New Zealand votes Hato Hone St John as one of the Most Trusted Charities for 2025

Hato Hone St John is excited to have been recognised as one of New Zealand’s Most Trusted Charities in the Reader’s Digest annual Trusted Brand Awards for the 12th time.

Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, Peter Bradley, says the recognition is deeply moving and a reflection of the trust New Zealanders place in the organisation during life’s most critical moments.

“Being named one of New Zealand's Most Trusted Charities is incredibly humbling. It's not something we take for granted – it's a powerful reminder of the responsibility we continue to carry after 140 years of St John being alongside New Zealand communities.”

In the past year, Hato Hone St John received almost 700,000 emergency ambulance calls to 111, transported and/or treated over 500,000 patients, taught over 90,000 students life-saving skills through First Aid training, provided in-home support for 60,000 people with medical alarms, and assisted the overall public health system with almost 90,000 trips carried out by Waka Ora Health Shuttles and over 80,000 transfers scheduled by Patient Transfer Services.

Mr Bradley attributes the organisation’s ability to maintain recognition as a Most Trusted Charity as testimony to the care its staff and over 8,000 volunteers show towards all New Zealanders every day.

“This honour belongs to every one of our people – our staff, volunteers and supporters who show up with compassion, skill, and commitment, often in the most challenging circumstances.

"Our emergency ambulance services, community health programmes, and broader initiatives are all about strengthening the resilience of our communities. This recognition from the New Zealand public is a profound honour – it reflects the trust and connection we strive to build every day with our communities.”

The Most Trusted Brands is an annual independent survey conducted globally, now 25 years old in New Zealand. The work is commissioned by Reader’s Digest and carried out by Catalyst Research who, this year, polled a representative sample of 1,750 Kiwis. They voted on 496 brands in 67 categories of products and services on a scale of 1-10 for trust and awareness.