Great Barrier Island’s ambulance service still needs to raise around $64,000 to stay fully operational through the summer and into next year, even as the government moves to make the island’s emergency care permanently funded.
The island has been selected as one of six communities to take part in the coalition government’s new Rural Unplanned Urgent Care programme, which aims to create sustainable emergency response systems for remote areas.
Aotea Philanthropy organisers Judy Gilbert and Sandy Burgham say local fundraising remains critical to bridging the gap until the government scheme begins in July 2026. The funds raised so far have been used to pay for visiting paramedics and their travel to and from the island since September, maintaining 24-hour coverage during the transition. The further $64,000 is needed to carry the service through the summer and into next winter.
Aotea Health, St John and local advocates have been working together on an integrated model under which St John owns the ambulance and station base, while Aotea Health employs the paramedics.
Gilbert said Aotea had been “enormously lucky” to have Adam Johnson leading the service. Johnson, a Commander of the Order of St John with 40 years’ experience, established the island’s First Response Unit 11 years ago and has trained local ambulance volunteers ever since.
“Right from the start, Aotea was enormously lucky to have Adam volunteering and training local ambulance volunteers,” Gilbert said. “He has given so much to this community, and now the new model will help ensure the service he built can continue sustainably.”
The volunteer system that sustained the ambulance for more than a decade has become increasingly difficult to maintain. To provide full 24-hour coverage, around 20 trained volunteers would be needed, but only three are currently in training.
Aotea Philanthropy said the government’s recognition of the island’s model is a positive step, but the coming months remain critical to ensuring the ambulance can continue to operate without interruption.
Donations can be made to the Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust, ASB account 12-3011-0531871-00 (reference: St Johns Paramedic). A banking glitch may cause the account name to show only a partial match, but payments are being received.
For a tax receipt, email office@gbicht.nz.
