Vineeta Rao
Auckland, June 14, 2025
Hato Hone St John has launched its 2025 Annual Appeal, asking Kiwis to help raise $4.5 million to fund the construction and repair of 13 ambulance stations across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Branded ‘Light the Way,’ the appeal shines a spotlight on the organisation’s urgent need to future-proof the hubs that support frontline emergency care, stations that are not only lifelines for patients, but also sanctuaries for paramedics, volunteers, and local communities.
Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to approximately 90% of New Zealand’s population and 97% of the country’s geographical area.
In 2024, St John responded to over 450,000 emergency incidents, an average of more than 1200 callouts per day.
Despite its essential role in the country’s emergency response system, St John is not fully government-funded. About 30% of its operational costs (roughly $80 million) annually must be raised through donations, sponsorships and public appeals.
“This is about future-proofing our stations so that no matter what tomorrow brings, our teams will always be there for communities when they need us most,” Hato Hone St John Chief Executive Peter Bradley said.
Funding and Support
In late 2024, the New Zealand government announced a $21 million boost for St John’s emergency ambulance and communications services, bringing total government funding for the 2024-2025 year to nearly $357 million. The investment was welcomed by the Organisation after months of lobbying from staff, union leaders, and health advocates.
While this funding helps cover 82% to 86% of St John’s emergency operating costs, it still leaves a significant shortfall, roughly $80 million annually, which must be raised through donations, commercial activities, sponsorships, and appeals like ‘Light the Way.’
“We are grateful for the government’s increased support, but we are not fully funded. That is why our Annual Appeal remains crucial, not just for ambulance stations, but for everything we do beyond emergencies,” Mr Bradley said.
Paramedics have described the funding as a ‘lifeline,’ but say it does not eliminate staffing pressure, infrastructure gaps, or the growing demand for non-emergency community health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
New builds and renovations
This year’s appeal will fund 10 new builds and three urgent renovations in locations stretching from Whangārei to Invercargill, including, Kawakawa (major renovation), Whangārei (new build), Auckland Central (Pitt Street) (urgent repairs), Waihi, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Palmerston North, Nelson, Akaroa, Oamaru, Riversdale, and Invercargill (new builds), Rangiora (planning stage renovation).
Many existing stations are ageing, overcrowded, or no longer meet modern safety and health standards. Some lack proper seismic resilience or even basic facilities for staff to decompress between callouts.
“They are not just garages for ambulances. They are places where our people recover, connect and train. They are community hubs,” Mr Bradley said.
St John’s Annual Appeal dates back to 1907 when it was first known as Ambulance Saturday. In 1975, a 24-hour Telethon raised nearly $600,000, setting a national record at the time.
Last year, the 2024 appeal raised $3.9 million. This year’s $4.5 million target reflects growing demand and the urgent need to maintain essential infrastructure.
Make a difference
On 14 and 15 June, thousands of St John volunteers and staff will be on the streets collecting donations nationwide. Local businesses and schools are also holding fundraising events in support.
New Zealanders can also contribute vialighttheway.stjohn.org.nz
Text “AMBULANCE” to 469 to donate $3 Giving Day (late June): All donations within 24 hours will be doubled by generous matching sponsors
“You never know when it will be your family in need of an ambulance,” Paramedic Jay Singh, who is based in one of the stations due for a rebuild, said.
“When people give to St John, they are making sure we can show up, trained and ready, in someone’s worst moment. Supporting this appeal is about more than giving money,” said Bradley. It is about saying yes to a stronger, safer future—for our ambulance officers, our communities, and our country,” he said.
Vineeta Rao is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.
