Hato Hone St John has agreed to a new four-year funding contract with the Government to operate its Emergency Ambulance Service. The new contract includes $258 million in new investment in emergency ambulance services over the next four years.
“The day-to-day costs to run the ambulance service will be fully funded by Health NZ and ACC and patient part-charges by mid-2028, and we will be able to recruit over 220 additional frontline staff, call handlers, dispatchers and supporting clinicians," said Chief Executive Peter Bradley.
"In addition to this, we will be able to expand clinical telephone advice support, implement new health and safety initiatives to support frontline crews, and invest in new digital and data systems, and critical equipment to improve service resilience."
Alongside Health New Zealand and ACC’s commitment, Hato Hone St John will continue to contribute to the Service, including through savings and fundraising for new ambulances, specialist equipment, and ambulance station redevelopments.
"We really welcome and appreciate this investment. This is an important step towards strengthening ambulance services for the communities we serve, while continuing to build on the support and partnership of New Zealanders. Sustainable government funding and ongoing community support are both essential to our success.
"Together, they allow us to deliver high-quality emergency ambulance services, and funds donated by the public can now go further, funding more than 200 new ambulances over the four years, along with critical equipment and ambulance stations.
"The recent severe winter demand peak highlighted the important role we play in supporting the wider health system, and having this funding locked in will allow us to continue to deliver a safe, responsive ambulance service for all New Zealanders."
The new contract will take effect by the end of November and run through to 30 June 2030.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
What does Health NZ/ACC funding cover?
- 220 additional frontline staff, including ambulance officers, call handlers, dispatchers and clinicians, with the first new paramedics and technicians on the road in Auckland before winter 2027.
- Expanded clinical telephone support to help patients access appropriate care.
- Direct investment in ambulance volunteer recruitment and retention, particularly in rural and high-deprivation communities.
- Enhanced frontline safety and wellbeing measures, including upgraded protective equipment and staff training.
- Investment in critical frontline equipment.
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, helping over 500,000 patients every year.
- Hato Hone St John is made up of around 3,500 paid staff and over 7,000 volunteers.
For further information please contact:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
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