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Our history

Our history

1920s

Go Back

1920s

The man who started it all

Wellington Free Ambulance was founded by the mayor of the day, Sir Charles Norwood in 1927.

Sir Charles Norwood

While out driving in his mayoral car, Sir Charles came across a man injured and cold, lying on the footpath in Lambton Quay.

“Has anyone sent for an ambulance?” he called to the crowd standing around the injured man.

The answer came that none could be found and the injured man had no money to pay. At that time, ambulances were provided by the Harbour Board and there was a cost to use the service. Most people found their own way to hospital, if needed.

This lack of access to ambulances and the cost barrier inspired Sir Charles to found the uniquely free and accessible service that is Wellington Free Ambulance. A gift to the city at the time and to many generations to come.

Sir Charles believed in a place where emergencies needn’t cost lives or money, declaring that his city would have a free ambulance service for everyone.

This vision is a gift that has held for almost 100 years.

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Your Rights & More info

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Your Rights

As our patient, and under the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Code of Rights, you have the right to:

Be treated with respect
Be fully informed
Freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment and exploitation
dignity and independence
Services of an appropriate standard
Effective communication
Be fully informed
Make an informed choice and give informed consent
Support
Respect of teaching or research
Complain

If we don’t respect these, let us know and we’ll do everything we can to put it right.

Support in the process

If you need support or help with making a complaint, you can contact the office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and ask for an advocate.

www.hdc.org.nz
0800 555 050

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In an emergency dial

To contact Wellington Free Ambulance

General enquiries

Please contact us to discuss other options for being in touch.

Phone: (04) 499 99 09
Fax: (04) 499 3777
Address: 19 Davis Street, Thorndon 6011
Postal address: PO Box 601, Wellington 6140
Media enquiries: 021 348 571

In an emergency dial

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Did you know
We are proudly the only emergency ambulance service for Greater Wellington & Wairarapa