Whanau Ora social policy director Di Grennell says it's very easy for Maori to become overwhelmed by the pain and complexity of suicide.
Latest statistics show that whereas the overall rate of suicide in New Zealand dropped between 1996 and 2010, the rate for Maori stayed the same.
Di Grennell said if there's going to be a reduction in the number of suicides by whanau, then the conversation about ways to prevent Maori taking their own lives needs to be very broad.
She said there is a context in which suicide prevention discussions currently sit, but they need to take into account everything from employment, to education, as well as the economy and the community, to ensure that all whanau benefit and feel protected.
