Waka Manaaki branding ‘more connected’ with NZ

ONE LIKE THIS: The St John Ambulance Service is rolling out its new Waka Manaaki-branded ambulances this summer and one of them will come to Gisborne later in the year. Picture supplied

New ambulances with new branding will be appearing around the country this year, and one will be coming to Gisborne.

Hato Hone St John is rolling out its new Waka Manaaki-branded ambulances this summer.

Around 50 new vehicles featuring the new design will be commissioned around the country during 2023, which has all been made possible thanks to Hato Hone St John donors.

Dan Ohs, Hato Hone St John deputy chief executive ambulance operations, says the yellow and green colour scheme, originally adopted because of its high visibility, remains but is enhanced.

“Our ambulances are one of the most visible connections we have with communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. As new ambulances and specialist response vehicles join our fleet, they will now include the new livery design more connected with Aotearoa New Zealand, while increasing the volume of reflective material on the rear of the vehicle.

“These improvements help maximise visibility to increase the safety for our people and patients,” he said.

“The new Waka Manaaki design connects well with our previous livery, while also connecting with our communities in a way which is uniquely Kiwi.

“‘Waka' means transport method and ‘manaaki' means to take care of. If we break ‘manaaki' down, ‘mana' is one's power and ‘aki' means to encourage or empower — which is essential for our patients.”

Dan Spearing, Hato Hone St John Ambulance national equity manager, said considerable attention had been given to achieving a balance between connecting and grounding the design in Aotearoa New Zealand, adhering to tikanga Māori “and ensuring we meet strict mandatories around safety for our people and patients”.

“The new Waka Manaaki design also acknowledges tangata whenua (people of the land) and connects us all to te ao Māori (the Māori world). Furthermore, this design represents us as a distinctive ambulance service within Aotearoa and reflects our journey to achieving better health outcomes for all, especially where health inequity is most prevalent.”

Mr Spearing said the organisation acknowledged the use of kaupapa Māori design comes with great responsibility.

“It is the responsibility to ensure we whakamana (empower) and continue to make a tangible difference for the health outcomes of Māori,” he said.

Mr Ohs said with the safety of patients and ambulance crews top of mind, Hato Hone St John had been careful to ensure the new concept maintained the function and physical safety of its transporting ambulances.

“We believe our newest ambulances are the first in the world to visually incorporate emergency vehicle safety standards while embracing cultural designs that acknowledge our tangata whenua. We're delighted to lead the way and see these vehicles being rolled out,” Mr Ohs says.

“The new vehicles retain their visual connection with St John organisations worldwide and the addition of our translated name ‘Hato Hone' incorporates one of New Zealand's official languages, bringing a stronger connection with the important work we do with communities right here.

“St John International is strongly supportive, and we are pleased to be the first St John organisation in the world to do this.”

The new-look ambulances and specialist response vehicles are currently hitting streets across the motu as the vehicle fleet is replaced in the coming years.