“Unfortunately, during the festive season, our people see an increase in violent and threatening behaviour towards them. This is completely unacceptable,” Cockburn said.
“If our ambulance personnel don’t feel safe, we empower them to leave the scene.”
He asked the public to look out not just for their friends and neighbours, but also the crews working long hours in the summer heat to keep communities safe.
A snapshot of last year’s demand
Last Christmas Day, St John attended almost 1500 incidents nationwide, including a high number across the Bay of Plenty. Many involved falls, intoxication, abdominal pain and minor injuries.
New Year’s Eve remained one of the service’s busiest nights. Between 10pm on December 31, 2024, and 6am on January 1, 2025, frontline crews responded to 570 incidents, many linked to alcohol, assaults and falls.
“The last place anyone wants to spend Christmas or New Year’s Eve is in the back of an ambulance because they’ve fallen off a ladder adjusting Christmas lights, burnt themselves on the BBQ, or drunk more than they can tolerate,” Cockburn said.
“A great volume of incidents our ambulance crews respond to are preventable.”
Safety tips for holiday celebrations
St John is encouraging people to:
- Eat before drinking and pace themselves
- Accept only drinks they’ve seen being poured
- Arrange a sober driver
- Look out for their mates
Other festive‑season safety reminders include:
- Practising safe food hygiene
- Using long‑handled utensils when barbecuing
- Keeping small batteries out of reach of children
- Knowing basic first aid
“For burns, run cool water over the area immediately for at least 20 minutes and then cover with cling film or a clean, non‑stick dressing,” Cockburn said.
Festival season: A Bay of Plenty priority
With the Bay of Plenty hosting some of the country’s biggest summer gatherings, St John urged festival-goers to prepare for long days in the sun.
Their advice:
- Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every two hours
- Wear hats and protective clothing
- Stay hydrated
Crews across summer festivals often treat people who spend more time in medical tents than enjoying the music, simply because they were not prepared for heat or dehydration.
Drug checking and honest conversations
Each year, ambulance teams care for people who become seriously unwell after taking recreational drugs, sometimes without knowing what they have consumed.
“Hato Hone St John does not endorse drug taking. The safest option is not to take them at all,” Cockburn said.
“But we know some people will, and we want them to be able to make informed decisions.”
Drug‑checking services were available at many major festivals, including several in the Bay of Plenty.
“If you need help from ambulance teams, please be honest about what you’ve taken. We’re here to care for you, not judge you.”
Save 111 for emergencies
St John reminded the public to keep 111 for life‑threatening emergencies only.
For non‑urgent issues, people are encouraged to:
- Call Healthline (0800 611 116)
- Use a 24/7 online GP service
- Visit a local GP or pharmacy
