Full Breakdown
Record 111 Call Volume Triggers Major Incident for St John Ambulance
8/9/2026, 5:44:34 AM
Surge in Emergency Calls
On Saturday, St John Ambulance received 2,562 calls via the national 111 number—the highest single-day total ever recorded. Earlier in the week, calls reached 2,404 on Monday and 2,454 on Thursday, far above the typical ?1,900 daily volume. At the peak, call handlers were answering a call every 20 seconds “All three days were busier than any recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic or on traditionally high-volume dates such as New Year’s Eve. At the peak, emergency call handlers were answering a call every 20 seconds,” — Mr Gallagher. The service logged 15,268 calls by 2 p.m. on Sunday 9 August and is on track to surpass the previous weekly record of 15,289 set between 27 July and 2 August [Date Ledger]. The earlier record of 14,984 calls occurred between 25 and 31 August 2025 [Date Ledger].
Operational Response
St John declared a major incident and activated its Emergency Operations Centre to maintain safe response times. “This is an early and precautionary decision to help us continue providing safe and effective care during an unprecedented period of demand,” “This is an early and precautionary decision to help us continue providing safe and effective care during an unprecedented period of demand,” — Gallagher. The agency emphasized that “our first priority is patient safety. Ambulance staff continue to prioritise people with life-threatening and time-critical conditions,” “Our first priority is patient safety. Ambulance staff continue to prioritise people with life-threatening and time-critical conditions,” — Gallagher. Gallagher noted that “Saturday is not normally our busiest day, so this level of demand is highly unusual,” “Saturday is not normally our busiest day, so this level of demand is highly unusual,” — Gallagher.
Government Funding Announcement
In the 2026 Budget, the Government pledged $35 million over four years to expand ambulance capacity, including two new Auckland hubs, additional staff, upgraded technology, and stronger frontline support. Health Minister Simeon Brown said, “When New Zealanders call an ambulance, they need confidence that they will get the help they need quickly and that frontline crews have the support and resources they need to respond,” “When New Zealanders call an ambulance, they need confidence that they will get the help they need quickly and that frontline crews have the support and resources they need to respond,” — Health Minister Simeon Brown.
Public Guidance
St John urges callers to reserve 111 for serious illness, injury, or immediate threats to life and to consider alternatives—GPs, Health New Zealand’s online GP service, pharmacists, urgent-care providers, or Healthline (0800 611 116)—for non-emergency concerns.
