Emergency services first began operation in New Zealand in the late 1800s as a mixture of professional and volunteer efforts. In 1878, nine of the country's 31 fire brigades joined forces in Christchurch to create the United Fires Brigades Association of New Zealand.
Seven years later in 1885, the Order of St John began offering volunteer medical services. Due to the country's rugged landscape, and large number of people doing hard physical work, there was a high accident rate and St John medical training quickly became popular.
MOTAT has one of the largest Fire engine collections in the world, along with a number of other emergency service vehicles, uniforms and related objects. The collection includes some of the first fire fighting technology used in New Zealand and highlights the importance of the emergency services in the country.
The fire station at the Great North Rd site highlights many objects from the emergency services collection.
