Representing close to 200 years of service were Brett James, Vernon Marris, Doug Flett, Toni Johnston and Doug Third.
Hato Hone St John chief executive Peter Bradley said Mr Third’s 50 years of service was a great achievement and milestone.
"I remember meeting Doug at the start of my ambulance career and his sense of humour, passion and enthusiasm for what he does stood out, and it’s a credit to him that 50 years on, this hasn’t changed," he said.
Mr Third said it was an incredible honour to reach this milestone.
"It’s hard to believe that my journey with Hato Hone St John began as a cadet in 1971."
He started as a volunteer ambulance officer in 1973 before becoming full-time in 1975, and over the years he has worked in public education, as a winch operator on a helicopter, as a regional operations manager and as territory manager and now he is area operations manager for Coastal Otago.
"I tell people that it’s easy to remain enthusiastic and passionate about what you do when you work for an organisation that is there to help make peoples’ lives better."
