UPDATED 4.36PM A social worker in the Far North says people are scared and uncertain about when the next wave of suicides will occur.
Three weeks ago there were five instances of suspected suicide in the Far North, all within a single week.
He Korowai Trust CEO Ricky Houghton said nothing has changed and communities are in crisis.
Mr Houghton said they don't have the power to create jobs, housing, and mental health services so feelings of hopelessness are common.
"People have told me time and time again that they resort to crime. They'd rather go to jail and let the sate feed their family because they can't. They either end up in one of three places. That's jail, hospital or in a cemetery."
Mr Houghton said they now have the added stress of being called the self-murder capital of New Zealand.
Youthline says more than 50,000 people could be affected by suicide in New Zealand every year.
In the South Island, the West Coast lost at least five people to suicide in the past 14 months, with most clustered around the small town of Runanga.
Youthline CEO Stephen Bell said it's so bad, no New Zealand town is spared when it comes to suicide.
He said issues such as poverty need to be addressed but everyone should have emotional first aid training to deal with people with suicidal thoughts.
"Living rough. Not having enough to eat. All those things are part of the ecosystem that we as a community need to engage in. It's not just about government it's actually about all of us.
"It touches everybody. So everybody needs to be prepared to recognise if people in our lives are distressed, to acknowledge and ask the question."
A West Coast woman has begun an online petition to highlight the growing issue of suicide across the region.
At least five people have been lost to suicide on the Coast in the past year, with many centred around the Greymouth area.
Greymouth woman Tracy Stark is holding a march in the town on Saturday to help bring the issue to peoples attention.
"Awareness for suicide. Getting it out in the open. Being there for everybody. Support for people and to honour our loved ones that we've lost."
Chief Coroner figures show 564 people took their own lives in the year 2014/2015.
Northland MP Winston Peters said the government needs to step up and provide economic prosperity in provincial New Zealand, or the appalling suicide rates will continue.
Mr Peters said there are a number of reasons behind the five suspected suicides in Northland, but a common factor is economic despair and a lack of job opportunities, especially for youth.
"Far too little is happening in terms of regional development and sustainability in the provinces, and that has a consequence in a whole lot of areas. It also is showing itself in figures for youth suicide and serious social dislocation."
Mr Peters said support services and regional development need to be stepped up to attract new business.
Are you affected by an issue in this article? Here's where to get help:
Lifeline - 0800 543 354Â
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Depression Helpline  - 0800 111 757
Samaritans  - 0800 726 666Â
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. Text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email [email protected].
0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428 787), Open between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
Healthline - 0800 611 116
For more information about support and services available to you, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 during office hours or email [email protected]
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