6 Ambulances Out of Action in Auckland After Shocking Tyre-Slashing Attack

Six ambulances were left out of action in South Auckland after a shocking tyre-slashing spree that has sparked serious concerns about public safety and emergency response delays. Police are now hunting an offender who broke into two Hato Hone St John ambulance station compounds and deliberately targeted frontline emergency vehicles.

The incidents, which took place weeks apart, have been described by authorities as “extremely reckless”, with officials warning that the damage could have directly put lives at risk. The attacks occurred at the Manukau and Ōtāhuhu ambulance stations, both critical hubs serving large communities across Auckland.

According to police, the first incident happened at the Manukau Station overnight between February 28 and March 1. The second and more recent attack took place at the Ōtāhuhu Station on Atkinson Ave overnight between April 8 and April 9. In both cases, the offender illegally entered secured compounds and slashed the tyres of multiple ambulances.

In total, six emergency vehicles were rendered inoperable — a significant blow to local emergency response capacity.

Emergency response hit as ambulances taken off the road

The seriousness of the situation became clear during the Manukau incident when ambulance staff discovered the slashed tyres while attempting to respond to a priority emergency call. That moment highlights the real-world consequences of the attack — not just damage to property, but the potential delay in delivering urgent medical care to someone in need.

Emergency services rely on rapid response times, especially in life-threatening situations such as heart attacks, severe injuries, or breathing difficulties. When multiple ambulances are suddenly taken out of service, the pressure shifts onto remaining units, increasing response times and stretching already busy crews.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said the offending was “extremely reckless” and emphasised the risk it posed to the public. “This type of behaviour could have serious consequences for people requiring urgent medical assistance,” he said.

Police are currently keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are linked, but the similarities — targeted compounds, overnight break-ins, and deliberate damage to emergency vehicles — suggest a disturbing pattern.

St John warns of community impact and delayed care risk

Hato Hone St John acting Auckland district operations manager Angela Jardine did not hold back in describing the impact of the attacks. She said damaging ambulances was a serious and unacceptable act that directly affects the wider community.

“Taking vehicles out of service has the potential to delay care for patients in need of urgent help,” Jardine said, underlining the broader consequences beyond the immediate damage.

Ambulances are not just transport vehicles — they are mobile treatment units equipped with life-saving equipment and staffed by trained paramedics. Each vehicle removed from service reduces the system’s ability to respond quickly and effectively.

In a densely populated region like South Auckland, where emergency calls can be frequent, even a short disruption can create ripple effects across the entire network. The loss of six ambulances, even temporarily, represents a significant operational challenge.

The incident has also raised concerns about security at ambulance stations. While these facilities are designed for quick access and deployment, repeated breaches may lead to calls for stronger protective measures to prevent future attacks.

For frontline staff, the incident is more than just operational disruption. Discovering damaged vehicles while preparing to respond to emergencies can be both frustrating and distressing. Paramedics already work under high-pressure conditions, and incidents like this add another layer of difficulty to their role.

Police believe there may be people in the community who know who is responsible for the attacks. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.

“There will be people who know who is responsible — we’re asking them to do the right thing,” Hayward said.

Anyone with information can contact police via the 105 non-emergency reporting service using reference number 260409/0402. Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not ruled out further lines of inquiry. For now, the focus is on identifying the offender and ensuring such incidents do not happen again.

This case has struck a nerve because it goes beyond vandalism. It highlights how fragile emergency response systems can be when deliberately targeted. For residents, it serves as a reminder that actions like these can have consequences far beyond what is immediately visible — potentially affecting the speed at which help arrives in critical moments.

As authorities continue their search, the message is clear: attacks on emergency services are not just criminal acts — they are threats to community safety itself.

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