12. Question No. 12—Mental HealthMARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Matarau—Te Pāti Māori) to the Minister for Mental HealthQuestion No. 12—Mental Health12. MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Matarau—Te Pāti Māori) to the Minister for Mental Health: What is his response to the rate of suspected suicide which according to Te Whatu Ora's data for 2022 is 51.9 per 100000 for Māori males aged 25-44 years compared to 16.4 per 100000 for non-Māori males?Hon CASEY COSTELLO (Associate Minister of Health) on behalf of the Minister for Mental Health: I can respond that any loss of a young life is an unspeakable tragedy. The suicide rates in New Zealand are unacceptably high and disproportionately affect some groups in New Zealand including Māori men. That's why this coalition Government is so focused on improving access to mental health.Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What evidence-based initiatives that specifically address suicide rates is the Minister considering in the next five-year Suicide Prevention Action Plan and how will these address the disparities of suicide rates between Māori and non-Māori?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: The work on the next Suicide Prevention Action Plan has just started to set the direction of priorities and clear owners and accountability for the five-year period. This coalition Government is committed to reducing suicide rates in New Zealand. That's why we've established the first mental health portfolio. As Minister for Mental Health this role will bring a clear focus for mental health and addiction and suicide prevention for all New Zealanders. We're working with our coalition partners to fund front-line services such as Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope charity. This Government is also working to establish the mental health innovation fund to increase access to mental health services in this term of Government.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: What procurement process therefore was used for the I Am Hope trust to receive $6 million of public money?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: I do not have that information to hand. I am sure the Minister will be able to respond in writing.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Therefore has the I Am Hope trust who provide free counselling in schools made a different to the inequity of youth suicide rates between Māori and non-Māori which was 34.1 per 100000 for rangatahi Māori compared to 16.9 for non-Māori youth?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: I am unable to provide that specific information but if the member would put it in a written question I am sure the Minister could respond.Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What Māori-specific initiatives is the Minister funding with regard to suicide prevention?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: As I have stated before the coalition Government is committed to reducing suicide rates in New Zealand and better health outcomes for all New Zealanders. This is why we are focused on committing delivering of services close to home and as close to hapū as possible.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Fortunately Māori are New Zealanders which is a good thing. Does the Minister accept therefore—[Interruption] I was purely responding to the all New Zealanders" comment excuse me Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: We're going to do all of that again because there is too much noise. And no little commentary at the start would be most in order.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does the Minister accept that colonisation and racism are a leading contributor to high suicide rates for Māori?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: I cannot speak for the Minister himself but no I don't accept that assertion.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: What is his view on the impacts of statements by Government Ministers that marginalise rangatahi from their whakapapa such as comparing Māori and Pasifika spaces to Apartheid and segregation on the mental health of rangatahi?Hon CASEY COSTELLO: I reject the assertion in that question. I will state again: we've said we will bring healthcare for all New Zealanders closer to home and closer to community. This will serve Māori and non-Māori well.SPEAKER: I'll just make the point too that that last supplementary was quite a distance from the primary which as a supplementary we tend not to do."