Auckland's St John staff take busman's holiday to northern hot spots

Don't be surprised if a bikini or Speedo-clad ambulance officer arrives from the beach to give you medical assistance this summer.

St John is offering its Auckland staff postings at rural stations in Northland tourist spots which have a surge in emergencies during the holiday season.

The move, dubbed a "busman's holiday", offers ambulance officers accommodation at the station, at private homes or in motels in return for a few days helping local volunteers.

They are also encouraged to bring spouses and children to stay.

St John Northland rural support officer Mark Going said the volunteer would discuss with the station how often they could work and how much time would be holiday.

They might stay four days and be on call for two nights.

The visitors "buddy up" with a local volunteer when they arrive.

While on call the officer wears a pager and responds as needed.

Mr Going said they must remain close to the station but could spend time at the beach or in the local town.

Albany ambulance officer Tom Bannan, who is based at the Rosedale station, is taking his wife Maxine and their three children, aged 10, 8 and 1, to Paihia where he will volunteer from mid to late January.

They will stay at the station where Mr Bannan will work mostly at night so he can spend time with his family during the day.

"My wife has never been up north this far so there are great things for her to see and do. My kids are real water babies so they will love the beach and all the water activities on offer."

Mr Bannan, who has worked for St John for 21 years, has also covered shifts at the station while participating in the three-day police fishing competition, The Blue Heelers, which raises money for children with cancer in Northland.

"I have wanted to do this for the new challenge it offers [with] sometimes working by yourself or with new people you have never met before stepping outside your comfort zone ... I find the local community gives so much back - a wave, a smile, it's great and the pace [is] a little slower than Auckland," he said.