Contrary to claims linking lunar phases to Māori suicide rates, a study analysing two decades of data found no significant correlation between lunar phases and suicide rates for the overall population or for Māori. Data were obtained from the National Coronial Information System and the Ministry of Health for the period 2000 to 2022. The absence of a lunar effect persisted across multivariate analyses that incorporated annual, seasonal and day-of-the-week variations. The study authors stated that further research is warranted to explore potential lunar influences on less severe mental health indicators, and to substantiate claims supporting traditional Māori Maramataka-based treatments.
