Today marks the official launch of a campaign to raise $800,000 for a new Katikati St John Ambulance Station within a year.

Plans for the state-of-the-art station, which will also serve as a base in civil defence emergencies, are drawn up for the land adjacent to the new Katikati Fire Station in Sheffield Street.

An artist's plan for the new Katikati St John Ambulance Station.

St John Katikati has met the $230,000 cost of the land and has a further $230,000 set aside for the building, leaving $800,000 still to raise.

Spokesperson for ‘St John 365 – build in a year', Kate Williams, says several thousand dollars have already been donated ahead of the launch.

'This is so typical of the generosity of the Katikati community and the high esteem in which St John is held.

'This demonstration of support helps significantly with our applications to large funding organisations.”

Today's invitation-only event is expected to draw about 60 guests who will be given an insight into the need for the new station and plans for how to raise the community share of the funds.

With two ambulances, four full time ambulance officers, and up to 10 volunteers, Katikati St John has outgrown its current station – built about 18 years ago.

'There is only garaging for one ambulance which means the other must stay outside. The over-night accommodation for officers on call is no longer adequate, nor are the office, kitchen and training facilities,” says Kate.

'When the original station was built, Katikati had a population of around 2500 but today that figure is 4059, and there are another 5000 people in the rural area the brigade also serves, and a further 2500 at Omokoroa.”

The campaign committee, which has several other projects in the pipeline, is also seeking the support of local businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals to make donations or hold fundraising events.

Donations can be made at Eves Katikati, or the Katikati Resource Centre.