St John Youth New Zealand

Hato Hone St John Youth New Zealand

Hato Hone St John Logo (legacy)
Affiliated With:	Hato Hone St John
Youth members:	4,037 as of 9 June 2024
Chief Executive:	Peter Bradly
National Youth Manager:	Kerry Mitchell
Highest Youth Award:	Sovereign's Award
Second Highest Award:	Grand Prior's Award

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, and fun, with first aid, drill, and other uniquely-New Zealand aspects central to the programme.

Regions

St John Youth is divided into three regions (being Northern Region, Central Region and South Island Region) around New Zealand; each has a Regional Youth Manager, Regional Cadet of the Year (RCOTY) and Deputy Regional Cadet of the year (DRCOTY). The organisation is also led by the National Youth Manager, Youth Strategic Development Manager, and National Cadet of the Year (NCOTY).

Cadets of the Year (District [x24], Deputy Regional [x3], Regional [x3], and National [x1]) 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 (one year), on their uniforms, DCOTYs wear blue fourragères; DRCOTYs wear silver fourragères; RCOTYs wear white aiguillettes; the NCOTY wears gold aiguillettes.

Grand Prior Award Scheme

The Grand Prior Award is the second highest achievement available for St John Youth members (Sovereigns Award being the highest, has only been achieved once in New Zealand as of 2024). Badges are split into four levels: Korora, Hoiho, and Blue/Gold. In order to earn the Grand Prior, a cadet must achieve the 5 compulsory badges (shown below) plus 5 other optional badges, all at Gold level, Level 2 First Aid(15+), and an additional 100 community service hours.

Proficiency Badges

New Curriculum

Badge Name	Compulsory For Grand Prior?
Healthcare	Yes
Child Development	No
Emergency Management	No
Communication	Yes
Community Engagement	No
Drill and Ceremonies	Yes
First Aid	Yes
Life Skills	Yes
St John	Yes
?	No
?	No
?	No

Old Curriculum

Badge Name	Badge Image	Badge Description	Compulsory for Grand Prior?
Accident Prevention		This badge aims to empower cadets with the knowledge and skills in identifying and preparing appropriately for different situations. Cadets will engage in activities and discussions that enhance their awareness of dangers and develop techniques in minimising or avoiding potential hazards.	No
Animal Care		The animal care badge aims to provide experiences for cadets to develop their abilities in identifying and addressing the needs of others while encouraging the principles of respect, compassion and empathy.	No
Camping		This badge is largely based in a practical camping environment where cadets have immediate opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they learn. This badge also encourages working as a team, leading a group and the safe attitudes and behaviours required to survive in the outdoors.	No
Caregivers		Cadets will take an active role as a patient and in the role of caring for needs to practise the skills and techniques learnt during demonstrations. The caregivers badge covers aspects from bed making to assisting people through the grieving process with a clear benefit to cadets who wish to pursue an interest or career in the medical arena.	Yes
Casualty Simulation		This badge focuses on all aspects required to create and stage a realistic scenario. The skills learnt in this badge will assist cadets in identifying and treating patients as well as building values in empathy by understanding a patient’s perspective.	No
Child Care		Cadets will be exposed to concepts that will develop skills in caring for others while learning practical skills needed to address the needs of children. This badge also discusses how to create a sense of fun in all areas of play and child development with links to the four core values of St John (integrity, teamwork, professionalism and empathy).	No
Civil Defense		The Civil Defence badge is divided into three areas - preparation (understanding basic needs, survival kits..), potential disasters (identifying hazards, understanding the environment..) and survival (the role of Civil Defence, personal survival techniques in isolation..).	No
Communication		This badge aims to give cadets an edge in communicating by providing experiences that build confidence in interacting. The communication badge focuses on the various forms of communication (speaking, listening, presenting..), different audiences (kids, adults, sign language..) and the different intentions of communicating (entertain, inform, persuade..). It also integrates how changes in technology have affected how we communicate. The St John Waiata and Haka have become an integral part of communication, so the badge gives cadets the opportunity to learn these as well as appreciate the meaning.	Yes
Community Awareness		This badge aims to provide cadets with an appreciation of what makes up a community and the skills required to investigate them further. They will be required to engage in learning about community development and how a range of community needs are met through various community organisations and governmental functions.	Yes
Drill		Drill is a learning technique used to introduce many skills which cadets will find socially beneficial. It builds and encourages positive youth development through growing a sense of belonging, discipline, taking pride in their appearance, working as a team, respecting others and building morale. Cadets will also develop and fine tune a range of other useful skills such as movement, using their voice effectively, coaching and leadership skills.	Yes
Environment		This badge focuses on the conscious responsibilities we owe our surroundings and the negative impact of humans on ecosystems. Cadets will engage in discussions and activities that will encourage postitive attitudes and raise awareness of the actions we can take to preserve the environment.	No
Faith	(Current) (Old)	This badge enables cadets to focus their understanding of personal values while building awareness of similar and differing views and opinions of others. Learning to recognise various views and beliefs is essential in society and everyday life.	No
Fire Safety		This badge aims to promote awareness of the dangers of fire and encourage appropriate attitudes towards using it safely. Cadets will engage in activities that develop skills in safely extinguishing small fires and techniques to increase their chances of survival. This badge also focuses on fire prevention and the effective treatment of injuries related to fire.	No
First Aid		This badge will empower cadets with the skills to respond safely and assist others during situations that require first aid. Cadets will enhance their skills in patient care, communication and treatment through demonstrations and practical scenarios that place them in challenging situations to help them cope during a real life event.	Yes
Fitness		The fitness badge is largely practical as cadets are exposed to activities that develop their physical abilities and build self esteem through various challenges. Cadets will engage in discussions that promote positive attitudes and expose them to various ways of maintaining physical strength. This badge will also empower cadets with valuable skills as they take an active role in setting and achieving personal goals.	No
Global Citizenship		Global citizenship is about discovering the world we live in and promoting cross-cultural understanding, particularly important when living in a multicultural society like New Zealand. This badge explores what culture is, different cultures, customs and traditions, systems of government, New Zealand’s role in the world and current international events.	No
Hauora (Health)		This badge explores health in the view that in order to be ‘healthy’ we need to not only have a fit and strong body, but we also need to care for our emotional, social and spiritual side of our well-being. Cadets will also be exposed to activities that build awareness of the influencing factors towards health, how they can help others and the various health related services available in our communities.	No
Hobbies		This badge aims to build the awareness of various activities available so that cadets can spend their leisure time constructively.	No
Home Technology		This badge focuses on a variety of abilities to help prepare cadets in supporting themselves in the outside world. Cadets will be exposed to a range of skills such as cooking, household maintenance, finances, flatting, and day to day planning.	No
IT (Information Technology)		This badge focuses on technology that is used primarily for creating or gathering information in a variety of ways. Cadets will be exposed to many technological uses, ranging from everyday software to computer programming languages.	No
Kiwiana		The Kiwana badge enables our Youth to think more indepthly about the culture of New Zealand whilst also enjoying some classic kiwiana fun and enjoyment. Develop a connection to New Zealand’s past, present day and future. A badge that strives to answer who we are as an individual, community and country when we call ourselves a New Zealander.	No
Leadership		This badge aims to build the confidence and ability in working together and sets the foundation for future leadership roles both in St John and their future careers.	No
Maoritanga		The maoritanga badge aims to provide opportunities that are relatively practical for cadets to experience and enhance their understanding of the traditional and modern life of Māori.	No
Media Studies		Technology now is being used for more and more things, every device now has the capability of taking photos and recording videos. It is important that cadets should take advantage of these features and do so in a safe way. Cadets are also now being exposed to media from a huge range of sources, and they should understand which of these sources are accurate and how they can produce their own media to show on various sources. They will also learn to use social media in a constructive way and how to do so safely.	No
Road Safety		The Road Safety badge empowers cadets with the appropriate attitudes and conscious behaviours required to use New Zealand roads safely. Cadets will be exposed to activities that develop and enhance awareness, an appreciation of safety regulations and practical skills in assisting at a road accident safely (first aid, bystanders, fires, other traffic..)	No
St John		This badge aims to build awareness by focusing on three areas – past (the origins of St John); present (current services); and future (where St John is heading). These are looked at in both New Zealand and worldwide environments.	Yes
The Arts		The arts badge aims to provide opportunities for cadets to experience various forms of art and develop their creative flair. Cadets will be encouraged to actively engage in at least two forms of art (drama, music, dance and visual art) throughout the course of this badge. This will develop various skills that will prove beneficial to their presentation ability and may even lead to professional careers in the arts (photography, design, music..).	No
Ventureship		The ventureship badge aims to address these needs by providing opportunities for cadets to step out of their comfort zone in a safe and controlled environment. Cadets will be exposed to activities that will challenge and encourage their abilities and perceptions of what they believe they can accomplish.	No
Water Safety		This water safety badge aims to build on what is delivered in New Zealand schools and swimming programmes. Cadets will engage in activities that encourage safe attitudes, an awareness of hazards and how to manage them. This badge also focuses on promoting safety and providing experiences that aim to enhance confi dence such as aquatic games, activities, survival techniques, kayaking and identifying hazards in and around water. (rips, rocks, other people, children near water, beaches, safety signs..)	No

Ranks

Ranks and Insignia of St John New Zealand Cadets

Rank	Cadet Leader	Cadet Sergeant	Cadet Corporal	Cadet
Insignia
Notes	A Cadet Leader is the highest possible rank a Youth Member can achieve. Cadet Leaders have the benefit of having said rank until the age of 18-19 (Depends on when you choose to beomce a Youth Leader). Their motto is "Leading Change".	Second highest NCO in St John Youth. "Leading Teams" is their motto	The first NCO rank in St John Youth. This rank is achieved by undergoing leadership training. You must be in the Gold Group to achieve this rank. Their motto is "Leading Others"	All youth members in Hato Hone St John Youth will attain this rank when starting the programme.

Competitions

Competitions are held regularly throughout the year, with tests on Trauma, Medical, Improvisation (no first aid kits), Communication, Drill, Pairs 1&2, Pairs 3&4 and a Team Leader Test Divisions can enter teams of up to two competitors for Korora (Penguins) (Yr1 to Yr3), Hoiho (Greens) (Yr4 to Yr6), Intermediate (Blues) (Yr7 to Yr9) and Senior (Golds) (Yr10 to Yr13 or untill you turn 19) 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. (The drill test is done with a Senior Team)
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 Interprovincials, 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 (it switches between northern and central every year).

National Youth Festival

The National Youth Festival is held every year in a different region. This is a competition where all regions from around New Zealand meet for competitions which are often held in June.

In 2023, the National Youth Festival was held in Christchurch during April. 2024's NYF was held in Auckland. 2025's NYF will be held 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 National Youth Festival is often considered the highest level of competing within the St John Youth programme.

The Champion Region title is currently held by Northern Region (2024).

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 (England, Wales, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia) attended the festival, which incorporated both the National and International competitions. The Northern Region South Island (NRSI) (since amalgamated into South Island Region) 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 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.

Child Protection Policy

St John Youth has a nationwide Child Protection Policy (CPP), which ensures the safety of its young people.

Joining St John Youth

Those who wish to join St John Youth can contact a Division in their area and then attend a Divisional Meeting. It costs $25 each term the cadet is attending, $25 to join and $50 for uniform costs. Competitions, camps, and other activities also will cost extra (price depends on what activity). The sew-on proficiency badges, certificates and badge material are included in the annual fee. For those facing financial hardship, St John has funds available to meet costs in cases of financial hardship.

External links

• St John Youth NZ (official website)
• St John New Zealand (official website)
• Hato Hone St John (Wikipedia Page)