Ōtaki St John Community Shuttle Team - Volunteer Story Celebration 2024

Every week the relatively small team of the Ōtaki St John Health Shuttle Team transport Ōtaki , Paraparaumu and Levin residents to their Medical Appointments in Palmerston North, Levin, Kenepuru, Wellington and Lower Hutt.

As a volunteer group we transport local people to medical appointments from predominantly Ōtaki to Levin , Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Kenepuru, Wellington, Hutt Valley. The service operates Monday through to Friday.

We have 13 volunteers at present and like most volunteer groups we could accommodate more.

We presently have 3 Diabetics we transport to Dialysis Appointments in Palmerston North 3 days per week. Our first pick up is 6-30am and we then bring them home each day from about 2pm.

Each day, Monday to Friday. we will transport on average 7-8 people per day, sometimes it’s more.
We have 3 vehicles - a Hyundai sedan , a 6 seater Toyota Hi-Ace and a 7 seater VOLKSWAGEN Crafter. Most of the team are retired and each of us do at least 2 days per week.

We operate on all Public Holidays, apart from Christmas and New Year, specifically for our Diabetic passengers and their appointments are of course a priority.

On occasions we will transport people home after a Hospital discharge as there is often no other means for them to come home. We also pick up people from Levin, Shannon, Waikanae and Paraparaumu.

What makes the team of volunteers special?

Without the Health Shuttle Team many many Kapiti residents would not be able to attend their medical appointments in Palmerston North, Levin, Wellington , Kenepuru and Lower Hutt . There is no appropriate public transportation to Palmerston North and other areas for these residents . Medical attention for elderly and unwell Kapiti residents is vital and every week our small team makes sure their medical appointments are kept.