CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "The Trust's
Financial Statements and Investment Performance Information" and "Independent
Auditors" in the Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 2002 of the
Funds constituting John Hancock Variable Series Trust I; and to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated February 8, 2002 with respect to
the financial statements and financial highlights of the Funds constituting John
Hancock Variable Series Trust I included in the annual report dated December 31,
2001, which Statement of Additional Information and Annual Report are included
in and/or incorporated by reference in the Combined Prospectus/Proxy Statement
and the Statement of Additional Information included in this Registration
Statement on Form N-14 of John Hancock Variable Series Trust I.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Financial
Highlights" for the John Hancock International Opportunities B Fund of John
Hancock Variable Series Trust I included in the Combined Prospectus/Proxy
Statement in the Registration Statement on Form N-14 of John Hancock Variable
Series Trust I.

                                                Ernst & Young LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
July 1, 2002