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National | Kaikohe

Native Affairs - Suicide Ride

Every year, more New Zealanders die as a result of suicide than on our roads. In fact the suicide rate can be up to 50 per cent higher than the road toll.

In 2011 Māori youth suicide rate was 2.4 times higher than that of non-Māori youth.

With this in mind a group of motorbike enthusiasts are spreading their anti-suicide message to rangatahi around the motu.

They call themselves “RATS”, Riders Against Teen Suicide.

Our reporter Billie Jo Hohepa Ropiha put on her leathers for a road trip from Kaikohe to Opotiki.