This article reviewed suicides in New Zealand prisons (1973-88) & police cells (1980-91) to assess whether Maori people were particularly vulnerable. Among prisoners, risk of suicide for Maori men was very similar to nonMaoris (38.7 Maori & 40.4 nonMaori suicides per 100,000 male prisoners per year). Maori men were 6 times more likely to be in prison. Conclusion: reduction of Maori suicides in custody is most likely to be achieved by tackling the overrepresentation of Maori people in custody.