A new state-of-the-art ambulance has joined Hamilton's emergency response fleet, providing a critical boost to frontline services amid rising callout numbers and ongoing pressure on the region's health system. The vehicle was funded by a donation from the long-standing community supporter, Grassroots Trust Limited.
The Generation 4 emergency ambulance was officially put into service following a blessing ceremony at the Hato Hone St John station in Ngāruawāhia on Tuesday, 21 April. The event was attended by iwi, Hato Hone St John personnel, and representatives from Grassroots Trust, celebrating a partnership aimed at enhancing life-saving capabilities in the community.
Equipped with modern medical technology, the ambulance includes features designed to improve patient safety and care. A power-load electric stretcher and a specialised stair carry chair will make moving patients significantly easier and safer for both them and the ambulance officers, reducing the risk of injury during transfers in and out of the vehicle.
A timely response to rising demand
The arrival of the new ambulance comes as Waikato's emergency services grapple with a workload that has been increasing year on year. Last year alone, ambulance officers responded to more than 13,700 emergency callouts in Hamilton. This sustained pressure on services was starkly highlighted in August 2023, when St John was forced to declare a 'major incident' due to significant delays in transferring patients to Waikato Hospital's emergency department.
On that occasion, the hospital was reportedly at 103 per cent occupancy, with its emergency department experiencing one of its busiest-ever periods, peaking at 143 patients. According to Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, the high demand was felt across the system, including at community urgent care clinics. The delays in offloading patients from ambulances at the hospital prompted St John to activate special measures to ensure it could continue responding to priority calls in the community. Debra Larsen, an ambulance operations manager for St John, said at the time that collaborative efforts with hospital staff helped manage the situation. These included setting up a temporary ambulance waiting area managed by a nurse to safely offload some patients. While officials were confident there was no significant impact on the overall ability to meet demand that night, the incident underscored the fragility of the patient transfer process. These events can have a ripple effect, tying up ambulance crews at hospitals when they could be responding to other community crises, such as those addressed by recent investments in primary care.
‘A boost for our staff and patients’
Hamilton Area Operations Manager for Hato Hone St John, Adrian Gavin, says the new vehicle is a welcome asset for his team. Over its lifespan, the ambulance is expected to travel approximately 500,000 kilometres and attend more than 30,000 incidents, making it a vital piece of infrastructure for the city.
The ongoing support from funders like Grassroots Trust is essential for empowering frontline staff to deliver high-quality emergency care. The need for reliable, modern vehicles is constant as the existing fleet ages and the number of callouts continues to climb.
Long-term community partnership
Grassroots Trust Limited has been a significant supporter of Hato Hone St John for many years, recognising the critical role the service plays. Since 2022, the trust has contributed more than $4.5 million towards vehicles and equipment across the North Island.
This funding has resulted in the donation of 26 vehicles, including not only Generation 4 ambulances but also Major Incident Support Team (MIST) vehicles, Patient Transfer Service (PTS) vehicles, and specialised Complex Patient Ambulances. The trust has also funded essential lifesaving equipment, such as defibrillators.
We recognise the vital lifesaving work that ambulance officers carry out in our communities every day and we want to make a tangible and meaningful difference that honours their work while benefiting as many people as we can.
St John's wider community role
For over 140 years, Hato Hone St John has been a cornerstone of New Zealand's health response. It provides emergency ambulance services to 90 per cent of the population across 97 per cent of the country, operating with a mix of paid staff and dedicated volunteers. For those interested in medical services in other regions, a guide to doctors and medical centres is also available.
Beyond the emergency ambulance service, the organisation runs numerous community health programmes designed to build resilience and support vulnerable people. These include the Waka Ora Health Shuttles, the ASB Caring Caller service connecting people who are lonely, the St John Youth programme, and first aid training in schools. It also provides first aid at public events, medical alarm services, and runs retail stores throughout the country to support its operations, all part of a broad portfolio of services that are vital to community well being.
Looking ahead, the new ambulance in Hamilton will play a crucial part in maintaining the high standard of care residents rely on, ensuring that when a crisis hits, Hato Hone St John has the tools to respond effectively.
