Emergency Services
Top Stories for Friday 25 June 2021
Test results from Wellington contacts of a Covid-positve Sydney man are due back today - we speak to the Prime Minister. A 20-billion-dollar spend-up on defence becomes the latest Covid casualty… Audio
Alcohol-related ambulance cases shot up 37 percent in 2020
It appears plenty of New Zealanders turned to the bottle to get through the ups and downs of last year's Covid-19 rollercoaster.
New data, provided to Checkpoint, shows just how out of control… Audio
Wellington paramedics say they're critically understaffed
Wellington's Ambulance service has been issued with a Worksafe fix-it notice over the number of exhausted paramedics. It's been told to overhaul shifts and rosters but workers say the real problem is… Audio
The future of emergency 1-1-1 calls in a power cut
The Commerce Commission has established its 1-1-1 Contact Code to help people who rely on their home phone to get in touch with emergency services in the event of a power cut. Audio
Whakaari: Officials too risk adverse?
Criticism of the response to the tragedy has begun. Stuff published an opinion piece today by a PR director Mark Blackham. It's a pretty harsh take on the police's response to the disaster. Audio
More drivers ignoring flashing lights and sirens of emergency services
The police in Auckland are increasingly concerned about the number of drivers who are ignoring the flashing lights and sirens of emergency services. Audio
Patients waiting in ambulances as hospitals struggle
A doctors' union says they want more resources and fewer excuses, to stop 'ambulance ramping'.
Ramping is when patients are stuck in ambulances at hospital bays, because there isn't a bed free for… Audio
Fears rescue missions could be delayed by gap in helicopter coverage
The Auckland Islands helicopter crash has left part of the South Island without a locally-based night vision rescue helicopter.
Emergency workers describe response to the scene of ‘hatred’
Emergency workers who went to the mosque shootings have spoken out today, saying they'll never forget the scene of hatred that confronted them. Kate Newton heard the stories of those workers today -… Video, Audio
Community Meeting at Appleby School
Around 200 people were at another community meeting at Appleby School. They were grateful for the massive effort that has gone into fighting the fire. Many residents from the affected area are worried… Audio
Survival mode: Why some rural emergency services are under threat
Insight - Rural GPs and nurses are thin on the ground and the pressure on those trying to provide life saving emergency help is even more evident over the summer. Tess Brunton explores if they can… Audio
Fumes in Auckland building hospitalise 15
Tenants have been barred from returning to a central Auckland office building after unexplained fumes caused another evacuation last night. Augusta House on the corner of Victoria St West and Elliot… Audio
Multiple injuries in south Auckland fire
Four people have been injured in a house fire in Mangere.
Large Rolleston fire contained
Fire crews will continue to fight two large fires in Christchurch overnight, emergency services say. Video
Fire concerns as Canterbury temperatures rise
Extremely dry conditions and rising temperatures in Canterbury have fire crews and local councils concerned about a repeat of last summer's massive fires.
Man dead in Auckland motorcycle crash
The motorcyclist died at the scene of the crash in Glen Innes.
Four killed in Taupō crash
Four people are dead and another eight, including a baby, have been injured in a two-car crash in Taupō.
AOS called to Canterbury house
Armed offenders squad officers have cordoned off a house at Templeton, south of Christchurch.
Fatal crashes claim two lives
A pedestrian was killed in Northland while police have recovered a body from a car that drove into the sea in Canterbury.
Man dies during Kaipara fishing trip
A man has died after falling off a charter boat in Kaipara Harbour.