A mountain biker is injured on a remote Mākara trail, with high winds preventing air rescue. In Waikanae, an elderly patient needs safe, comfortable transport to a hospital appointment 63km away. Meanwhile, 500 life-saving AEDs across the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region require regular servicing.
Each of these scenarios relies on Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) having the right vehicle ready for action. For more than 30 years, Mitsubishi Motors NZ has been a trusted partner to ensure that’s the case.
WFA’s 100-strong fleet of ambulances and passenger vehicles covers around 4 million km annually. The passenger vehicles support emergency response, patient transfer and community outreach and include 15 Mitsubishi Outlanders (nine PHEVs, six petrol) and two Pajero Sport 4WDs – each selected for a specific role.
“MMNZ delivers on all fronts – and having multiple dealerships we can work with and call on for technical guidance has been fantastic.”
While vehicles are critical to WFA’s work, the relationship is built as much on trust and shared values as it is on capability.
“As a team, MMNZ shares our sense of community and wanting to help others,” says WFA Fundraising Advisor Dominic Barrington Prowse. “They’re more than just vehicle suppliers. Each year, we need to raise at least $8.5 million to keep our services free of charge to our community. When we invest those donations, we need to be confident our trust is well placed. The length of our relationship with MMNZ speaks for itself on that front.”
Fit-for-purpose Performance
When it comes to longevity, Mitsubishi vehicles also deliver. One 2015 Outlander PHEV was recently retired with more than 350,000km on the clock. Josh says that kind of return on investment is one of many reasons the organisation continues to work with MMNZ.
“Every vehicle in our fleet is an essential piece of medical equipment,” says Josh. “We regularly assess specs to ensure we’ve got the right fit – and we balance that with overall reliability and dealer support.
“Driver feedback for all Mitsubishi vehicles has been consistently positive and that’s another aspect that informs our decision-making.”
Outlander Outreach
The Mitsubishi Outlanders support frontline emergency response and extended care, as well as the Patient Transfer Service (PTS) and the Lloyd Morrison Foundation Heartbeat Team, which installs and maintains more than 500 AEDs (defibrillators) across the region.
“Responders often need to travel at speed and, with our region’s hilly geography and winding roads, the vehicles must have excellent handling and safety features.”
“They also offer ample space in the boot to transport specialist medical equipment, as well as wheelchairs and walking frames.”
Josh adds that comfort and accessibility for elderly or mobility-impaired patients are further plus points.
“One reason we’ve stuck with Outlander PHEVs for our PTS fleet is that they outperformed other vehicles we trialled. And, of course, they help reduce fuel costs and environmental impact.”
Going the Extra Mile
The 4WD Pajero Sport Rescue Squad vehicles respond to emergencies in places ambulances or helicopters can’t reach – such as Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park, a “hot spot” on their activity maps, says Josh.
Low transmission lines and high winds at Mākara can prevent air access, but the Pajero’s robust design, offroad performance, safety and comfort make it WFA’s vehicle of choice for these situations.
The rear of each has been modified to carry a patient on a rough-terrain stretcher – and more than one mountain biker has exited a gnarly trail that way.
“Our Rescue Squad needs to carry specialist gear and get paramedics as close to patients as possible,” says Josh. “Pajero Sport has proven itself time and again.”
With a vehicle range proving its worth in the field – and a relationship grounded in shared values – WFA has a partner that understands a reliable, capable fleet isn’t just about logistics. It’s central to how they serve the community.