8 September 2025
A. Skeptical
[FYI request #32045 email]
Kia ora A.
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-042395 Thank you for your request of 18 August 2025, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1.
The total number of ACC claimants who have died by suicide while their claim was active, or
within 12 months of an ACC claim being active, since 1 January 1980 to the present date.
2.
Of those cases, how many of the claimants:
a. Had an active dispute, review, or appeal with ACC at the time of their death. b. Had one or more declined entitlements (e.g. treatment, weekly compensation, vocational
rehabilitation). c. Had undergone a psychiatric, psychological, or neuropsychological assessment arranged by
ACC. d. Had been subject to an investigation or reassessment process initiated by ACC.
3.
Please provide the data in (1) and (2) broken down by year. 4.
Please confirm whether ACC tracks, records, or reports on claimant deaths (including suicides)
in relation to ACC processes, disputes, or declined entitlements. If so, please provide copies of
any internal reports, reviews, briefings, or summaries prepared since 1980, including any
provided to Ministers or the ACC Board.
5.
Please provide copies of any policies, procedures, or guidelines currently in place (or previously
in place since 1980) for identifying, recording, or responding to risks of claimant suicide or
serious self-harm in the context of ACC claims, disputes, or assessments.
Our response
ACC does not systematically track, record, or report on claimant deaths (including suicides), nor in
relation to ACC processes, disputes, or declined entitlements.
The main records we hold relating to clients who have died are our fatal claim records. ACC provides
cover for a fatal claim when someone has died as a result of an accident. This can include deaths
caused by suicide or willfully self-inflicted injuries.
In cases where we are informed of the cause of death, and it is related to suicide or self-harm, we have
a ‘Willfully self-inflicted’ (WSI) indicator. However, we are unable to provide the specific figures
requested as it would require us to manually review all WSI and Accidental Death claims to identify if
the client was receiving support from ACC when the injury occurred, and if the injury relates to self-
harm or suicide. Therefore, we are refusing questions one to three as the information cannot be made
GOV-042395 Page 1 of 2
available without substantial collation and research. This decision has been made under section 18(f)
of the Act.
In making this decision, we consider that extending our timeframe to respond or charging for the
resources required (as allowed under the Act) would not enable us to grant the requests. This is
because neither of these options would enable us to avoid a significant impact on ACC’s operations.
ACC policies and guidance
Please find attached the following documents relating to risks of claimant suicide or serious self-harm:
• Guidelines for case owners when client shows significant suicidal risk (Internal Page)
• Managing Threat of Self-Harm Calls
• Respond to a Caller Who Has Disclosed Thoughts of Self-harm or Suicide (Internal Page)
• Respond to Threats of Self Harm by a Client
As staff names were not requested, they have been deemed out of the scope of your request and
removed.
If you have any questions about this response, please get in touch You can email me at
[email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you can
also contact the Ombudsman vi
a [email address] or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Ngā mihi
Christopher Johnston
Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement
GOV-042395 Page 2 of 2
