St John is failing to get to emergency callouts in Auckland and some rural areas inside the time limits set for it, according to an internal report aimed at improving its service.

A teen with severe chest pains died after an ambulance took an hour to get him to a hospital 10km away - and only after his father insisted he be taken there.

Helping people in times of crisis and thinking on her feet to solve problems have kept Jeanette Anderson volunteering for St John for an extraordinary 27 years.

Singer Richard Green tells Elisabeth Easther why he believes St Johns is a pleasant, revitalised place to live.

Crossfit is a quick, effective and fun way to beat the flab ... and challenge yourself.