CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" in the Prospectus dated May 1, 2001 of the Portfolios constituting
John Hancock Declaration Trust and "Independent Auditors" and "Financial
Statements" in the Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 2001 of the
Portfolios constituting John Hancock Declaration Trust; and "Financial
Statements" in the Statement of Additional Information dated November 1, 2001 of
John Hancock V.A. Strategic Income Fund and John Hancock V.A. Financial
Industries Fund; and to the incorporation by reference of our report dated
February 9, 2001 with respect to the financial statements and financial
highlights of the Portfolios constituting John Hancock Declaration Trust
included in the annual report dated December 31, 2000, which Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information are incorporated by reference in to the
Combined Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the Statement of Additional Information
included in this Registration Statement on Form N-14 of John Hancock Declaration
Trust.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Financial Highlights" for the John Hancock V.A. High Yield Bond Fund, John
Hancock V.A. Strategic Income Fund, John Hancock V.A. Regional Bank Fund, and
John Hancock V.A. Financial Industries Fund in the Combined Prospectus/Proxy
Statement in the Registration Statement on Form N-14 of John Hancock Declaration
Trust.


                                               /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                               --------------------
                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
September 13, 2001