St. John Ambulance in New Zealand

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A branch of the St John Ambulance was first founded in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1885. Branches quickly spread across the country providing first aid and patient transport and in 1945, due to the efforts of St John in New Zealand during the Second World War, the organisation was elevated to a full Priory, with the Governor-General of New Zealand as the Prior.

During the 1970s and 1980s much restructuring took place in response to changing social and economic conditions, moving away from the traditional militaristic structure and resulting in the current modern organisation.

Today, St John New Zealand is a major health service provider in New Zealand. They provide around 85% of the emergency and non-emergency ambulance cover for the New Zealand population, emergency care and first aid at public events, support phonelines for the elderly and house-bound, hospital patient transport, public first aid training, health products and a successful youth programme.