We started out as a voluntary organisation and today about 70% of our workforce are volunteers; a mighty team of 8,000 remarkable individuals doing important mahi (work) across a diverse range of roles. From operating health shuttles to teaching first aid, providing medical services and crewing ambulances, to helping in our retail stores, and visiting people in care homes. We even welcome our four-legged friends as part of our therapy pets programme!

We couldn't do it all without the energy and generosity our volunteers.

There are so many ways to get involved, the work you do makes a huge difference to kiwis across the motu, and there’s lots of benefits in it for you too!

As a volunteer with Hato Hone St John, you'll acquire new skills, forge lifelong friendships, and contribute to delivering essential health and community services throughout Aotearoa. Along the way, you'll receive comprehensive training and support, exclusive benefits and wellbeing resources, and the deep satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in your community.

Ambulance & Events

Hato Hone St John’s Ambulance volunteers assist communities across the motu in medical emergencies, and Event volunteers provide support for sports events, school fairs, or concerts. Volunteers are trained to handle all sorts of emergency medical situations, ensuring they can provide excellent care and support at events, or throughout a patient's journey from the initial 111 call to their destination.

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Retail Stores

Hato Hone St John’s Op Shop teams play a crucial role in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, selling affordable pre-loved goods to fund essential, lifesaving services and community initiatives. Not only do we create friendly, supportive community hubs, but we also contribute to New Zealand's environmental sustainability by promoting recycling and reducing landfill waste.

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Major Incident Support Team

The Major Incident Support Team (MIST) at Hato Hone St John plays a crucial role in strengthening our response capabilities during major incidents and large events. MIST supports our Operations and Event Health Services teams nationwide, helping during planned and unplanned events and incidents, especially in times of crisis and high workload. 

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Youth Leaders

Youth Leaders support young people by teaching them valuable skills, and serve as mentors, guiding them in various aspects of life, including career planning and personal goal setting. While making a difference for the young people in their community, Youth Leaders also develop their own leadership and communication skills, as well as practical skills in health and medical emergencies. 

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Waka Ora Health Shuttle

The Waka Ora Health Shuttle provides a vital community service, offering koha-based transportation to health and wellbeing appointments, thanks to our dedicated volunteers. For individuals with regular medical visits, this shuttle is a lifeline, ensuring they reach their destinations punctually and return home safely.

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Community Education

Volunteer Community Educators champion our Ngā Tohu Whakaora e Toru (3 Steps for Life) program, aiming to bolster community readiness and enhance out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. The mission of Ngā Tohu Whakaora e Toru is to empower community members to act swiftly in emergencies. This free one-hour session equips participants with essential Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) skills, fostering confidence and readiness to intervene during cardiac arrest incidents.

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Caring Callers

Hato Hone St John Caring Caller is a friendship-based service for people who are alone or feel isolated in our communities. Our programme matches those who need a friend with volunteers who understand the need for care and companionship, and who want to make a difference to someone's life. Many of our callers look forward to their chats as much as our clients do - a friendly kōrero can make your day!

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Hospital Services & Community Carers

In the busy emergency department of a hospital, a friendly, calm face can be comforting. Friends of the Emergency Department (FEDs) volunteers listen, provide information, and support patients and their whānau. Our volunteers also welcome people in hospital foyers, offering directions and assistance. For long-term patients, our volunteers provide companionship through chats, reading, and games, making their stay more enjoyable. Additionally, our community carers visit rest homes, offering support through friendly conversations, reading, grocery assistance, and gentle walks. 

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.

Therapy Pets

Our Hato Hone St John Therapy Pets programme has more than 550 volunteers sharing their pets throughout New Zealand. Visiting schools, libraries, rest homes, hospitals and other health services, these furry friends deliver a dose of aroha (love), boost wellbeing, provide distraction and comfort, and help ease loneliness.

 Click here to register your interest  or view current opportunities below.