June 2025, supplementing the existing annual investment of $20 million in suicide prevention.

Initiatives include Le Va’s LifeKeepers and FLO Pasifika for Life programmes, which help individuals, families and communities recognise risk and respond safely.

The updated suicide data web tool provides information by sex, age, ethnicity and district of residence.

The latest confirmed suicide figures, released in May 2026, cover the 2022 calendar year and are separate from the provisional figures released today.

Where to get help

If you or someone you know needs support:

• Canterbury adult mental health emergency service: Call 0800 920 092, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• 1737: Free call or text 1737 at any time for confidential emotional support.
• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or free text 4357.
• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or free text 234.
• Aoake te Rā: Support for people bereaved by suicide is available on 0800 000 053.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 111.