The aim of this study is to determine regional differences in suicide with special attention to inpatient and prisoners. Of 2019 suicides between 1984 and 1988 the subjects were ususally male and hanging was the commonest method of achieving death. Northland-Auckland had the highest regional suicide rate ant the highest prison siuicide rate; and Wellington-Wairarapa had the lowest regional suicide rate, the lowest prison suicide rate but the highest inpatient suicide rate. (23 refs.)