October 2010 had the highest figures with 11 people committing suicide throughout the month followed by April with five recorded suicides.
Judge MacLean said the figures proved past actions were not lowering the suicide toll.
"The suicide toll is a really concerning commentary on our society and ... anything we can do to aid more accurate information can only be for the better.
"I have suggested that there may be room for a gentle opening up of the restrictions on media reporting of suicide but we need to consider all viewpoints, especially those of families, so we can make informed decisions."
Under The Coroners Act 1988 media cannot print any details of a "self-inflicted death" until a coroner's inquest has been completed.
Ministry of Health's Suicide and the Media guidelines stated media must take care not to "glorify" suicide and methods should not be described to prevent "copycat" suicides.
Rotorua woman Sarah Coffin, who lost her brother Abe to suicide, said she believed it should be talked about.
"My children know they had an uncle and my oldest knows how he died. I'm not trying to glamourise suicide, I'm trying to make sure they know if they ever feel like that they can speak out."
"It's a real issue that needs to be talked about. People shouldn't worry about copycat suicides, they should worry about young people committing suicide because they don't understand the effects."
Mrs Coffin, 33, decided to share her story with The Daily Post after she heard the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Trust was setting up a support group in Rotorua.
Her brother Abe was 18 when he took his own life in 1994. She was 16 when she found his body.
She said there was a desperate need for a local support group because young people did not realise the "finality" of suicide.
"Every time I hear a story about someone committing suicide I think we take so much time to think about buying a house or getting a loan and young people don't take enough time to consider the ripple effect committing suicide has on a community.
"Nine times out of 10 I believe youth suicides are an impulse decision. A lot of people who have lost siblings or friends to suicide have said the same thing to me."
She did not want to trivialise the issues youth faced but said she believed if Abe knew how his death would impact family and the community he would not have gone through with it.
"He made one mistake but that mistake was fatal."
New Zealand Suicide Prevention Trust representative Jack Gielen said they aimed to have a support group and prevention programme set up in Rotorua this month.
"There's a real need for a group here. We have a strong focus on putting lifelines and support paths in place in Rotorua."
"When I was in Rotorua I found six people in one day who had lost loved ones to suicide."
The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Trust runs the Rainbow Ribbon suicide prevention programme designed to help people work through stages of grief, trauma and sadness. Mr Gielen said people who were considering suicide or showed signs of suicidal tendencies would be paired with a buddy to help them work towards acceptance and eventual recovery.
The support group and Rainbow Ribbon programme would be a free alternative for people feeling "low".
"Not everyone has $100 to see a counsellor or doctor," said Mr Gielen.
The group will also be open to people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
For information about the trust's services and programmes phone Jack Gielen (07) 859 2939.
COUNSELLING
Lifelink/Youthline - (07) 348 0567
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Kidsline - 0800 KIDSLINE (543754)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Youthline - 0800 376 633
What's Up (for youth) - 0800 WHATSUP (92878)
Growing Through Grief - (07) 350 3384
2010 SUICIDES:
Rotorua: 11
Tauranga: 11
Kawerau: 3
Taupo: 3
Mt Maunganui: 2
Te Puke: 2
Minginui: 1
Papamoa: 1
Whakatane: 1