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Now in her tenth year with Wellington Free Ambulance, Leanne’s path into paramedicine was shaped by more than a decade serving as a medic in the New Zealand Army. 

Leanne joined the Army in 2006 and served until 2024, working mainly between Burnham, Linton and Waiouru. As a medic, she cared for soldiers who were generally fit and healthy and whose medical backgrounds were often well known. 

“We treated soldiers similar to what an extended care paramedic would do today,” she says. “We also provided trauma cover for live training with various weapons and trained to be embedded on patrols or within platoon environments.” 

A lifelong connection to ANZAC Day 

ANZAC Day has been part of Leanne’s life for as long as she can remember. 

“I attended the Feilding dawn service growing up, watching and remembering our veterans,” she says. When she joined the Army in 2006, the day took on a new meaning. 

“The people I was commemorating were the fallen and serving veterans who had gone through something similar to where my training was leading.” 
 
"Being part of the parade and wearing uniform was an honour."

In 2011, ANZAC Day became even more personal. The year before, Leanne and her fellow soldiers lost an officer and friend, Tim, while serving in Afghanistan. 

“For ANZAC Day in 2011, our contingent mainly from Burnham flew to Ohakea to attend the Feilding service and commemorate Tim,” she says. 

“It was an emotional day for everyone and I felt it deeply being surrounded by the people who had lost him too, his family, and my family.” 

Two years later, the day became even more reflective when Leanne lost another good friend, Jacinda, who was serving in Afghanistan as a fellow medic. “After that, ANZAC Day became more a day of reflection.” 

From Army medic to paramedic 

Leanne says her experience in the Army strongly influenced her decision to become a paramedic. 

“When I completed the final stages of my tri-service medical training in 2008, I spent a month working on the ambulance in Christchurch,” she says. 

“I knew that if I ever left the Army, I would become a paramedic.” 

While continuing her Army career, she volunteered and studied part-time to work towards that goal. 

Staying calm under pressure 

Although the medical environments differ between the Army and emergency services, Leanne says many of the skills carry across. 

“The mental training is really beneficial across both, keeping calm under pressure, always being prepared for ‘what if’ scenarios and communication being key to achieving the right outcome. The camaraderie doesn’t go amiss either between the two.” 

The moment that stands out 

One moment that stands out from Leanne’s paramedic career was attending a car rollover in the Rangitikei district while working single crewed in the middle of the night. 

“Working with other agencies showed the importance of clear, short communication and being in control of a situation which felt surreal.” 

Working at Wellington Free Ambulance also means being part of a strong support network. 

“There’s backup from higher clinical levels, phone calls to assist in decision-making, active managers, training with your peers and the camaraderie across the shift, as well as the organisations we work closely with.” 

Honouring ANZAC Day today 

Today, ANZAC Day remains a time of reflection, comradeship and honouring those who have gone before. 

In recent years, Leanne has paraded with her family, either with Rangikura School or Ngāti Toa Sea Scouts. “I wear my medals on the left, and my son wears my miniature medals on the right.”