27033 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

27033 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What is the current funding shortfall faced by road ambulance providers, and does this uplift fully close it?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that the recently announced uplift is a component of the overall investment into emergency ambulance services, alongside funding from Health New Zealand and ACC for FY2026/27. This investment will provide two new road ambulance hubs in the Auckland region, an improved electronic patient clinical record system, and improved safeguarding of patients. I am further advised the ongoing negotiations between Health NZ and ACC and the two providers, Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance, will determine how additional funding will be utilised to support current funding pressures, while seeking to address inflation and to support volunteers and front-line staff.