4 | Helping to make events safer for patrons MRI provides a comprehensive range of tailored services, starting with an event medical risk assessment to ascertain the amount of cover needed for the event. Medical Response Industries T T Anne Boswell “At MRI, my focus is on collaborating with event managers and promoters to provide medical response that meet the needs of events of all sizes – whether it’s a small gathering or a large concert or festival.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Alofa Goodall’s diverse background has positioned her to change the face of event medical care in New Zealand – and that’s what she’s achieving as founder and CEO of Medical Response Industries (MRI). With a career that has evolved from managing Parliamentary elections as regional manager for the Chief Electoral Office, to owning two Lone Star restaurants and then working as an ambulance officer for Hato Hone St John, Alofa combined her skills and experiences to create a new model for medical support at events. “Following a restructure at St John last year, I had an opportunity to reflect on what I was going to do going forward,” she says. “I discovered that my passion lay in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of individuals at public events.” Strong relationships with event industry professionals gave Alofa the encouragement she needed to launch MRI. “At MRI, my focus is on collaborating with event managers and promoters to provide medical response that meet the needs of events of all sizes – whether it’s a small gathering or a large concert or festival,” Alofa says. Now, with over 180 doctors, nurses, paramedics and first-aiders on the books nationwide, MRI has been nominated for Supplier of the Year at the 2025 NZEA Awards. “MRI’s success is driven by an exceptional team of clinicians who combine skill, compassion, and absolute commitment to outstanding care,” Alofa says. MRI provides a comprehensive range of tailored services, starting with an event medical risk assessment to ascertain the amount of cover needed for the event. Appropriate staff are allocated for high- and low-risk events, performing all tasks from simple first aid for cuts and bruises, to acute treatment, on-site medication administration and rapid emergency response. They work seamlessly with local emergency services, aiming to treat patients at the event wherever possible, preventing unnecessary ambulance transports and easing the load on local hospitals. The model is data-backed and effective. The Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival – where the dedicated MRI team delivered high-quality, professional medical care to thousands of festival-goers – remained virtually undetected by Auckland Hospital staff next door. “To have an event with 40,000 people on your doorstep and have a normal Saturday night in ED speaks wonders about the model we’re using,” Alofa says. Led by medical director Dr Michael Murphy, MRI contacts local hospitals ahead of each event to keep communication lines open. The result is fewer hospital admissions and a safer experience for event-goers. MRI’s work spans the country, from small community events to large-scale concerts for promoters such as Live Nation and Frontier Touring. High-profile events they have covered include the L.A.B Summer Tour, Laneway Festival, and charitable initiatives like the Special Children’s Christmas Party. While this year has been focused on event medical care, MRI is preparing to expand into rural and primary health support. Plans include mobile medical pop-ups for non-urgent conditions, first-response training for security staff, and broader community health education. For Alofa, the mission is highly ambitious, but entirely achievable. “Our aim was to raise the bar of event medical delivery,” she says. “Being named a finalist for the NZEA Award has been an important benchmark in that journey.” I N S U R A N C E MA D E E A S Y We take pride in our reputation as trustworthy insurance professionals, providing valuable advice to our clients across the country. From taking the time to learn about your unique circumstances through to the settlement of claims, helping our clients succeed is always at the forefront of everything that we do. LET’S CHAT 09 238 5557 admin@insiteinsurance.co.nz www.insiteinsurance.co.nz
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