Coromandel Emergency Response Vehicles

 Through our ongoing fundraising efforts, and with the support of the community, proceeds are now being invested directly into a new fleet of emergency response vehicles.

These specially equipped vehicles will allow trained responders to reach patients quickly, stabilize situations, and support the work of air and road ambulance services across the region.

At present, three vehicles are being acquired, fitted out, and will be deployed to key locations around the Coromandel. Initial bases are likely to include:

Whangamata - covering the southern coastal stretch, a hub for locals and summer visitors alike.

Whitianga - providing coverage across the northern and eastern coastline, where response times are often critical.

Thames or Coromandel Town - extending reach to the western communities and acting as a link into the wider Waikato health network.

Each vehicle will be set up with advanced communications, emergency response kits, and visibility to ensure the public can easily identify them as trusted frontline support. Importantly, they are designed not just for speed and mobility, but also to integrate with helicopter and ambulance services, creating a seamless chain of care from the moment help is required.

This initiative marks a vital step forward in improving emergency readiness for the Coromandel. While three vehicles are being prioritised now, the vision does not end there. With further fundraising and promotional activity, the fleet can be expanded over time - ensuring that more communities, from small coastal villages to high-traffic tourist spots, benefit from fast, life-saving support.

Expanding to Northland

Plans are already underway to replicate this model in other regions of New Zealand. Northland is next.

With both current and future promotions, a fleet of rapid-response vehicles will also be deployed across Northland, extending the same life-saving capabilities into one of the country’s most geographically challenging and high-demand regions. This expansion will mean more communities can count on immediate, on-the-ground support when every minute matters.