The Priory in New Zealand
Who we are
St John began in New Zealand in 1885 in Christchurch in the country’s South Island, providing ambulance services and first aid supplies, and teaching first aid. The first ambulances were wheeled hand litters complete with haversacks of equipment, pulled through the streets by volunteers. Horse drawn ambulances soon replaced the litters and motorised ambulances became commonplace from the 1920s.
St John’s establishment in New Zealand was in response to numerous calls to provide the life-saving benefits of prompt first aid - first aid training and supply services that St John operated in the mines and pottery works of the industrial north west of England.
The very first meeting of St John here was called by members of the Christchurch community, with St John services gradually spreading throughout New Zealand. St John contributed significantly to communities in the early years in other ways by, for instance, establishing the district nursing scheme in Wellington (1902), early blood transfusion services (1930s), and health and safety advisors in the forestry, railways and waterfront industries (1950s). During World War II the organisation was responsible (with Red Cross) for sending 1.1 million food parcels to New Zealand prisoners of war in Europe and the Pacific.
Since then, we have progressively developed and expanded the services St John is known for around the world, relying on the support and involvement of communities throughout the country.
In New Zealand today, St John is a contemporary, connected, vibrant and progressive organisation. We are a community services organisation providing ambulance, first aid and a range of community care programmes throughout the country. We have more than 13,000 members nationwide.
New Zealand at a glance
New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation, being separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman Sea, approximately 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) across. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.
New Zealand has a population of about 4.2 million, of which approximately 78% identify with European ethnic groups, with the indigenous M?ori being the largest minority. Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the Head of State and, in her absence, is represented by a non-partisan Governor-General.
New Zealand has a modern, prosperous, developed economy. The country has a relatively high standard of living and is ranked 19th out of 177 in the United Nations 2007 Human Development Index.
The service industry is the largest sector in the economy however the country is heavily dependent on trade, particularly in agricultural products. Exports account for around 24% of its output. Tourism also plays a significant role in the New Zealand’s economy.
What we do
We have 185 ambulance stations providing ambulance services in the North Island, South Island and further afield including Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. The only areas in New Zealand in which ambulance services are covered by other providers are Wairarapa and Taranaki (provided by local district health boards) and Wellington (provided by Wellington Free Ambulance). We do provide other services in these areas, however.
The St John ambulance service treats and transports more than 320,000 patients a year and attends more than 245,000 emergency incidents a year in New Zealand. We bring emergency care, help and kindness to patients – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We are also the lead provider of ambulance communications services, dispatching the country’s fleet of 600 ambulances, more than 40 emergency helicopters, 250 rural doctors and nurses (trained in emergency medicine by St John to support the ambulance services), Coast Guard and other modes of response. They also coordinate Patient Transfer Services for District Health Boards.
We also provide:
- First aid and emergency care services at more than 8,000 public events a year
- First aid kit sales and first aid training (training more than 50,000 people a year, with specialist courses such as workplace first aid, emergency scenario workshops and sports first aid)
- St John Lifelink™ alarms for people who live at home and may need urgent medical attention at any time
Community programmes including:
- a Caring Caller telephone friendship service to support isolated people,
- Friends of the Emergency Department volunteers to provide comfort to patients in hospital emergency departments,
- Health Shuttles to help people get to medical appointments,
- St John Safe Kids education programme, teaching children basic first aid, what to do in an emergency and how to call an ambulance.
Our people
Like New Zealanders, our people come from all walks of life, genders and ethnicities. We think it is important our people reflect the diversity of New Zealand society. We have more than 13,000 members nationwide.
We are fortunate indeed to have a large team of committed people with high levels of skill and professionalism across an increasingly strengthened national network. In 2008, we have more than 2,000 paid staff, more than 7,000 volunteers and more than 4,000 members of our St John Youth programme. The St John Youth programme is among the largest youth programmes in the country and growing rapidly.
Our volunteers range in age from high school students to retired people. Our volunteers come from a variety of occupations including doctors, lawyers, homemakers, accountants, teachers, hospitality staff, plumbers and electricians. Volunteers have always been an important part of St John in New Zealand, and we believe they contribute substantially to the community and to the caring ethos of St John.