Suicide rates were obtained for New Zealand from 1889 to 1988. The overall rate for women has been stable since the 1930s, & the male rate showed marked peaks in the early 1930s & in the 1980s. Analysis of rates by age group revealed that the 1930 male peak was due to increases among the middle-aged & elderly men, & the current peak is due to increases among young men. Possible explanations for fluctuations in suicide rates over the last century are discussed. (22 refs.)