File photo. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Hato Hone St John says its new Residential Emergency Medical Technicial programme has been successful so far in tackling staff shortages.
Since the programme began six months ago, 82 new fully-qualified ambulance officers have joined the workforce.
Jo Gallagher, General Manager of Ambulance Operations, said it was developed to get more ambulance officers on the road amid unprecedented demand during the pandemic.
"The residential EMT program is incredibly successful," she said. "We're immensly proud that we've now got 82 fully qualified ambulance officers working on the road, which is 82 more staff than what we had six months ago."
She said an international recruitment drive was also about to be launched to attract more qualified ambulance officers into New Zealand.
Hato Hane St John was also working closely with universities in Australia and New Zealand as part of its recruitment drive.