St John

What St John does

Hato Hone St John is a New Zealand-registered charity (CC35255) operating as the country's primary emergency ambulance service provider. Founded in 1885 and rebranded to incorporate te Reo Māori in 2022, the organization employs 10,000+ staff and mobilizes 8,000+ volunteers contributing over three million hours and an estimated $30 million+ in value annually. Frontline ambulance crews responded to 450,201 incidents in 2024 (a 2.8% year-over-year increase) and surpassed 500,000 incidents in 2025, the highest level on record, with emergency demand having grown approximately 50% over the past nine years.

The organization's product portfolio spans emergency ambulance services, non-emergency Patient Transfer Services, first aid training courses, Medical Alarms with in-home telehealth (Manaaki Mamao), community programmes (Waka Ora Health Shuttles, Caring Caller, Therapy Pets), and the ASB St John in Schools programme that has trained 500,000+ children. Technical infrastructure includes the 111 Clinical Hub for triage, GoodSAM smartphone-activated bystander response app, Electronic Patient Records integrated with HealthOne and CareConnect, and Australasia's first electric emergency ambulance trial. Specialized services include the PRIME rural response programme (jointly funded by MoH and ACC), Extended Care Paramedics for in-home treatment, and a newly launched custom-built paediatric transfer ambulance developed with Health New Zealand and Starship Child Health.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: government contracts with Ministry of Health and ACC, ambulance part charges ($125 per incident from July 2025), annual Ambulance Membership subscriptions, first aid training course fees, medical alarm monthly monitoring fees, donations and bequests, and retail sales of first aid products and AEDs. The organization serves all New Zealanders but targets four primary segments — general public, children and youth (6–18), elderly and vulnerable populations, and businesses requiring workplace training — through channels including the 111 emergency system, online e-commerce, retail stores, and healthcare provider partnerships.

Name

St John

Legal name

Hato Hone St John

Website

https://stjohn.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Hato Hone St John is New Zealand's primary emergency ambulance service and registered charity, operating 111 emergency response, first aid training, medical alarms, and community health programmes nationwide, serving over one million people annually across general public, youth, and elderly segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Medical Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910), Ambulance Services (62191), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) & Ambulance Services (BPAIAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ambulance Fleet, Equipment & Logistics Services (HLAFANAN), Emergency Dispatch, Call Center Monitoring & Response Services (HSAHAHAG), Medical Alert / PERS Monitoring (Emergency Response) (BPAKAFAD)

Keywords

• Emergency ambulance services
• First aid training
• Medical alarm services
• Emergency medical response
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Core funding from Ministry of Health and ACC for emergency ambulance services and various health programmes
2. Ambulance Part Charges: Patient charges for emergency ambulance transport, increased from $98 to $125 from July 2025
3. Ambulance Membership/Supporter Scheme: Annual subscription for ambulance coverage and support
4. First Aid Training Courses: Revenue from public and corporate first aid training courses
5. Medical Alarms: Sales and monitoring services for medical alarm products for elderly and vulnerable people
6. Donations and Fundraising: Public donations through annual appeals, bequests, and regular giving programmes
7. Retail Products: Sales of first aid kits, AEDs, and accessories through online shop and retail stores

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hato Hone St John is New Zealand's primary emergency ambulance service provider, delivering 24/7 frontline emergency medical response via the 111 system across the country. The organisation also provides accredited first aid training courses, subscription-based medical alarm monitoring for elderly and vulnerable individuals, and community health programmes including youth development, patient transfer, event medical coverage, and mental health first aid. Revenue is generated through government contracts, ambulance membership subscriptions, training fees, medical alarm monitoring, retail product sales (first aid kits and AEDs), and public donations.

Product overview

Hato Hone St John operates as a multi-service emergency and healthcare organisation offering a unified portfolio of services centred on emergency response and community health. The core offering comprises emergency ambulance services (111 emergency response) and first aid training, supported by ancillary services including Medical Alarms for vulnerable populations, Patient Transfer Services, and Event Health Services. Community health programmes include the Waka Ora Health Shuttle, Caring Caller social support, ASB St John In Schools (with 500,000+ children trained), St John Youth development programmes, and Therapy Pets. Specialised services include PRIME for rural emergency response and Extended Care Paramedics for home-based treatment. Products include first aid supplies, AEDs, and subscription-based Ambulance Membership. The organisation is a registered charity relying on public donations and government funding to sustain operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PRIME: Primary Response in Medical Emergencies service - a jointly commissioned project funded by MOH and ACC providing coordinated emergency response in rural locations.
• St John Youth
• Waka Ora
• 3 Steps for Life

Products and services

• Emergency Ambulance Services Frontline 24/7 emergency ambulance response and transport via the 111 system throughout New Zealand, providing immediate medical care and transport to hospital. Serves the general public and is the primary emergency ambulance service in New Zealand.
• First Aid Training Courses Accredited first aid education programmes including standard first aid, resuscitation, mental health first aid, and specialised courses endorsed by RNZCGP and RNZCUC, for the general public and corporate clients.
• St John Medical Alarms 24/7 personal emergency response systems (PERS) with monitoring for vulnerable individuals at home, including the Manaaki Mamao in-home telehealth service. Targets elderly New Zealanders and those at risk of falls or medical emergencies.
• Patient Transfer Services (PTS) Non-emergency patient transport services for individuals requiring transfer between healthcare facilities, hospitals and home.
• PRIME (Primary Response in Medical Emergencies) Rural emergency response service jointly funded by Ministry of Health and ACC, utilising specially trained rural GPs and nurses to support ambulance services in areas with significant response time challenges.
• Waka Ora Health Shuttle Volunteer-operated community transport service taking people to health and wellbeing appointments and returning them home, operating on a koha (donation) basis.
• Event Health Services On-site medical coverage for events including sports games, concerts, festivals and mass gatherings, providing first aid response and emergency care for event organisers.
• First Aid Products and AEDs Retail range including first aid kits, bandages, defibrillators and related medical supplies, including the St John-branded AED developed with ViVest, available via online shop and retail stores.
• Ambulance Membership/Supporter Scheme Annual subscription programme providing free emergency ambulance attendance and transport to hospital for members, with additional supporter benefits and charitable funding for St John services.
• Extended Care Paramedics (ECPs) Advanced paramedic service allowing qualified paramedics to provide treatment and care to patients in their own homes, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits.
• Mental Health First Aid Training courses teaching participants how to assist people experiencing mental health challenges, available online and in-class, including the Mental Health First Aid Refresher for prior completers.
• 3 Steps for Life Programme Nationwide initiative teaching New Zealanders how to respond to cardiac arrest through CPR and AED use, delivered in partnership with MAS (Medical Assurance Society).
• St John Youth Programme Volunteer-run youth development programme for children aged 6-18 offering first aid, service and leadership skills through Penguin (ages 5-9) and Cadet (ages 10-18) programmes.
• ASB St John in Schools In-school first aid training programme teaching children aged 5-18 life-saving skills including CPR, AED use, and stroke recognition; has trained over 500,000 children.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 500,000 emergency incidents responded to annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MAS (Medical Assurance Society)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2024MAS serves as principal sponsor of the 3 Steps for Life programme, a nationwide initiative teaching New Zealanders how to respond confidently and effectively to cardiac arrest emergencies.
• Health New ZealandflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Health New Zealand partnered with St John and Starship Child Health to unveil Aotearoa's first custom-built paediatric transfer ambulance for critically ill and injured children.
• Starship Child HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Starship Child Health partnered with St John and Health New Zealand to develop the custom-built paediatric transfer ambulance - a major step forward in paediatric emergency care.
• ASBflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2024ASB is principal sponsor of the ASB St John in Schools programme, one of New Zealand's largest in-school first aid training programmes. ASB has supported St John for many years including the ASB St John Toy Ambulance campaign and various fundraising initiatives.
• PowerNetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowerNet extended its partnership with St John to bring mental health first aid, first aid, and community wellbeing programmes to the lower South Island region.
• Summerset Retirement HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummerset Retirement Homes sponsors the St John Therapy Pets programme, enabling it to grow and continue providing pet therapy services in retirement communities.
• ViVestminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSt John partnered with medical technology manufacturer ViVest to create, produce and sell an innovative new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) under the St John brand.
• Z EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZ Energy partnered with St John to install defibrillators at all Z retail sites across New Zealand, providing free community access to life-saving AEDs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• St John Ambulance Australia: Australian counterpart offering first aid training, volunteer first aid services, and community programmes under the same Order of St John heritage. While it does not operate ambulances directly in most states, it is the most direct functional and organizational analogue within the broader St John international family.
• Tunstall Healthcare: Leading provider of Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and telecare monitoring services in Australia/New Zealand and Europe. Directly comparable to St John's Medical Alarms business line, both in product offering and in elderly/vulnerable customer segments.
• Wellington Free Ambulance: Wellington-based ambulance service that directly competes with St John in the greater Wellington region. Operates as a charitable trust integrated into the same GoodSAM dispatch system, providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to a defined geographic market.

Broad incumbents

• American Medical Response (AMR): One of the largest private ambulance service providers in the United States, operating emergency and non-emergency medical transport, interfacility transfers, and event medical services. Provides a benchmark for capital-intensive, multi-jurisdiction EMS at scale.
• Australian Red Cross: Major humanitarian and community services charity in Australia providing first aid training, community programmes, and disaster response. Overlaps with St John's first aid training, community programmes, and youth education missions under a broader humanitarian framework.
• St John Ambulance (UK): The UK arm of the international Order of St John, providing first aid training, volunteer ambulance services, event medical cover, and community programmes. Operates as a much larger established charity with significant scale, training infrastructure, and brand recognition.
• Acadian Ambulance Service: Privately held US ambulance and health services company providing emergency medical transport, air medical services, and industrial health & safety training across multiple states. Comparable as a multi-service ambulance and first aid training operator with diversified revenue streams.
• Falck A/S: Global ambulance and healthcare services provider operating emergency medical services, patient transport, and occupational health across Europe, North America, and South America. Relevant as a large-scale, internationally operating EMS comparable to St John at a corporate level.

Regional players

• London Ambulance Service: NHS Trust providing emergency ambulance services across London. Operates a publicly funded ambulance model serving a large urban population, comparable in service delivery to St John's Wellington/Auckland metro operations but in a different geography and funding structure.
• Royal Flying Doctor Service: Australian aeromedical and remote health services organization providing emergency retrieval, primary health care, and community programmes across rural and remote Australia. Comparable as a non-profit emergency health provider with a strong volunteer and donor base serving geographically dispersed populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StJohnNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/StJohnNewZealand
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-john-new-zealand
• Instagraminstagram.com/stjohnnz

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St John