Forty-three new frontline ambulance officers are set to join emergency services in Auckland, graduating from Hato Hone St John’s (HHStJ) Residential Emergency Medical Technician (R-EMT) programme today.
The latest cohort were recognised at a graduation ceremony in Auckland attended by Hato Hone St John executive leadership and special guest, Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown.
Dan Ohs, HHStJ Deputy Chief Executive - Ambulance Operations, said EMTs were a critical part of frontline care.
“Emergency Medical Technicians are essential to ambulance services and New Zealand’s wider health system,” Mr Ohs says.
“This programme delivers job-ready clinicians and is a proven pathway into both the ambulance workforce and future paramedic practice.”
Hato Hone St John has 600 approved EMT roles nationwide, with 516 currently filled.
“This latest intake will help boost frontline capacity and support more timely emergency care,” Mr Ohs said.
Originally introduced during COVID-19, the R-EMT programme has become a key workforce pipeline, with strong retention and clear progression into further clinical training, he said.
“For many R-EMT is the beginning of a clinical career, with further opportunities in Paramedicine, Management and Education.”
Peter Bradley, Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, said the initiative had been instrumental in addressing ongoing workforce pressures.
“During the pandemic we knew we need practical, scalable solutions to grow our frontline workforce and this programme is delivering exactly that. It’s been great,” Mr Bradley said.
“It enables us to train and support people into meaningful careers, while strengthening ambulance services for the communities we serve.”
Mr Bradley said the organisation also acknowledged the support of Health New Zealand and partnership with Ngāti Whātua in supporting the programme.
-ENDS-
Notes for Editor
EAS Workforce
- 4,000+ staff: ~1,900 paid | ~2,300 volunteers
R-EMT Programme (since 2021)
- Built to address post-COVID shortages (with HNZ support)
- 6-month, paid pathway → Level 5 Diploma
- 300 graduates; 240 retained (26% of EMT workforce)
- Clear progression: paramedicine study + leadership roles
Auckland Impact
- Vacancy: 20% (100 roles of 470)
- With 74 new staff (43 R-EMT grads + 21 tertiary employment pathway):
→ ↓ to just over 7% by early May
Cohort Clinical Exposure
- 8,953 incidents | 21,980 hours
- 143 cardiac arrests | 76 births
Context
- Auckland = 30% of national workload
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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