About us

In his first few weeks, Dan (second from left) has already enjoyed attending the Ed Sheeran concert with the Event Medical Services team.

Dan joined Wellington Free Ambulance in early 2026 as our new Chief Executive, a role that sees him leading the emergency ambulance service for Greater Wellington and Wairarapa, from involvement in strategy and funding to ensuring our region continues to receive high-quality emergency healthcare. 

Wellington Free isn’t new to Dan, he’s been aware of us since he was a child - he lived in Wellington during his childhood. Although he moved away when he was older, his mother and sisters still live here today. Dan has always had a strong interest in emergency services, exploring both paramedicine and firefighting as career options.

Dan decided to join Fire and Emergency New Zealand, serving across the North and South Islands for close to 17 years. Dan worked from the front-line to Executive Officer before working in the healthcare sector for 11 years. Dan is joining us having recently spent the last 18 months as the Chief Executive Officer at a non-governmental organisation. With his wealth of emergency services and NGO experience as well as his personal connection to Wellington, when the role of Chief Executive came up, he felt “as if the role had been made for me”.

Stepping into his new role

When deciding to join Wellington Free, Dan reflects that we’re “an organisation that has a strong reputation across our community and leaders across the government”. It’s an exciting time for Dan to join us, as we’re soon (in 2027) celebrating 100 years of service to our communities, something Dan describes as “humbling to be part of the next phase of legacy”.

Dan is spending his first weeks with Wellington Free in the clinical communications centre and with the emergency ambulance service and patient transfer service, giving him the chance to see “first-hand the work that happens and to hear from the front-line. After spending time with the patient transfer service, Dan was impressed by the “staff, the interaction with the patients being transferred, the engagement in the hospitals and relationships they have established”.

He recently attended the Ed Sheeran concert with the Event Medical Services team. Dan explains that “what stood out for me were the staff that worked that evening, calmly responding to people’s needs as they arose, the real personal but professional engagement they had with people that were unwell, and how they engage with the venue. I’m really proud of our teams and the professionalism they bring - and Ed sings some good songs as well!”  He’s also meeting teams across Wellington and Wairarapa to give him an understanding of all areas of Wellington Free’s service.

What’s stood out so far for Dan is the people of Wellington Free:

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata he tāngata he tāngata!

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people it is people it is people!

“I’ve been warmly welcomed everywhere I go and have heard already of so many initiatives and opportunities to make things better for our community and for our organisation.”

Looking to the future

Dan may have only recently joined but he’s already looking to the future. He explains that “Kia ora te Tangata – Strategy 2030 is an exciting plan. Being part of the ongoing development and delivery of what’s needed to create the legacy for another 100 years of Wellington Free is a focus”.

Outside of Wellington Free, Dan has already swapped his Crusaders scarf for a Hurricanes one and promises to check out the Phoenix soon. One thing he truly loves about Wellington, which his wife shares, is that “the food capital of Aotearoa is right here on our doorsteps – so I’m looking forward to needing a gym membership!”.

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to the team Dan!