Waihī residents will now see ambulance crews and Community Health volunteers working out of the newly built Hato Hone ki Waihīhī (St John Waihī) ambulance station, following a blessing of the property.
In the early hours of 23 August, Hato Hone St John employees, volunteers and local iwi me te whānau whānui came together at 21 Johnston Street to mark the operational opening of Waihī station – ahead of a community opening planned for November.
The blessing included the gifting of the name Hato Hone ki Waihīhī by local iwi representatives.
Known as Waihī today, the town’s name was shortened over time from Waihīhī. Given Hato Hone St John’s long-standing history with the community, the name Hato Hone ki Waihīhī maintains a connection between the past, present, and future.
The event formalities also included a blessing of three Mauri stones, which have been gifted the name Te Mauri o Waihīhī.
“In te ao Māori, blessing a new building clears the spiritual energy of the space, acknowledges the land and tīpuna, and ensures safety and wellbeing to those who use it. It restores balance (tapu/noa), provides protection, and connects people to welcome the whare into use,” Cam Rota, Hato Hone St John National Māori Health & Equity Lead – Ambulance Services, explains.
The original Waihī ambulance station, which was built during the 1970s, was ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose. It was taken down at the end of 2023 to make way for a new “home away from home” for local ambulance crews. Waihī ambulance operations temporarily relocated to 32 Hazard Street during the vital rebuild.
The new facility was supported by generous donations from the Waihī community and the general public across New Zealand. Most recently, funds were raised during Hato Hone St John’s 2024 and 2025 “Light the Way” Annual Appeal and a “111 Challenge” that saw donors commit to an activity, such as cycling 111 kms or baking 111 cupcakes.
Julia Te Huia, Hato Hone St John Group Operations Manager – Coromandel South, is incredibly grateful to have achieved their end goal.
“The support that we have received throughout this project has been amazing and we are truly thankful. This includes the Gatland family, who provided our temporary station and went above and beyond to accommodate us, and the support, donations, and hours put in by our past and present area committees, volunteers, staff and managers over the past 15 to 20 years.
“We now have sunlight beaming in with no bars on the windows and no more leaking during wet and windy weather. This building provides our hardworking crews with a comfortable place to rest, recharge, and study – which all benefits our communities.”
The new station will also be a space for the local Hato Hone St John Area Committee members and the volunteer-led Waka Ora Health Shuttle community service.
Kris Purden, Hato Hone St John Waihī Area Committee Chairperson, says her team has been looking forward to moving in and collaborating in one unified space.
“We are so pleased to see the new station completed after many years of fundraising. It has been a primary focus for us, and for the Area Committees before us.
“Knowing how difficult shifts are at times for our frontline teams, it is rewarding to see that they now have a safe, healthy, and modern base to return to. Our Area Committee works hard to support both ambulance personnel and community health volunteers in Waihī and will continue to do so.”
Hato Hone ki Waihīhī will host a community day on 1 November where its doors will be open to the public. This event will give donors, supporters, whānau, and the people of Waihī the opportunity to meet their local Hato Hone St John team and tour the station (more details to come).
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team