Last Saturday, a suicide prevention Fono, organised by various community health groups, was held in the city, organised in conjunction with several organisations who work for the interests of Pacific youth including the Spirit of Rangatahi Charitable Trust.

While suicide or depression are not topics widely discussed by Pacific families, close to 300 people came together to hear how they could help the young people in the community deal with these issues.

The gathering included members of the Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands, Samoan and Niuean communities in Porirua.

The provisional suicide statistics for Porirua this year stand at nine.