He started in Dunedin yesterday, meeting staff at St John's office in Burns House and being shown plans for the upgrade of the York Pl ambulance station.
Mr Bradley has been in the Auckland-based role for eight months and said it was important for him to understand St John's capabilities throughout the country.
''It's good to meet staff and see what the different facilities are like, and whether there are any specific issues or challenges. It's the first time I've been this far south in my current role,'' he said.
Mr Bradley was appointed chief executive last September, having served St John as an Auckland ambulance officer and as the northern regional director of ambulance services.
He completed a master's degree at the University of Otago and worked in the United Kingdom as chief executive of the London Ambulance Service.
Mr Bradley was also chairman of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and national director of ambulance services for the UK's Department of Health from 2004 until his return to New Zealand last year.
He was accompanied on his southern tour by St John South Island general manager David Thomas, who said an appreciation of rural conditions and how they affected services was of particular importance.
''Peter is very keen to meet the hard-working and dedicated St John staff from Otago and Southland, and hopes to get an understanding of some of the challenges of running an ambulance service in such a diverse and rugged geographic area.''
Yesterday they also visited Palmerston, Ranfurly and Mosgiel.
Today, the tour will cover Balclutha, Gore, Invercargill, Riverton, Tuatapere, Te Anau and Lumsden.
Tomorrow, Mr Bradley will visit Queenstown, Wanaka, Alexandra and Cromwell.
