There are calls for the Health Minister to resign over the country's high suicide rates.
Provisional statistics released by the Ministry of Health this week found 553 people took their own lives in 2016.
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Matthew Tukaki, who is a board member for Suicide Prevention Australia and currently executive director for the New Zealand Māori Council, told Newshub David Clark needs to go.
"The only reason he's staying in there is because there's nobody else better to do the job. Now if one minister can't handle the jandal then they go and find another head somewhere else.
"Maybe it is time to split the portfolio."
Dr Clark was not actually the minister in 2016.
Three times as many men died by suicide than women in 2016. Tukaki said more specialised services are needed, including in areas like small business or rural communities.
But what he's most interested in is a new Suicide Prevention Strategy, New Zealand's last one ended three years ago and still hasn't been replaced.
"We had a draft suicide prevention strategy in 2016. We're now in a situation three years later where there is still no national suicide prevention strategy."
A draft document was released to the public on April 12, 2017. Consultation on the plan closed on June 26, 2017.
Stuff reports the plan was put on ice before the 2017 election, but a new one titled "Every Life Matters" has been put to stakeholders for consultation.
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
This story was amended on July 12 to make it clear David Clark was not the Minister of Health in 2016, when the statistics were collected. Newshub apologises to the minister for the omission.
Newshub.
