After two years of planning, the St John International Youth Festival has finally arrived.

The first day of the Festival is tomorrow, Monday 25 January at Lincoln University, Canterbury.

More than 400 young St John members from New Zealand and around the world are in Christchurch this week for a week of fun, education and excitement, as St John New Zealand this year hosts the St John International Youth Festival from 25-30 January.

The Festival officially starts tomorrow with a welcome powhiri between 4-5pm. The powhiri is notable for the first public performance of a haka and waiata (song) written specifically for St John nationally.

The Festival's opening ceremony takes place between 8-9pm, when the Festival will be officially declared open by Garry Wilson, Chancellor of St John in New Zealand.

This part of the ceremony will also launch the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of St John in New Zealand.

125 St John members will be releasing 125 balloons, and a replica of a horse drawn ambulance (of a type last used by St John in the early 20th Century) will also feature in the celebrations.

Michael Brooke, St John Youth Director, says the festival is something participants will remember for a lifetime. "We're celebrating the success that St John Youth in New Zealand has experienced over the past 10 years, as well as joining together with members of the international St John family.

"The International Youth Festival will be a fantastic opportunity for young St John members from New Zealand and internationally to take part in some fun activities, see some of New Zealand, and make some life-long new friends."

Media are warmly invited to attend both of these events.

Both events are being held in the Quad at Lincoln University (if wet, in the Gillespie Hall). The best entrance is via Gate 1, Ellesmere Junction Road.

Other notable International Youth Festival events this week include:

* Tuesday 26 January: international and national competitions at Lincoln University, where competitors test their first aid, communication and leadership skills against their peers

* Wednesday 27 January: a special 'Amazing Race' around Christchurch to introduce participants to the beautiful sights in the Garden City

* Thursday 28 January: an activity day at Hanmer Springs, followed by a New Zealand Country A & P Show experience in Culverden

* Friday 29 January: Youth issues symposium: 'Making a Difference', with special guest, mountain climber Mark Inglis

* Saturday 30 January: a farewell gala dinner at Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Wigram, Christchurch.