More than 220 young people and their supporters from around New Zealand will head to Queenstown for the St John National Youth Festival and Competitions this week.
The festival is the major event for St John Youth in New Zealand and the 2012 event celebrates the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the programme in the country.
As well as competitions, this year's festival will have the theme of "the environment" and will include a hui where participants will discuss pertinent environmental issues.
The competitions day is the key event for many participants and the day they have trained for all year.
The three St John regions in New Zealand - Northern, Central and South Island - are represented by 11 teams who will be tested as teams and individuals in first aid, healthcare, leadership, communications and drill, or marching.
St John South Island region youth manager Michelle Brett said in a statement on Sunday, props, make-up and "patients" would be used in every phase of competition to recreate realistic accident and medical emergency situations.
Scenes were to be staged as realistically as possible so competitors would react in the way they would in genuine accidents and medical emergencies, Ms Brett said.
"Competing in teams and as individuals provides our cadets with the opportunity to develop skills and work together from an early age."
St John Youth is a member-based, uniformed, co-educational programme for those aged between 6 and 18.
More than 6000 people participate in the programme in New Zealand and learn first aid, healthcare, self-discipline and general life skills.
The St John National Youth Festival and Competitions run from April 12 to 15 in Queenstown. The competition day on April 14 will be open to spectators at Wakatipu High School, from 9am to 4.30pm.
The environmental hui will be closed to the public in the school gymnasium on April 15, from 9am to noon. A community event to be announced will follow.
