UPDATE 1.15PM: A Dunedin man has appeared in court this morning accused of stealing an ambulance while staff were attending to a patient.

Clayton Tamakehu has been charged with stealing, dangerous driving, driving while forbidden and failing to stop.

Police say the vehicle was taken in South Dunedin just after 11 last night where they tracked it using its GPS and it was stopped using road spikes.

Senior Sergeant Roy Appley said it was driven some distance on the disintegrating tyres and wheelrims, until finally coming to a stop at Waihola, 39 kilometres from Dunedin.

St John Southland District operations manager Pauline Buchanan says the act was "reprehensible".

There was complete disregard for the consequences of their actions and for the patient they were caring for," she said.

Fortunately, the patient was able to be treated at the scene and did not require transportation, Ms Buchanan said.

However, St John would be one ambulance down as the vehicle sustained considerable damage, and would need to be off the road for repairs.