Maori leaders will meet in Wellington next week to inspire new approaches to suicide prevention.
Recently-released Ministry of Health figures show a drop in New Zealand's suicide rates, but reveal continued high rates for youth and Maori.
The 15 to 24 age group for both and females is the second highest in the OECD, with Maori suicide rates 2.4 times higher.
University of Otago Wellington Maori Public Health lecturer and researcher, Keri Lawson-Te Aho, says the total Maori suicide rate 1.8 times higher.
She says the importance of building whanau resilience and capacity and recognising the integrity of whanau and cultural values and identity is vital for Maori suicide prevention.
Other key speakers at the symposium include the Govenor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, the Minister for Whanau Ora Tariana Turia, members of the Iwi Chairs forum, and youth workers.
