TThis 16th report is a product of the final work programme of the former PMMRC; due to timeframes and data provision delays and limitations, it is a more focused report than its predecessors. However, it retains essential elements to describe and give context to the nature of perinatal and maternal mortalities experienced in Aotearoa for the 2006–2021 monitoring period.

Maternal suicide is discussed on pages 91-2, noting:
"Suicide is a complex issue with many contributing causes. [116] It is devastating for all those personally affected and a tragedy for any community. Maternal suicide continues to be a critical issue in Aotearoa. [117] These deaths need to be considered in the context of suicide within the country as a whole. The total population suicide rates of Aotearoa are in the middle when compared with other Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries; for example, they are higher than in the UK but lower than in Australia. However, Aotearoa has one of the highest youth suicide rates, at approximately twice the OECD average. [118] In 2021, suicide in the total population affected males more than females, women of Māori ethnicity (10.9/100,000) were twice as likely to be affected as the non-Māori female population (4.5/100,000). [119]

Table 5.4 shows that, over the 2006–2021 period, New Zealand European women and birthing people were
approximately 67% less likely to die by suicide than wāhine Māori. We know from research that māmā Māori are younger than New Zealand European women and birthing people and more likely to live in areas of higher deprivation, which also has a correlation with suicide. [120] During the period of pregnancy and up to 42 days after, people usually have input from health care services. Therefore, this is an opportunity for
support and interventions to be offered if risk factors and/or signs of mental health distress present.

In 1999, the WHO recommended additional routine reporting of late maternal deaths to 42 days–12 months postpartum, including suicide, but this is not a requirement in Aotearoa or for this report. Research is under way to explore the later postnatal period in Aotearoa, as a significant mortality burden has been reported in other countries. For example, in the United Kingdom, ~ 80% of maternal deaths from suicide were after 42 days postpartum. [121]"

Access the website for the media release and summary documents. Record #8749

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