Dannevirke: Local added to Maori advisory board

Dannevirke's James Kendrick, a St John volunteer ambulance driver, has been appointed to the inaugural Hato Hone national Maori advisory group for St John. Photo / Christine McKay

The appointment of Dannevirke's James Kendrick to the board of the St John Maori advisory group is awesome, the organisation's HR manager Tom Dodd of Auckland says.

Mr Kendrick is one of seven voluntary and paid St John staff from around New Zealand appointed to the group who will give advice on initiatives to improve Maori health outcomes, training and education for St John staff and the integration of tikanga Maori throughout St John, Mr Dodd told the Dannevirke News.

"It's awesome to have James on this group. He's one of those New Zealanders who gives their hearts to their community and we are delighted to bring his experience into our group."

Mr Dodd said it's hoped the new advisory group will bring simple and practical ideas to Maori communities, with some initiatives being localised as the organisation realises one size doesn't fit all.

"All those on the group bring a huge background of wealth of knowledge to their roles and we looked for people who understood Maori health issues and protocols," he said.

"We were also looking for those who understood St John and who could contribute to their community."

Among the Maori health outcomes already identified by St John is the aim to have defibrillators on all marae with people trained in their use.

"Cardiac arrest survival rates amongst Maori isn't good, so this is one practical initiative," Mr Dodd said.

Mr Kendrick, a volunteer with Dannevirke St John and the Dannevirke Fire Brigade, said he is looking forward to the challenges the role will bring.

"The main purpose of the group is to advise and recommend ways to progress St John's Maori strategy to the executive management team and I believe I've plenty to contribute," he said.

"It's a great achievement for Dannevirke to have someone represented and I'm very proud," Mr Kendrick said.

Mr Kendrick has been a volunteer fireman for more than 15 years and with a high proportion of callouts medical assists, he decided to join the ambulance service as a driver and went on to be trained as an ambulance officer.

"I bring 54 years of life experience to this new role and I hope I'm a role model for others who will see there are opportunities here, you've just got to take them, even in a voluntary capacity," he said.

"As a member of the Maori advisory group I will be in a position to develop and implement strategies and I believe I'm well placed to see what people really need. With everything else I do, including being part of the Ngati Kahungunu Tamaki Nui a Rua Trust, a rugby referee and a volunteer firefighter, this new role is the icing on the cake.

"I am a hands-on person and if I don't agree with something I speak out and I'm not afraid to be upfront with my ideas."

Mr Kendrick acknowledges his many hours of volunteer work wouldn't be possible without the fantastic support of his employers at Dannevirke BP and Mitre 10.

"They have gone out of their way to support me when I've had to attend callouts for both the ambulance service and the fire brigade," he said.

"I've had other staff come and open up the BP Service Station in the morning when I've been on a callout and my manager has even told me to go home and take a break after a particularly long and gruelling callout."

Mr Kendrick said he knows he can make a difference within St John.

"I know there are particular needs within our community, especially dealing with self harm, dementia and Alzheimers," he said.