Hato Hone St John is calling on New Zealanders to come together on 25 June and help raise $2 million in just 24 hours during Giving Day, part of its Light the Way Annual Appeal.
For one day only, every donation made between 6am Thursday 25 June and 6am Friday 26 June will be matched by a small group of generous private and corporate supporters, doubling the impact of every contribution.
This year Giving Day is about making sure ambulance crews are looked after while on the job so they are ready to respond to kiwis who need care. In the past year alone, Hato Hone St John crews responded to nearly 700,000 emergencies, travelling millions of kilometres to help New Zealanders in their moments of greatest need.
There are some things most New Zealanders expect in any workplace: a roof that keeps out the rain, a kitchen big enough to make a cup of tea, room for essential equipment, and a space to sit with colleagues after a difficult day. But for some ambulance crews across Aotearoa, even those basics are not always guaranteed.
As demand for emergency services continues to rise, Hato Hone St John says many ambulance stations around the country are no longer fit for purpose, impacting frontline crews responding to life-threatening emergencies every day.
“Ambulance stations are far more than just buildings,” says Rosanne Shaw, Hato Hone St John General Manager Ambulance Operations.
“They are the home base for our crews - the place they prepare, reset, debrief and respond from, often showing up for us in our toughest moments imaginable.
“Right now, many of those spaces simply aren’t keeping pace with the communities they serve.”
Across New Zealand, demand for Hato Hone St John services has surged over the past decade, driven by population growth, an ageing population, and communities with increasingly diverse health needs.
At the same time as Aotearoa New Zealand is changing, many stations are ageing, some are over 30 years old, too small and not built to deliver today’s frontline emergency operations. In some communities, ambulances are forced to park outdoors or on the roadside because stations lack the capacity to safely house expanding fleet.
Funds raised through the 2026 Light the Way Appeal will support the rebuild and major repair of 10 ambulance stations in communities where crews are working from substandard facilities no longer fit for purpose. See the stations around the country which are at the heart of this year’s appeal in the graphic.
As part of the nationwide appeal, on 25 June communities across the country will take part in local fundraising activities to support frontline crews and ambulance station upgrades.
“Aotearoa relies on our crews to be there when it matters most,” says Leanne Tiscornia, Hato Hone St John General Manager, Fundraising.
“No ambulance response happens in isolation.
“Behind every callout is a wider team of volunteers, supporters, donors and communities helping make that response possible.
"We may be a small country, but New Zealanders have always achieved extraordinary things when we come together. Giving Day is an opportunity to do just that, helping provide the stations our crews need and ensuring our communities remain strong and connected."
To donate or learn more, visit: lighttheway.org.nz.
ENDS
About Hato Hone St John:
- Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of people in New Zealand across 97 percent of the country.
- Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid staff and volunteers.
- Along with the emergency ambulance service, Hato Hone St John operates a significant number of community health programmes and other activities which help build community resilience. They include Waka Ora Health Shuttles, ASB Caring Caller, St John Youth, and St John in Schools.
- Hato Hone St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm services, first aid training, and operates retail stores across the country.
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
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