St Johns' ambulances sitting empty as COVID-19 pandemic leaves $30 million deficit

St Johns assures New Zealanders ambulances will turn up to call-outs despite staff cuts leading to fewer emergency vehicles on the roads.

The charity has been struggling through the pandemic with a $30 million hole forcing them to cut 100 jobs and renege on their agreement to pay overnight staff 25 percent extra.

First Union representative Sarah Stone told The Project there are "ambulances all over the country sitting in stations because there aren't workers to get them out onto the road".

St Johns CEO Peter Bradley says the charity has been financially impacted by the pandemic.

"We've seen a reduction in our commercial income, our events, our first aid training, and of course our fundraising has been significantly affected as the public just can't give the support they would normally give to us."

But Bradley says ambulances will still be there to help anyone in need. 

"I can guarantee New Zealanders that we will still respond with the same speed to people in a life-threatening emergency."

Watch the full interview on The Project.