St John Youth New Zealand
Hato Hone St John Youth is a cadet-based programme for young people aged between five and eighteen. Members who turn eighteen tend to remain involved in leadership roles.
St John Youth is closely affiliated with the Order of St John in New Zealand, of which His Majesty King Charles III is the Sovereign Head.
St John Youth consists of two programmes; the Penguin Programme is for children in school years 0–6, and the Cadet Programme is for young people in school years 7–13.
The Youth curriculum focuses on leadership, life skills, first aid, and fun, as well as other unique aspects only to New Zealand and military-style drill.
Regions
St John Youth is divided into three regions around New Zealand; each has a Regional Youth Manager, Regional Cadet of the Year and Deputy Regional Cadet of the year. The organisation is also led by the National Youth Manager, Youth Strategic Development Manager, and National Cadet of the Year.Cadets of the Year represent the interests of young people at all levels of the programme, from District Youth Leadership Teams to Priory Chapter, the highest governing body for Hato Hone St John in New Zealand. For the duration of their term, on their uniforms, DCOTYs wear blue fourragères; DRCOTYs wear silver fourragères; RCOTYs wear white aiguillettes; the NCOTY wears gold aiguillettes.
For 2025, they are:
| National Youth Manager | Youth Strategic Development Manager | National Cadet of The Year |
| Kerry Mitchell CStJ JP | Rebekah Van Leeuwen MStJ | Lily Wilson |
Grand Prior's Award Scheme
The Grand Prior's Award is among the highest achievements available for St John Youth members.Badges are split into four levels: Kororā, Hoiho, Blue, and Gold. In order to earn the Grand Prior's Award, cadets must achieve the 5 compulsory badges plus 5 other optional badges, all at Gold level, Level 2 First Aid, and an additional 100 community service hours.
Under the old curriculum, a cadet had to achieve 6 compulsory badges plus 6 other optional badges, all at Gold level, and an additional 100 community service hours.
NOTE: Some badges that have been removed during the switch of the curriculums may still be able to be used as optional badges for the Grand Prior.
Proficiency Badges
| Hoiho/Korora | Picture | Blue | Picture | Gold | Picture |
| Super Hoiho | Sapphire Shield | Grand Prior | |||
| Super Korora | Sapphire Shield | Grand Prior |
| Badge Name | Badge Image | Compulsory for Grand Prior? |
| Accident Prevention | No | |
| Animal Care | No | |
| Camping | No | |
| Caregivers | Yes | |
| Casualty Simulation | No | |
| Child Care | No | |
| Civil Defense | No | |
| Communication | Yes | |
| Community Awareness | Yes | |
| Drill | Yes | |
| Environment | No | |
| Faith | No | |
| Fire Safety | No | |
| First Aid | Yes | |
| Fitness | No | |
| Global Citizenship | No | |
| Hauora | No | |
| Hobbies | No | |
| Home Technology | No | |
| IT | No | |
| Kiwiana | No | |
| Leadership | No | |
| Maoritanga | No | |
| Media Studies | No | |
| Road Safety | No | |
| St John | Yes | |
| The Arts | No | |
| Ventureship | No | |
| Water Safety | No |
Competitions
Competitions are held regularly throughout the year, with tests on trauma, medical, improvisation, Communication, Drill, Pairs 1&2, Pairs 3&4 and a Team Leader Test Divisions can enter teams of up to two competitors for Kororā, Hoiho, Intermediate and Senior competition teams. In senior competitions, there is also the senior individual category which is made up of one senior cadet who participates in a Trauma, Medical, Improvisation, Communication and Drill Test.All three regions hold District Competitions where the top teams and individuals then progress through to the Regional Competitions.
Both Northern and Central regions compete annually at Interprovincial Competitions. To qualify to go to Interprovincial Competitions, teams must be in the top 6 scorers in the Quiz test, held either as the Communications test at district competitions or held at a separate date closer to the competition. Additionally, both regions send 6 teams to Interprovincials from either the Quiz test and an 7th guest team can be sent by the hosting region.
National Youth Festival/Competitions
Previously known as the National Youth Competitions, the National Youth Festival is an annual event held in different regions every year. This is a competition where every region across New Zealand meet for competitions which are often held in April.The previous competition was held by Central Region in Palmerston North. All regions run a process to select their squads that will represent their region at competitions. Each region has a different process and must select a regional squad that consists of four teams of four, four individuals and four ‘emergencies’. Phased out in 2020, some Regions selected development squads that don't compete on the day but train with the squad, or as a non-competing emergency.
The Champion Region title is currently held by Central Region.
International Youth Festival
In 2010 New Zealand hosted an International Youth Festival. Held between 25 and 31 January at Lincoln University near Christchurch. Cadets from 8 other countries attended the festival, which incorporated both the National and International competitions. The Northern Region South Island team won the National Competitions, winning Champion Team, Champion Individual and Champion Region, amongst other trophies. Other activities during the festival included an 'Amazing Puzzle Race' around Christchurch city center, a visit to Hamner Springs and Thrillseekers canyon, a Youth Symposium, in which cadets listened to speakers and discussed issues faced Youth in today's world, a sports championship, surfing and Sightseeing around Christchurch City and the International Antarctic Center.Every four years, an International Youth Festival is held. The last International Youth Festival was held in South Africa in 2020.
Divisions
Each region in Hato Hone St John Youth is made up of "Divisions" in which cadets meet. Divisions usually meet for an hour and a half and once a week. Each Division is run by a Division Manager, Assistant Division Manager, and other volunteer youth leaders.In New Zealand, the first cadet division was started on 2 May 1927 by Mr Ted Gilberd in Whanganui.