e485bpos

Fund summary

John Hancock

Investment objective

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 14 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 55 to 58 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”


Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)	Class A			Class B		Class C

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price		4.50			—		—

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less		1.00 (on purchases of $1 million or more	)		5.00		1.00

Annual fund operating expenses (%)

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class A

Class B

Class C

Management fee

0.50

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

0.30

1.00

Other expenses¹

0.21

Total annual fund operating expenses

1.01

1.71

Contractual expense reimbursement²

−0.06

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

0.95

1.65


1		“Other expenses” reflects a change in the contractual transfer agency and service agreement effective July 1, 2010.
2		The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total operating expenses at 0.95%, 1.65% and 1.65% for Class A, B and C shares, respectively, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, litigation and extraordinary expenses. These expense limitations shall remain in effect until September 30, 2011.

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time period indicated (Kept column) and then a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:


Expenses ($)	Class A			Class B			Class C

Shares		Sold	Kept		Sold	Kept		Sold	Kept

1 Year		543	543		668	168		268	168

3 Years		751	751		833	533		533	533

5 Years		977	977		1,123	923		923	923

10 Years		1,625	1,625		1,829	1,829		2,014	2,014

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard &

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

Poor’s Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in securities rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

The fund may buy bonds of any maturity. If a bond’s credit rating falls, the fund does not have to sell it unless the subadviser determines a sale is in the fund’s best interest. The fund may engage in derivative transactions that include futures contracts on debt securities and debt securities indices; options on futures, debt securities and debt indices; and inverse floating rate securities, in each case, for the purposes of reducing risk and/or enhancing investment returns.

The subadviser looks for bonds that are undervalued, based on both broad and security-specific factors, such as issuer creditworthiness, bond structure, general credit trends and the relative attractiveness of different types of issuers. The subadviser uses detailed analysis of an appropriate index to model portfolio performance and composition, then blends the macro assessment with security analysis in a comprehensive and disciplined fashion. The fund does not intend to use frequent trading as part of its strategy.

In general, the subadviser favors bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, such as a power plant (revenue bonds), as they tend to offer higher yields than general obligation bonds. The subadviser also favors bonds that have limitations on being paid off early (call protection), as this can help minimize the effect that falling interest rates may have on the fund’s yield. To the extent that the fund invests in bonds that are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the income paid by the fund may not be entirely tax-free to all investors. Investments in bonds subject to the AMT will not be counted towards the fund’s 80% investment policy.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts, options and inverse floating rate securities. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly know as junk bonds) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

The fund may hold bonds that are insured as to principal and interest payments. Because the value of an insured municipal bond depends in part on the claims-paying ability of the insurer, the fund would be subject to the risk that the insurer may be unable to pay claims filed pursuant to the coverage. The fund may hold several investments covered by one insurer, which would increase the fund’s exposure to the claims-paying ability of that insurer. In addition, insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Massachusetts’ economy is driven extensively by education, health care, financial services and high technology.

Past performance

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance, or by calling Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291 between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.


Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)



2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
11.74	4.35	9.56	6.18	4.28	3.43	3.99	2.57	−4.58	13.87

Total return The fund’s total return for the year-to-date as of June 30, 2010 was 2.61%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.39%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’08, −3.35%


Average annual total returns (%)	1 Year		5 Year		10 Year

as of 12-31-09

Class A before tax		8.71		2.74		4.94

After tax on distributions		8.66		2.73		4.92

After tax on distributions, with sale		7.19		2.92		4.88

Class B before tax		8.08		2.62		4.83

Class C before tax		12.08		2.97		4.69

Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index		12.91		4.32		5.75

Investment management

Investment adviser John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadviser MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC

Portfolio management

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA

Vice president

Served on fund team from 1988–2002 and rejoined in 2005

Dianne M. Sales, CFA

Vice president

Joined fund team in 1995

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum initial investment requirement for Class A, B and C shares of the fund is $2,500, except for Coverdell ESAs it is $2,000 and group investments it is $250. There are no subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day through our Web site: www.jhfunds.com; by mail: Mutual Fund Operations, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913; or by telephone: 1-800-225-5291.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

Fund details

Investment strategies

In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the fund invests primarily in Massachusetts municipal debt obligations of any maturity. Most of the fund’s assets are investment grade at the time of purchase, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in high yield bonds rated as low as BB/Ba or their unrated equivalents. In managing the fund, the subadviser seeks debt obligations that it considers undervalued, including bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, and bonds that have call protection. The fund may invest in bonds that are subject to AMT. The fund may invest in derivatives, including futures contracts, options and inverse floating rate securities.

In unusual circumstances, the fund can invest more than 20% of its net assets in taxable investment-grade short-term securities as a temporary defensive measure. In these and other cases, the fund might not achieve its investment objective.

Risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund’s overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager’s ability to pursue the fund’s investment objective is subject to management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the subadviser to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Changing distribution levels risk

The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce its distribution level if the income and/or dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see “Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk”), or a borrower of a fund’s securities, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund’s share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign governments, or their sub-divisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by S&P, or determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their sub-divisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: their issuers’ continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Fixed-income securities risk

Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest-rate risk and (b) credit quality risk.

Interest-rate risk. Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-income securities generally can be expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest-rate risk.

Credit quality risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security, the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a decrease in the value of the fund’s investments. Funds that may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly referred to as “junk” securities, are riskier than funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities. Additional information on the risks of investing in investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth below.

Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category risk. Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category (rated “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P and comparable unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and interest, such securities lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well. For example, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher-grade securities.

Prepayment of principal. Many types of debt securities, including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Securities subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains when the credit quality of the issuer improves.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund’s securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund’s initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include futures contracts, options and inverse floating rate securities. Derivatives may relate to bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party’s consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund’s risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

transactions appears in the SAI. To the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk

Lower-rated fixed-income securities are defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated “Ba” and below by Moody’s, and “BB” and below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks of investing in these securities are as follows:


	•	Risk to principal and income. Investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.

	•	Price volatility. The price of lower-rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.

	•	Liquidity. The market for lower-rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.

	•	Dependence on subadviser’s own credit analysis. While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadviser’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher-rated securities.

Municipal bond risk

With general obligation bonds, which are backed by the municipal issuer’s ability to levy taxes, the main risk is that the issuer’s overall credit quality will decline. In extreme cases, a municipal issuer could declare bankruptcy or otherwise become unable to honor its commitments to bondholders. Although rare, this can be prompted by many possible reasons, ranging from fiscal mismanagement to erosion of the tax base. With revenue bonds, which are backed only by income associated with a specific facility (such as a power plant or stadium), the risk is generally higher, because any circumstance that reduces or threatens the economic viability of that particular facility can affect the bond’s credit quality.

In addition, since there are a limited number of municipal obligation insurers, the fund may have several investments covered by one insurer. Accordingly, this may make the value of those investments dependent on the claims paying ability of that one insurer and could result in increased share price volatility for the fund’s shares. In addition, a ratings agency’s downgrade of the claims-paying ability of companies that provide bond insurance may affect the value of those securities.

State-specific risk

Although the fund invests mainly in investment-grade bonds, which generally have a relatively low level of credit risk, any factors that might lead to a credit decline statewide would be likely to cause widespread decline in the credit quality of the fund’s holdings. Massachusetts’ economy is relatively diverse, based on education, healthcare, financial services and high technology. The Commonwealth has a degree of job stability and an educated work force due to its large concentration of colleges and universities, but the high cost of doing business in Massachusetts may serve as an impediment to job creation.

Who’s who

Following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund’s investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund’s business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund’s operations. Change in its 80% investment policy requires shareholder approval.

Investment adviser

Manages the fund’s business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The adviser’s parent company has been helping individuals and institutions since 1862. The adviser offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research, leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of June 30, 2010, the adviser had total assets under management of approximately $20 billion.

The adviser does not itself manage any of the fund’s portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting the adviser, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadviser to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily assets of the fund.


	Annual
Average Daily Net Assets	Rate




First $250 million		0	.500%

Next $250 million		0	.450%

Next $500 million		0	.425%

Next $250 million		0	.400%

Excess over $1.25 billion		0	.300%

During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid the investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.50% of net assets.

Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees of the subadviser.

The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the fund’s November 30, 2009 semiannual shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund’s annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund’s “Annual fund operating expenses” table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

Subadviser

Handles the fund’s day-to-day portfolio management.

MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199

MFC Global (U.S.) provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of June 30, 2010, had total assets under management of approximately $39 billion.

Following are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the fund’s investment management team, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more details about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA


•	Vice president


•	Served on fund team from 1988–2002 and rejoined in 2005


•	Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (August 2005–December 2005)


•	Senior fixed-income trader, Columbia Management Group (2002–2005)

•	Began business career in 1982

Dianne M. Sales, CFA


•	Vice president

•	Joined fund team in 1995


•	Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1989–2005)


•	Began business career in 1984

Custodian

Holds the fund’s assets, settles all portfolio trades and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund’s net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Financial highlights

These tables detail the financial performance of each share class described in this prospectus, including total return information showing how much an investment in the fund has increased or decreased each year.

The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2010, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The report of PwC is included, along with the fund’s financial statements, in the fund’s annual report, which has been incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon request.


John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Class A Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$12.10			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87			$12.75

Net investment income²		0.49			0.38			0.51			0.53			0.53			0.54

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.46			(0.17	)		(0.08	)		(0.27	)		(0.24	)		0.11

Total from investment operations		0.95			0.21			0.43			0.26			0.29			0.65

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.49	)		(0.39	)		(0.50	)		(0.52	)		(0.52	)		(0.53	)

From net realized gain		(0.03	)		—	³		(0.02	)		(0.01	)		—	³		—

Total distributions		(0.52	)		(0.39	)		(0.52	)		(0.53	)		(0.52	)		(0.53	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.53			$12.10			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87

Total return⁴ (%)		8.04	⁵		1.84	⁶		3.55	⁵		2.02	⁵		2.38	⁵		5.21



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$105			$95			$97			$80			$78			$76

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.00			1.09	^7,8		0.98			0.98			0.99			1.04

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.00			1.09	^7,8		0.98			0.98			0.99			1.04

Expenses net of fee waivers and credits		1.00			1.09	^7,8		0.97			0.98			0.99			1.04

Net investment income		4.00			4.39	⁸		4.08			4.16			4.19			4.20

Portfolio turnover (%)		10			17			22			25			15			26


John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Class B Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$12.09			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87			$12.75

Net investment income²		0.41			0.32			0.42			0.44			0.44			0.45

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.46			(0.19	)		(0.08	)		(0.27	)		(0.24	)		0.11

Total from investment operations		0.87			0.13			0.34			0.17			0.20			0.56

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.40	)		(0.32	)		(0.41	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)

From net realized gain		(0.03	)		—	³		(0.02	)		(0.01	)		—	³		—

Total distributions		(0.43	)		(0.32	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.53			$12.09			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87

Total return⁴ (%)		7.37	⁵		1.22	⁶		2.83	⁵		1.31	⁵		1.67	⁵		4.48



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$5			$7			$10			$12			$17			$20

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.68			1.68			1.69			1.74

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.68			1.68			1.69			1.74

Expenses net of fee waivers and credits		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.67			1.68			1.69			1.74

Net investment income		3.29			3.69	⁸		3.39			3.46			3.49			3.50

Portfolio turnover (%)		10			17			22			25			15			26

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Financial highlights, continued


John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund Class C Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$12.10			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87			$12.75

Net investment income²		0.41			0.32			0.42			0.44			0.44			0.45

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.45			(0.18	)		(0.08	)		(0.27	)		(0.24	)		0.11

Total from investment operations		0.86			0.14			0.34			0.17			0.20			0.56

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.40	)		(0.32	)		(0.41	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)

From net realized gain		(0.03	)		—	³		(0.02	)		(0.01	)		—	³		—

Total distributions		(0.43	)		(0.32	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)		(0.43	)		(0.44	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.53			$12.10			$12.28			$12.37			$12.64			$12.87

Total return⁴ (%)		7.29	⁵		1.31	⁶		2.83	⁵		1.31	⁵		1.67	⁵		4.48



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$19			$14			$12			$10			$11			$8

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.68			1.68			1.69			1.74

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.68			1.68			1.69			1.74

Expenses net of fee waivers and credits		1.70			1.79	^7,8		1.67			1.68			1.69			1.74

Net investment income		3.30			3.67	⁸		3.38			3.46			3.48			3.49

Portfolio turnover (%)		10			17			22			25			15			26


1		For the nine-month period ended May 31, 2009. The fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to May 31.


2		Based on the average daily shares outstanding.


3		Less than $0.005 per share.


4		Assumes dividend reinvestment (if applicable).


5		Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.


6		Not annualized.


7		Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross and net expense ratios was 0.04%.


8		Annualized.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Your account

Choosing a share class

Each share class has its own cost structure, including a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution and service of its shares. Your financial representative can help you decide which share class is best for you.

Class A


•	A front-end sales charge, as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.30%.

Class B


•	No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.

•	A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”

•	Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, thus reducing future annual expenses.

Class C


•	No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.

•	A 1.00% CDSC on shares sold within one year of purchase.

•	No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual expenses continue at the Class C level throughout the life of your investment.

The maximum amount you may invest in Class B shares with any single purchase request is $99,999.99, and the maximum amount you may invest in Class C shares with any single purchase is $999,999.99. John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), the transfer agent for the fund, may accept a purchase request for Class B shares for $100,000 or more, or for Class C shares for $1,000,000 or more when the purchase is pursuant to the Reinstatement Privilege (see “Sales charge reductions and waivers”).

12b-1 fees

Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund’s distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.

Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisers, financial planners and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:


•	directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and

•	indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.

Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and 12b-1 fees out of the distributor’s own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” These payments assist in the distributor’s efforts to promote the sale of the fund’s shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund’s net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor’s marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor’s revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Rollover program compensation

The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a), or described in Section 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), that is funded by certain group annuity contracts issued by John Hancock insurance companies, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock-sponsored custodial IRA or a John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid from a fund’s 12b-1 fees to the plan’s broker-dealer of record at an annual rate not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. A John Hancock insurance company may also pay the third-party administrator for the plan a one-time nominal fee not expected to exceed $25 per participant rollover into a John Hancock fund for facilitating the transaction.

How sales charges are calculated

Class A sales charges are as follows:


	As a % of			As a % of
Your investment	offering price*			your investment




Up to $99,999		4	.50%		4	.71%

$100,000–$249,999		3	.75%		3	.90%

$250,000–$499,999		3	.00%		3	.09%

$500,000–$999,999		2	.00%		2	.04%

$1,000,000 and over		See below


*		Offering price is the net asset value per share plus any initial sales charge.

You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing Class A, B, C, T, ADV, all R, I2 or I shares of a John Hancock open-end mutual fund. To receive the reduced sales charge, you must tell your broker or financial representative at the time you purchase the fund’s Class A shares about any other John Hancock mutual funds held by you, your spouse or your children under the age of 21 living in the same household. This includes investments held in an individual retirement account or with a broker or financial representative other than the one handling your current purchase. John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. You may need to provide documentation for these accounts, such as an account statement. For more information about these reduced sales charges, you may visit the fund’s Web site at www.jhfunds.com. You may also consult your broker or financial adviser, or refer to the section entitled “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares” in the fund’s SAI. You may request an SAI from your broker or financial adviser, by accessing the fund’s Web site at www.jhfunds.com or by calling Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.

Investments of $1 million or more

Class A shares are available with no front-end sales charge on investments of $1 million or more. There is a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any Class A shares upon which a commission or finder’s fee was paid that are sold within one year of purchase, as follows:

Class A deferred charges on investments of $1 million or more


	CDSC on shares
Your investment	being sold




First $1M–$4,999,999		1	.00%

Next $1–$5M above that		0	.50%

Next $1 or more above that		0	.25%

For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to a CDSC.

Class B and Class C

Shares are offered at their net asset value per share, without any initial sales charge.

A CDSC may be charged if a commission has been paid and you sell Class B or Class C shares within a certain time after you bought them, as described in the tables below. There is no CDSC on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. The CDSC is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. The CDSCs are as follows:

Class B deferred charges


Years after purchase	CDSC




1^st year		5	.00%

2^nd year		4	.00%

3^rd or 4^th year		3	.00%

5^th year		2	.00%

6^th year		1	.00%

After 6^th year		None

Class C deferred charges


Years after purchase	CDSC




1^st year		1	.00%

After 1^st year		None

For purposes of these CDSCs, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, we will first sell any shares in your account that carry no CDSC. If there are not enough of these shares to meet your request, we will sell those shares that have the lowest CDSC.

Sales charge reductions and waivers

Reducing your Class A sales charges

There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of shares of John Hancock funds to take advantage of the breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. The first three ways can be combined in any manner.


•	Accumulation Privilege — lets you add the value of any class of shares of any John Hancock open-end fund you already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of calculating the sales charge. However, Class A shares of money market funds will not qualify unless you have already paid a sales charge on those shares.

•	Letter of Intention — lets you purchase Class A shares of a fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once. You can use a Letter of Intention to qualify for reduced sales charges if you plan to invest at least $100,000 in a John Hancock fund’s Class A and Class T shares during the next 13 months. The calculation of this amount would include accumulations and combinations as well as your current holdings of all classes of John Hancock funds, which include any reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. However, Class A shares of money market funds will be excluded unless you have already paid a sales charge. When you sign this letter, the fund agrees to charge you the reduced sales charges. Completing a Letter of Intention does not obligate you to purchase additional shares. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the lower sales charges by the earlier of the end of the 13-month period or when you sell your shares, your sales charges will be recalculated to reflect your actual

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account


	purchase level. Also available for individual retirement plan investors is a 48-month Letter of Intention, described in the SAI.


•	Combination Privilege — lets you combine shares of all funds for purposes of calculating the Class A sales charge.

To utilize any reduction, you must complete the appropriate section of your application, or contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Group investment program

A group may be treated as a single purchaser under the accumulation and combination privileges. Each investor has an individual account, but the group’s investments are lumped together for sales charge purposes, making the investors potentially eligible for reduced sales charges. There is no charge or obligation to invest (although initial investments per account opened must satisfy minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section entitled “Opening an account”), and individual investors may close their accounts at any time.

To utilize this program, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services to find out how to qualify. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

CDSC waivers

As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for each share class will be waived in the following cases:


•	to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans

•	certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions^SM programs

•	redemptions pursuant to the fund’s right to liquidate an account less than the stated minimum in the section “Opening an account”

•	redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception of a retirement plan at John Hancock

•	to make certain distributions from a retirement plan

•	because of shareholder death or disability

•	rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Reinstatement privilege

If you sell shares of a John Hancock fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds back into the same share class of the same fund and account from which it was removed, within 120 days without a sales charge, subject to fund minimums, as long as Signature Services or your financial representative is notified before you reinvest. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. Consult the SAI for additional details.

To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Waivers for certain investors

Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or CDSCs to the following individuals and institutions:


•	selling brokers and their employees and sales representatives (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

•	financial representatives utilizing fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based or wrap investment products under a signed agreement with the distributor

•	fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with these or other John Hancock funds, including employees of John Hancock companies or Manulife Financial Corporation (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

•	individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA

•	individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA

•	individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SAR-SEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the original account type from which it was converted

•	participants in certain 529 plans that have a signed agreement with the distributor (one-year CDSC may apply)

•	participants in certain retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees (one-year CDSC applies)

•	certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions^SM programs

•	terminating participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) assets held in a pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments

•	participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments

•	individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Other waivers

Front-end sales charges and CDSCs are not imposed in connection with the following transactions:


•	exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any other John Hancock fund (see “Transaction policies” in this prospectus for additional details)

•	dividend reinvestments (see “Dividends and account policies” in this prospectus for additional details)

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Opening an account


1	Read this prospectus carefully.

2	Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment for Class A, B and C shares of the fund is $2,500 except as follows:


	•	Coverdell ESAs: $2,000

	•	there is no minimum initial investment for certain group retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods of payment

	•	group investments: $250

	•	there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap agreement with the distributor


3	All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, contact your financial representative or call Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.

4	Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional application if you want to add privileges later.

5	Make your initial investment using the instructions under “Buying shares.” You and your financial representative can initiate any purchase, exchange or sale of shares.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

For individual investors opening an account When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.

For investors other than individuals When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Buying shares


Opening an account		Adding to an account

By check
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.” • Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).		• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.” • Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. • Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).




By exchange
• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.		• Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between funds. • Call EASI-Line for automated service.
		• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.




By wire
• Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services. • Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services. • Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services. • Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.		• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services. • Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.




By Internet
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”		• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. • Complete the “Bank information” section on your account application. • Log on to the Web site below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.




By phone
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”		• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system. • Complete the “To purchase, exchange or redeem shares via telephone” and “Bank information” sections on your account application. • Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days. To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see “Additional investor services.”



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Selling shares


		To sell some or all of your shares

By letter
• Accounts of any type. • Sales of any amount.		• Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell. • Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page). • Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below). • A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.




By Internet
• Most accounts. • Sales of up to $100,000.		• Log on to the Web site below to initiate redemptions from your fund.




By phone
• Most accounts. • Sales of up to $100,000.		• Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days.




By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• Requests by letter to sell any amount. • Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.		• To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services. • Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge you a fee for this service. • Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.




By exchange
• Accounts of any type. • Sales of any amount.		• Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund’s Web site by Internet, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services. • Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between your funds. • Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange. To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see “Additional investor services.”



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Selling shares in writing

In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:


•	your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

•	you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock); or

•	you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).

You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.


Seller		Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)		• Letter of instruction. • On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or association accounts		• Letter of instruction. • Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form. • On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Owners or trustees of trust accounts		• Letter of instruction. • On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s). • Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)		• Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s). • Copy of death certificate. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above). • Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.




Executors of shareholder estates		• Letter of instruction signed by executor. • Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above). • Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.




Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or account types not listed above		• Call Signature Services for instructions.



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Transaction policies

The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Except as noted below, securities held by the fund are primarily valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investment companies held by the fund are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or do not accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund’s Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security’s fair value may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.

In deciding whether to fair value a security, the fund’s Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:

in the case of foreign securities:


	•	developments in foreign markets,

	•	the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of trading in the market and

	•	the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.

in the case of fixed-income securities:


	•	actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.

in the case of all securities:


	•	political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded,

	•	announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry and

	•	events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets).

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund’s NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund’s portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material. With respect to any portion of a fund’s assets that is invested in another open-end investment company, that portion of the fund’s NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that investment company. The prospectus for the other investment company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that other investment company.

If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund’s shares.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, plus any applicable sales charges, as described earlier. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Telephone transactions

For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Exchanges

You may exchange shares of a class of the fund for shares of the same class of any other John Hancock fund that is then offering that class, generally without paying any sales charges. The registration for both accounts must be identical.

Class B and C shares will continue to age from the original date and will retain the same CDSC rate. A CDSC rate that has increased will drop again with a future exchange into a fund with a lower rate.

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days’ written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see “Additional services and programs” in the SAI (see back cover of this prospectus).

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder’s financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific “Limitation on exchange activity,” as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund’s best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund’s judgment, such delay would be in the fund’s best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund’s NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund’s shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund’s ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under “Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices” below. Depending upon the composition of the fund’s shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund’s shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund’s underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisers, brokers, retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients’ transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund’s request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund’s policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund’s ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio and may result in the fund

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund’s operating costs and decrease the fund’s investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:


•	A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of securities” entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

•	A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

•	A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in municipal securities, including below investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of securities” incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund’s portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an account holder’s identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV minus any applicable sales charges and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power and a signature guarantee.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Eligibility by state

You may only invest in, or exchange into, fund shares legally available in your state.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:


•	after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment, automatic investment or systematic withdrawal) that affects your account balance

•	after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

•	in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by January 31.

Dividends

The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Most of the fund’s dividends are income dividends. Your dividends begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and continues through the day your shares are actually sold.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

Taxability of dividends

The fund intends to meet certain federal tax requirements so that distributions of the tax-exempt interest it earns may be treated as “exempt-interest dividends.” However, any portion of exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on private activity bonds may increase certain shareholders’ alternative minimum tax. Dividends from the fund’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund’s long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund’s holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December. A portion of the fund’s exempt-interest dividends is also expected to be exempt from Massachusetts personal income tax when received by individual shareholders of the fund who are subject to Massachusetts personal income tax.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund’s distributions exceed its taxable and tax-exempt interest income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

shareholder’s cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Small accounts

If the value of your account is less than $2,500 you may be asked to purchase more shares within 30 days. If you do not take action, the fund may close out your account and mail you the proceeds. Alternatively, the fund may charge you $20 a year to maintain your account. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason.

Additional investor services

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program

MAAP lets you set up regular investments from paychecks or bank accounts to the John Hancock fund(s). Investors determine the frequency and amount of investments ($25 minimum per month), and they can terminate the program at any time. To establish, you must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section “Opening an account” and complete the appropriate parts of the account application.

Systematic withdrawal plan

This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic withdrawals from your account. To establish:


•	Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your account.

•	Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of sales charges).

•	Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.

•	Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually or in certain selected months.

•	Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your financial representative or Signature Services.

Retirement plans

John Hancock funds offers a range of retirement plans, including traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE plans and SEPs. Using these plans, you can invest in any John Hancock fund (except tax-free income funds). To find out more, call Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.

John Hancock does not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; does not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your existing John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; and requires additional disclosure documentation if you direct John Hancock to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b)(7) contract or account. In addition, the fund no longer accepts salary deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts. Please refer to the SAI for more information regarding these restrictions.

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the Web site, www.jhfunds.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal year and on Form N-CSR as of the second and fourth quarters of the fund’s fiscal year. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/Semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditors’ report (in annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund’s policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:

Online: www.jhfunds.com


By mail:	John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913

By EASI-Line: 1-800-338-8080

By phone: 1-800-225-5291

By TDD: 1-800-554-6713

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: www.sec.gov

By e-mail (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov


By mail (duplicating fee required):	Public Reference Section Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, DC 20549-0102

In person: at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call 1-800-732-0330.

John Hancock Funds, LLC

MEMBER FINRA | SIPC

601 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210-2805

www.jhfunds.com

Electronic delivery now available at

www.jhfunds.com/edelivery

Fund summary

John Hancock

New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Investment objective

To seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal, New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

Fees and expenses


Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)	Class A			Class B		Class C

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price		4.50			—		—

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less		1.00 (on purchases of $1 million or more	)		5.00		1.00

Annual fund operating expenses (%)

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class A

Class B

Class C

Management fee

0.50

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

0.30

1.00

Other expenses¹

0.29

Total annual fund operating expenses

1.09

1.79

Contractual expense reimbursement²

−0.15

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

0.94

1.64


1		“Other expenses” reflects a change in the contractual transfer agency and service agreement effective July 1, 2010.
2		The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total operating expenses at 0.94%, 1.64% and 1.64% for Class A, B and C shares, respectively, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest, litigation and extraordinary expenses. These expense limitations shall remain in effect until September 30, 2011.

Expense example


Expenses ($)	Class A			Class B			Class C

Shares		Sold	Kept		Sold	Kept		Sold	Kept

1 Year		542	542		667	167		267	167

3 Years		767	767		849	549		549	549

5 Years		1,010	1,010		1,156	956		956	956

10 Years		1,706	1,706		1,909	1,909		2,093	2,093

Portfolio turnover

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus amounts borrowed for investment purposes, in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and New York personal income taxes. Most of these securities have credit ratings of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

Corporation (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) when purchased, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in bonds rated as low as BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s or their unrated equivalents. Bonds that are rated at or below BB by S&P or Ba by Moody’s are considered junk bonds.

Principal risks

The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Changing distribution levels risk The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.

Municipal bond risk Municipal bond prices can decline due to fiscal mismanagement or tax shortfalls. Revenue bond prices can decline if related projects become unprofitable.

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

State-specific risk Because the fund invests mainly in bonds from a single state, its performance is affected by local, state and regional factors. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal issuers. Though large and diversified, New York’s economy is heavily influenced by the high-wage financial services industry.

Past performance

Average annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.


Calendar year total returns — Class A (%)



2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
13.10	3.80	8.60	4.39	4.43	3.16	4.68	1.40	−4.01	13.18

Total return The fund’s total return for the year-to-date as of June 30, 2010 was 3.25%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.21%

Worst quarter: Q2 ’04, −2.45%


Average annual total returns (%)	1 Year		5 Year		10 Year

as of 12-31-09

Class A before tax		8.12		2.59		4.68

After tax on distributions		8.12		2.59		4.68

After tax on distributions, with sale		6.81		2.80		4.67

Class B before tax		7.39		2.47		4.57

Class C before tax		11.40		2.81		4.43

Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index		12.91		4.32		5.75

Investment management

Investment adviser John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadviser MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC

Portfolio management

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA

Vice president

Served on fund team from 1988–2002 and rejoined in 2005

Dianne M. Sales, CFA

Vice president

Joined fund team in 1995

Purchase and sale of fund shares

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund summary

Fund details

Investment strategies

In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the fund invests primarily in New York State and New York City municipal debt obligations of any maturity. Most of the fund’s assets are investment grade at time of purchase, but the fund may invest up to 33% of its net assets in high yield bonds rated as low as BB/Ba or their unrated equivalents. In managing the fund, the subadviser seeks debt obligations that it considers undervalued, including bonds backed by revenue from a specific public project or facility, and bonds that have call protection. The fund may invest in bonds that are subject to AMT. The fund may invest in derivatives, including futures contracts, options and inverse floating rate securities.

Risks of investing

Active management risk

Changing distribution levels risk

Credit and counterparty risk

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Fixed-income securities risk

Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest-rate risk and (b) credit quality risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

transactions appears in the SAI. To the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk


	•	Risk to principal and income. Investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.

	•	Price volatility. The price of lower-rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.

	•	Liquidity. The market for lower-rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.

	•	Dependence on subadviser’s own credit analysis. While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadviser’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher-rated securities.

Municipal bond risk

State-specific risk

Although the fund invests mainly in investment-grade bonds, which generally have a relatively low level of credit risk, any factors that might lead to a credit decline statewide would be likely to cause widespread decline in the credit quality of the fund’s holdings. New York’s economy, while diverse, has a relatively large share of the nation’s financial activities. As a result, the State’s economy is especially vulnerable to adverse events affecting the financial markets, such as those that occurred in 2008 and 2009.

Who’s who

Following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund’s investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund’s business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund’s operations. Change in its 80% investment policy requires shareholder approval.

Investment adviser

Manages the fund’s business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

Management fee

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details


	Annual
Average Daily Net Assets	Rate




First $250 million		0	.500%

Next $250 million		0	.450%

Next $500 million		0	.425%

Next $250 million		0	.400%

Excess over $1.25 billion		0	.300%

During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid the investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.50% of net assets.

Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees of the subadviser.

Additional information about fund expenses

Subadviser

Handles the fund’s day-to-day portfolio management.

MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA


•	Vice president


•	Served on fund team from 1988–2002 and rejoined in 2005


•	Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (August 2005–December 2005)


•	Senior fixed-income trader, Columbia Management Group (2002–2005)

•	Began business career in 1982

Dianne M. Sales, CFA


•	Vice president

•	Joined fund team in 1995


•	Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1989–2005)


•	Began business career in 1984

Custodian

Holds the fund’s assets, settles all portfolio trades and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund’s net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Financial highlights


John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Class A Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61			$12.46

Net investment income²		0.51			0.38			0.51			0.52			0.52			0.52

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.60			(0.36	)		(0.07	)		(0.37	)		(0.21	)		0.15

Total from investment operations		1.11			0.02			0.44			0.15			0.31			0.67

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.51	)		(0.38	)		(0.51	)		(0.52	)		(0.52	)		(0.52	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.20			$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61

Total return³ (%)		9.71	⁴		0.28	⁵		3.73	⁴		1.18	⁴		2.54	⁴		5.50



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$54			$46			$44			$40			$43			$44

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.10			1.19	^6,7		1.04			1.03			1.03			1.06

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.10			1.19	^6,7		1.04			1.03			1.03			1.06

Net investment income		4.27			4.50	⁶		4.28			4.22			4.20			4.18

Portfolio turnover (%)		7			22			25			17			32			25


John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Class B Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61			$12.46

Net investment income²		0.42			0.32			0.43			0.43			0.43			0.43

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.61			(0.36	)		(0.07	)		(0.37	)		(0.21	)		0.15

Total from investment operations		1.03			(0.04	)		0.36			0.06			0.22			0.58

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.42	)		(0.32	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.21			$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61

Total return³ (%)		9.03	⁴		(0.24	)⁵		3.01	⁴		0.48	⁴		1.83	⁴		4.77



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$3			$6			$8			$11			$14			$17

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.80			1.89	^6,7		1.74			1.73			1.73			1.76

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.80			1.89	^6,7		1.74			1.73			1.73			1.76

Net investment income		3.57			3.80	⁶		3.57			3.52			3.50			3.48

Portfolio turnover (%)		7			22			25			17			32			25

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Financial highlights, continued


John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund Class C Shares
Per share operating performance period ended	5-31-10			5-31-09¹			8-31-08			8-31-07			8-31-06			8-31-05

Net asset value, beginning of year		$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61			$12.46

Net investment income²		0.43			0.32			0.43			0.43			0.43			0.43

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		0.60			(0.36	)		(0.07	)		(0.37	)		(0.21	)		0.15

Total from investment operations		1.03			(0.04	)		0.36			0.06			0.22			0.58

Less distributions

From net investment income		(0.42	)		(0.32	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)		(0.43	)

Net asset value, end of year		$12.21			$11.60			$11.96			$12.03			$12.40			$12.61

Total return³ (%)		9.04	⁴		(0.24	)⁵		3.01	⁴		0.48	⁴		1.83	⁴		4.77



Ratios and supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (in millions)		$8			$6			$3			$4			$3			$5

Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):

Expenses before reductions		1.80			1.89	^6,7		1.74			1.73			1.73			1.76

Expenses net of fee waivers		1.80			1.89	^6,7		1.74			1.73			1.73			1.76

Net investment income		3.56			3.79	⁶		3.57			3.51			3.50			3.48

Portfolio turnover (%)		7			22			25			17			32			25


1		For the nine-month period ended May 31, 2009. The fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to May 31.


2		Based on the average daily shares outstanding.


3		Assumes dividend reinvestment (if applicable).


4		Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.


5		Not annualized.


6		Annualized.


7		Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross and net expense ratios was 0.04%.

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Fund details

Your account

Choosing a share class

Class A


•	A front-end sales charge, as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.30%.

Class B


•	No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.

•	A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”

•	Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, thus reducing future annual expenses.

Class C


•	No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.

•	Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.

•	A 1.00% CDSC on shares sold within one year of purchase.

•	No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual expenses continue at the Class C level throughout the life of your investment.

12b-1 fees

Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.

Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries


•	directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and

•	indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.

Rollover program compensation

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

How sales charges are calculated

Class A sales charges are as follows:


	As a % of			As a % of
Your investment	offering price*			your investment




Up to $99,999		4	.50%		4	.71%

$100,000–$249,999		3	.75%		3	.90%

$250,000–$499,999		3	.00%		3	.09%

$500,000–$999,999		2	.00%		2	.04%

$1,000,000 and over		See below


*		Offering price is the net asset value per share plus any initial sales charge.

Investments of $1 million or more

Class A deferred charges on investments of $1 million or more


	CDSC on shares
Your investment	being sold




First $1M–$4,999,999		1	.00%

Next $1–$5M above that		0	.50%

Next $1 or more above that		0	.25%

For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

Class B and Class C

Shares are offered at their net asset value per share, without any initial sales charge.

Class B deferred charges


Years after purchase	CDSC




1^st year		5	.00%

2^nd year		4	.00%

3^rd or 4^th year		3	.00%

5^th year		2	.00%

6^th year		1	.00%

After 6^th year		None

Class C deferred charges


Years after purchase	CDSC




1^st year		1	.00%

After 1^st year		None

For purposes of these CDSCs, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

Sales charge reductions and waivers

Reducing your Class A sales charges


•	Accumulation Privilege — lets you add the value of any class of shares of any John Hancock open-end fund you already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of calculating the sales charge. However, Class A shares of money market funds will not qualify unless you have already paid a sales charge on those shares.

•	Letter of Intention — lets you purchase Class A shares of a fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once. You can use a Letter of Intention to qualify for reduced sales charges if you plan to invest at least $100,000 in a John Hancock fund’s Class A and Class T shares during the next 13 months. The calculation of this amount would include accumulations and combinations as well as your current holdings of all classes of John Hancock funds, which include any reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. However, Class A shares of money market funds will be excluded unless you have already paid a sales charge. When you sign this letter, the fund agrees to charge you the reduced sales charges. Completing a Letter of Intention does not obligate you to purchase additional shares. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the lower sales charges by the earlier of the end of the 13-month period or when you sell your shares, your sales charges will be recalculated to reflect your actual

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account


	purchase level. Also available for individual retirement plan investors is a 48-month Letter of Intention, described in the SAI.


•	Combination Privilege — lets you combine shares of all funds for purposes of calculating the Class A sales charge.

Group investment program

CDSC waivers

As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for each share class will be waived in the following cases:


•	to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans

•	certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions^SM programs

•	redemptions pursuant to the fund’s right to liquidate an account less than the stated minimum in the section “Opening an account”

•	redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception of a retirement plan at John Hancock

•	to make certain distributions from a retirement plan

•	because of shareholder death or disability

•	rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Reinstatement privilege

To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Waivers for certain investors

Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or CDSCs to the following individuals and institutions:


•	selling brokers and their employees and sales representatives (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

•	financial representatives utilizing fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based or wrap investment products under a signed agreement with the distributor

•	fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with these or other John Hancock funds, including employees of John Hancock companies or Manulife Financial Corporation (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

•	individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA

•	individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA

•	individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SAR-SEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the original account type from which it was converted

•	participants in certain 529 plans that have a signed agreement with the distributor (one-year CDSC may apply)

•	participants in certain retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees (one-year CDSC applies)

•	certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions^SM programs

•	terminating participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) assets held in a pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments

•	participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments

•	individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Other waivers

Front-end sales charges and CDSCs are not imposed in connection with the following transactions:


•	exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any other John Hancock fund (see “Transaction policies” in this prospectus for additional details)

•	dividend reinvestments (see “Dividends and account policies” in this prospectus for additional details)

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Opening an account


1	Read this prospectus carefully.

2	Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment for Class A, B and C shares of the fund is $2,500 except as follows:


	•	Coverdell ESAs: $2,000

	•	there is no minimum initial investment for certain group retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods of payment

	•	group investments: $250

	•	there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap agreement with the distributor


3	All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, contact your financial representative or call Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.

4	Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional application if you want to add privileges later.

5	Make your initial investment using the instructions under “Buying shares.” You and your financial representative can initiate any purchase, exchange or sale of shares.

Important information about opening a new account

For individual investors opening an account When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Buying shares


Opening an account		Adding to an account

By check
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.” • Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).		• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.” • Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. • Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).




By exchange
• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.		• Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between funds. • Call EASI-Line for automated service.
		• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.




By wire
• Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services. • Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services. • Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services. • Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.		• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services. • Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.




By Internet
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”		• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. • Complete the “Bank information” section on your account application. • Log on to the Web site below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.




By phone
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”		• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system. • Complete the “To purchase, exchange or redeem shares via telephone” and “Bank information” sections on your account application. • Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days. To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see “Additional investor services.”



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Selling shares


		To sell some or all of your shares

By letter
• Accounts of any type. • Sales of any amount.		• Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell. • Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page). • Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below). • A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.




By Internet
• Most accounts. • Sales of up to $100,000.		• Log on to the Web site below to initiate redemptions from your fund.




By phone
• Most accounts. • Sales of up to $100,000.		• Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days.




By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• Requests by letter to sell any amount. • Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.		• To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services. • Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge you a fee for this service. • Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.




By exchange
• Accounts of any type. • Sales of any amount.		• Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund’s Web site by Internet, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services. • Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between your funds. • Call EASI-Line for automated service. • Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange. To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see “Additional investor services.”



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Selling shares in writing


•	your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

•	you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock); or

•	you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).


Seller		Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)		• Letter of instruction. • On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or association accounts		• Letter of instruction. • Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form. • On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Owners or trustees of trust accounts		• Letter of instruction. • On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s). • Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above).




Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)		• Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s). • Copy of death certificate. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above). • Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.




Executors of shareholder estates		• Letter of instruction signed by executor. • Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months. • Medallion Signature Guarantee, if applicable (see above). • Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.




Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or account types not listed above		• Call Signature Services for instructions.



Regular mail	Express delivery	Web site	EASI-Line	Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Mutual Fund Operations John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021	www.jhfunds.com	(24/7 automated service) 1-800-338-8080	1-800-225-5291

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Transaction policies

Valuation of securities

In deciding whether to fair value a security, the fund’s Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:

in the case of foreign securities:


	•	developments in foreign markets,

	•	the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of trading in the market and

	•	the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.

in the case of fixed-income securities:


	•	actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.

in the case of all securities:


	•	political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded,

	•	announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry and

	•	events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets).

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, plus any applicable sales charges, as described earlier. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.

Execution of requests

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.

Telephone transactions

Exchanges

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

Excessive trading

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Exchange limitation policies

Limitation on exchange activity

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Excessive trading risk

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:


•	A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of securities” entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

•	A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

•	A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in municipal securities, including below investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of securities” incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Account information

Certificated shares

Sales in advance of purchase payments

Eligibility by state

You may only invest in, or exchange into, fund shares legally available in your state.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:


•	after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment, automatic investment or systematic withdrawal) that affects your account balance

•	after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

•	in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by January 31.

Dividends

Dividend reinvestments

Taxability of dividends

The fund intends to meet certain federal tax requirements so that distributions of the tax-exempt interest it earns may be treated as “exempt-interest dividends.” However, any portion of exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on private activity bonds may increase certain shareholders’ alternative minimum tax. Dividends from the fund’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund’s long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund’s holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December. A portion of the fund’s exempt-interest dividends is also expected to be exempt from New York State and New York City personal income tax when received by New York resident individuals, estates and trusts otherwise subject to these taxes.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Small accounts

Additional investor services

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program

Systematic withdrawal plan

This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic withdrawals from your account. To establish:


•	Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your account.

•	Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of sales charges).

•	Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.

•	Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually or in certain selected months.

•	Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your financial representative or Signature Services.

Retirement plans

Disclosure of fund holdings

New York Tax-Free Income Fund – Your account

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/Semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditors’ report (in annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information

To obtain a free copy of these documents

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:

Online: www.jhfunds.com


By mail:	John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913

By EASI-Line: 1-800-338-8080

By phone: 1-800-225-5291

By TDD: 1-800-554-6713

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: www.sec.gov

By e-mail (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov


By mail (duplicating fee required):	Public Reference Section Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, DC 20549-0102

In person: at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call 1-800-732-0330.

John Hancock Funds, LLC

MEMBER FINRA | SIPC

601 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210-2805

www.jhfunds.com

Electronic delivery now available at

www.jhfunds.com/edelivery

ORGANIZATION OF THE FUNDS

Each Fund is a series of the Trust, which is an open-end investment management company reorganized in July 1996 as Massachusetts business trusts under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) is each Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (“Manulife Financial”). John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) and its subsidiaries (“John Hancock”) today offer a broad range of financial products and services, including whole, term, variable, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance and various forms of business insurance.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients worldwide have looked to Manulife Financial for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Manuilife Financial’s international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients around the world. Manulife Financial provides asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $454 billion (US$428 billion) as at June 30, 2010. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as “MFC” on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under “945” on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The Funds are sub-advised by MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (“MFC Global (U.S.)” or the “Subadviser”). MFC Global (U.S.) is a subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. MFC Global (U.S.) is responsible for providing investment advice to the Fund subject to the review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the overall supervision of the Adviser.

The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds and is responsible for the supervision of MFC Global (U.S.)’s services to the Funds.

The Funds have different dates for the commencement of operations for each class, which are listed below:


Fund	Class of Shares	Commencement of Operations
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	A	September 3, 1987
	B	October 3, 1996
	C	April 1, 1999
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	A	September 3, 1987
	B	October 3, 1996
	C	April 1, 1999

Beginning with the nine month period ended May 31, 2009, each Fund changed its fiscal year end from August 31 to May 31.

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

The following information supplements the discussion of each Fund’s investment policies and risks, as discussed in the Prospectus. Each Fund’s investment objective, as stated in the Prospectus, is fundamental and may only be changed with shareholder approval. There is no assurance that either Fund will achieve its investment objective.

The policy of each Fund requires that under normal circumstances at least 80% of the value of each Fund’s net assets consist of tax-exempt bonds. This policy is fundamental and may not be changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval.

As required by Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the following fundamental investment policy has been added: Each Fund normally invests at least 80% of its Assets in securities of any maturity exempt from federal and Massachusetts or New York personal income taxes, as relevant. “Assets” is defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes.

Additional Risks. Securities in which the Funds may invest are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or, as the case may be, the Massachusetts or New York legislature, extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. There also is the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of any one or more issuers to pay when due principal of and interest on their tax-exempt securities may be materially affected.

From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress that would adversely affect the federal income tax consequences of holding tax-exempt securities. Federal tax legislation enacted primarily during the 1980s limits the types and amounts of tax-exempt securities issuable for certain purposes, especially industrial development bonds and other types of “private activity” bonds. Such limits may affect the future supply and yields of these types of tax-exempt securities. Further proposals limiting the issuance of tax-exempt securities may well be introduced in the future. If it appeared that the availability of tax-exempt securities for investment by the Funds and the value of the Funds’ investments could be materially affected by such changes in law, the Trustees would reevaluate each Fund’s investment objective and policies and consider changes in the structure of the Fund or its dissolution.

All of the investments of the Funds will be made in:

	(1)		tax-exempt securities that at the time of purchase are rated “BB” or better by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Services, Inc. (“Fitch”), or “Ba” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). Alternatively, the bonds may be unrated but considered by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Not more than one-third of either Fund’s total assets will be invested in tax-exempt bonds rated lower than “A” or determined to be of comparable quality.

	(2)		Notes of issuers having an issue of outstanding tax-exempt securities rated at least “A” by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, or notes that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government or rated “MIG-1” or “MIG-2” by Moody’s, or unrated notes that are determined to be of comparable quality by the Subadviser.

	(3)		Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued by an agency or instrumentality may be supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, while others may be supported only by the credit of the particular federal agency or instrumentality.

	(4)		Commercial paper that is rated “A-1” or “A-2” by S&P, “P-1” or “P-2” by Moody’s, or at least “F-1” by Fitch, or that is not rated, but is considered by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality; obligations of banks with $1 billion of assets and cash equivalents, including certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and repurchase agreements. Ratings of “A-2” or “P-2” on commercial paper indicate a strong capacity for timely payment, although the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issuers designated “A-1” or “P-1.” Appendix B contains further information about ratings.

Tax-Exempt Securities. These are debt securities issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, the interest

on which is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, without regard to whether the interest income thereon is exempt from the personal income tax of any state.

Tax-exempt securities are issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which tax-exempt securities may be issued include the refunding of outstanding obligations or obtaining funds for general operating expenses.

In addition, certain types of “private activity bonds” may be issued by public authorities to finance privately operated housing facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal or student loans, or to obtain funds to lend to public or private institutions for the construction of facilities such as educational, hospital and housing facilities. Such private activity bonds are included within the term tax-exempt securities if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes.

The interest income on certain private activity bonds (including each Fund’s distributions to its shareholders attributable to such interest) may be treated as a tax preference item under the federal alternative minimum tax. Neither Fund will include tax-exempt securities generating this income for purposes of measuring compliance with the 80% fundamental investment policy described in the relevant Prospectus.

Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, also may constitute tax-exempt securities, but current federal tax law places substantial limitations on the size of such issues.

Yields. The yields or returns on tax-exempt securities depend on a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, effective marginal tax rates, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the tax-exempt securities market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating (if any) of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of various tax-exempt securities that they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, tax-exempt securities with the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Yield disparities may occur for reasons not directly related to the investment quality of particular issues or the general movement of interest rates, due to such factors as changes in the overall demand or supply of various types of tax-exempt securities or changes in the investment objectives of investors. See Appendix B for a description of the Funds’ tax-equivalent yields.

The market value of debt securities that carry no equity participation usually reflects yields generally available on securities of similar quality and type. When such yields decline, the market value of a portfolio already invested at higher yields can be expected to rise if such securities are protected against early call. In general, in selecting securities, the portfolio manager of each Fund intends to seek protection against early call. Similarly, when such yields increase, the market value of a portfolio already invested at lower yields can be expected to decline. A Fund may invest in debt securities that sell at substantial discounts from par. These securities are low coupon bonds that, during periods of high interest rates, because of their lower acquisition cost tend to sell on a yield basis approximating current interest rates.

Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds generally are classified as either general obligation bonds or revenue bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the credit of an issuer having taxing power and are payable from the issuer’s general unrestricted revenues. Their payment may depend on an appropriation of the issuer’s legislative body. Revenue bonds, by contrast, are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular project, facility or a specific revenue source. They are not generally payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer.

“Moral Obligation” Bonds. The Funds do not currently intend to invest in so-called “moral obligation” bonds, unless the credit of the issuer itself, without regard to the “moral obligation,” meets the investment criteria established for investments by each Fund. With “moral obligation” bonds, repayment is backed by a moral commitment of an entity other than the issuer.

Tax-Exempt Notes. Tax-exempt notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less. Tax-exempt notes include:

Project Notes. Project notes are backed by an agreement between a local issuing agency and the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and carry a United States Government guarantee. These notes provide financing for a wide range of financial assistance programs for housing, redevelopment, and related needs (such as low-income housing programs and urban renewal programs). Although they are the primary obligations of the local public housing agencies or local urban renewal agencies, the HUD agreement provides for the additional security of the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Payment by the United States pursuant to its full faith and credit obligation does not impair the tax-exempt character of the income from Project Notes.

Tax-Anticipation Notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, use and business taxes, and are specifically payable from these particular future tax revenues.

Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of specific types of revenue, other than taxes, such as federal revenues available under Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.

Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds for the repayment of the notes.

Construction Loan Notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Permanent financing, the proceeds of which are applied to the payment of construction loan notes, is sometimes provided by a commitment by the Government National Mortgage Association to purchase the loan, accompanied by a commitment by the Federal Housing Administration to insure mortgage advances thereunder. In other instances, permanent financing is provided by the commitments of banks to purchase the loan.

Commercial Paper. Issues of commercial paper typically represent short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes. These obligations are issued by agencies of state and local governments to finance seasonal working capital needs of municipalities or to provide interim construction financing and are paid from general revenues of municipalities or are refinanced with long-term debt. In most cases, tax- exempt commercial paper is backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or other institutions.

Ratings As Investment Criteria.

Lower Rated High Yield “High Risk” Debt Obligations. The Funds may invest in high yielding, fixed income securities rated below “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P or Fitch or that are unrated but are considered by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Ratings are based largely on the historical financial condition of the issuer. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. Bonds rated “BB” or “Ba” are generally referred to as junk bonds. See Appendix A attached hereto.

The values of lower-rated securities and those that are unrated but that are considered by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality generally fluctuate more than those of high-rated securities. These securities involve greater price volatility and risk of loss of principal and income. In addition, the lower rating reflects a greater possibility of an adverse change in financial condition affecting the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The market price and liquidity of lower-rated securities generally respond to short-term market developments to a greater extent than for higher rated securities, because these developments are perceived to have a more direct relationship to the issuer’s ability to meet its ongoing debt obligations. Although the Subadviser seeks to minimize these risks through diversification, investment analysis and attention to current developments in interest rates and economic conditions, there can be no assurance that the Subadviser will be successful in limiting the Funds’ exposure to the risks associated with lower rated securities. Because the Funds invest in securities in the

lower rated categories, the achievement of each Fund’s goals is more dependent on the Subadviser’s ability than would be the case if the Funds were investing in securities in the higher rated categories.

Ratings. Ratings for bonds issued by various jurisdictions are noted herein. Such ratings reflect only the respective views of such organizations, and an explanation of the significance of such ratings may be obtained from the rating agency furnishing the same. There is no assurance that a rating will continue for any given period of time or that a rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by any or all of such rating agencies, if, in its or their judgment, circumstances so warrant. Any downward revision or withdrawal of a rating could have an adverse effect on the market prices of any of the bonds described herein.

Risks Associated with Municipal Obligations. If localities and/or authorities in a given state default on their debt obligations, this may in turn negatively affect the marketability and, therefore, the liquidity of such state’s municipal instruments. The credit risk of municipal securities is directly related to a state’s financial condition, and is subject to change rapidly and without notice. The credit ratings of municipal obligations are also affected by the credit ratings of their insurers, which may be and have been negatively affected by adverse economic conditions, such as the recent subprime mortgage crisis. A drop in a municipal obligation’s credit rating also may affect its marketability, which may in turn impact the applicable Fund’s performance. In addition, the inability of bond issuers to market municipal bonds may lead to “failed auctions,” which would reset periodic rates to rates in excess of that which would otherwise prevail in a short-term market. Also, the value of municipal obligations may be difficult to measure in a given economic environment, such as in the present market, since valuation subject to external influences may not reflect the intrinsic, underlying value of a state’s municipal obligations. These events may lower the applicable Fund’s NAV, and the length and severity of such market turbulence may be difficult to determine.

Restricted Securities. The Funds may purchase securities that are not registered (“restricted securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), including commercial paper issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and securities offered and sold to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Neither Fund will invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. If the Trustees determine, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for specific Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities, that they are liquid, they will not be subject to the 15% limit on illiquid securities. The Board has adopted procedures and delegated to the Adviser oversight of the Subadviser’s compliance with the daily function of determining the monitoring and liquidity of restricted securities. The Trustees, however, will retain sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for the determinations. The Trustees will carefully monitor each Fund’s investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Funds if qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.

Participation Interests. The Funds may invest in Certificates of Participation (“COPs”), which provide participation interests in lease revenues. Each COP represents a proportionate interest in or right to the lease-purchase payment made under municipal lease obligations or installment sales contracts. Typically municipal lease obligations are issued by a state or municipal financing authority to provide funds for the construction of facilities (e.g., schools, dormitories, office buildings or prisons) or the acquisition of equipment. The facilities are typically used by the state or municipality pursuant to a lease with a financing authority. Certain municipal lease obligations may trade infrequently. Participation interests in municipal lease obligations will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Fund’s 15% limitation on illiquid securities provided the Subadviser determines that there is a readily available market for such securities.

In reaching liquidity decisions, the subadviser will consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer.) With respect to municipal lease obligations, the Subadviser also considers: (1) the willingness of the municipality to continue, annually or biannually, to appropriate funds for payment of the lease; (2) the general credit quality of the municipality and the essentiality to the municipality of the

property covered by the lease; (3) an analysis of factors similar to that performed by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations in evaluating the credit quality of a municipal lease obligation, including (i) whether the lease can be canceled; (ii) if applicable, what assurance there is that the assets represented by the lease can be sold; (iii) the strength of the lessee’s general credit (e.g., its debt, administrative, economic and financial characteristics); (iv) the likelihood that the municipality will discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property because the property is no longer deemed essential to the operations of the municipality (e.g., the potential for an event of non-appropriation); and (v) the legal recourse in the event of failure to appropriate; and (4) any other factors unique to municipal lease obligations as determined by the Subadviser.

Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements for the purpose of realizing additional (taxable) income. In a repurchase agreement a Fund buys a security for a relatively short period (usually not more than 7 days) subject to the obligation to sell it back to the issuer at a fixed time and price plus accrued interest. The Funds will enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and with “primary dealers” in U.S. Government securities. The Funds have adopted procedures requiring the Board to evaluate the creditworthiness of the parties with whom the Fund enters into repurchase agreements. In making these determinations, the Board will rely on information provided by the Subadviser.

Each Fund has established a procedure providing that the securities serving as collateral for each repurchase agreement must be delivered to the Funds’ custodian either physically or in book-entry form and that the collateral must be marked to market daily to ensure that each repurchase agreement is fully collateralized at all times. In the event of bankruptcy or other default by a seller of a repurchase agreement, aFund could experience delays in liquidating the underlying securities during the period in which the Funds seek to enforce its rights thereto, possible subnormal levels of income and a decline in value of the underlying securities or lack of access to income during this period as well as the expense of enforcing its rights.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Other Borrowings. Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of U.S. Government securities held in its portfolio to a bank with an agreement that the Fund will buy back the securities at a fixed future date at a fixed price plus an agreed amount of “interest” which may be reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Funds. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities purchased by a Fund with proceeds of the transaction may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund which it is obligated to repurchase. A Fund will also continue to be subject to the risk of a decline in the market value of the securities sold under the agreements because it will reacquire those securities upon effecting their repurchase. Neither Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings exceeding in the aggregate 33 1/3% of the market value of its total assets. To minimize various risks associated with reverse repurchase agreements, each Fund will establish separate accounts consisting of highly liquid, marketable securities in an amount at least equal to the repurchase prices of these securities (plus accrued interest thereon) under such agreements. In addition, neither Fund will purchase additional securities while all borrowings are outstanding. Each Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with federally insured banks or savings and loan associations which are approved in advance as being creditworthy by the Board. Under procedures established by the Board, the Subadviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the banks involved.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices. Each Fund may purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any securities in which it may invest on any securities index based on securities in which it may invest. These options may be listed on national domestic securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. A Fund may write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options to enhance total return, as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities, or to protect against declines in the value of portfolio securities and against increases in the cost of securities to be acquired.

Writing Covered Options. A call option on securities written by a Fund obligates the Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. A put option on securities written by a Fund obligates the Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index

options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security. Writing covered call options may deprive a Fund of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities in its portfolio. Writing covered put options may deprive a Fund of the opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market price of the securities to be acquired for its portfolio.

All call and put options written by the Funds are covered. A written call option or put option may be covered by (i) maintaining cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with a value at least equal to a Fund’s obligation under the option; (ii) entering into an offsetting forward commitment; and/or (iii) purchasing an offsetting option or any other option that, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the Fund’s net exposure on its written option position. A written call option on securities is typically covered by maintaining the securities that are subject to the option in a segregated account. Each Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index.

Each Fund may terminate their obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”

Purchasing Options. A Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase, or put options in anticipation of a decrease (“protective puts”) in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. A Fund also may sell call and put options to close out their purchased options.

The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value of such securities or currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio securities. Put options also may be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities that it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of put options may be offset by countervailing changes in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities. Under certain circumstances, a Fund may not be treated as the tax owner of a security if the Fund has purchased a put option on the same security. If this occurred, the interest on the security would be taxable.

Each Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class that may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options that a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Subadviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Funds will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it would

have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

A Fund’s ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. The Subadviser will determine the liquidity of each over-the-counter option in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Board.

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of options depends in part on the Subadviser’s ability to predict future price fluctuations and, for hedging transactions, the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. To seek to increase total return or hedge against changes in interest rates and securities prices, each Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on these futures contracts. Each Fund also may enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any of these contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various securities, securities indices, and any other financial instruments and indices. All futures contracts entered into by a Fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed, regulated or approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).

Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities will usually be liquidated in this manner, a Fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures contracts are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

Hedging and Other Strategies with Future Contracts. Hedging is an attempt to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund proposes to acquire. When securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases.

A Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts in an attempt to hedge against an anticipated decline in market prices that would adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by a Funds or securities with characteristics similar to those of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

If, in the opinion of the Subadviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for a Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, a Fund also may enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in a Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Subadviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the Fund’s portfolio securities.

When a short hedging position is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

On other occasions, a Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when the Fund anticipate the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices that are currently available. A Fund also may purchase futures contracts as a substitute for transactions in securities to alter the investment characteristics of portfolio securities or to gain or increase its exposure to a particular securities market.

Options on Futures Contracts. The Funds may purchase and write options on futures for the same purposes as its transactions in futures contracts. The purchase of put and call options on futures contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction, but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium, which may partially offset a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium (upon exercise of the option) to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium that may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund becomes obligated (upon exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. The loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.

The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option of the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. Each Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

Other Considerations. A Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions either for bona fide hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return as permitted by the CFTC. To the extent that a Fund is using futures and related options for hedging purposes, futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities that the Fund owns or futures contracts will be purchased to protect the Funds against an increase in the price of securities it intends to purchase. Each Fund will determine that the price fluctuations in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Funds or securities or instruments that it expects to purchase. As evidence of is hedging intent, each Fund expects that on 75% or more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option position (involving the purchase of futures contracts), the Fund will have purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent amounts of related securities in the cash market at the time when the futures or option position is closed out. However, in particular cases, when it is economically advantageous for a Fund to do so, a long futures position may be terminated or an option may expire without the corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.

To the extent that a Fund engages in nonhedging transactions in futures contracts and options on futures, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these nonhedging positions will not exceed 5% of the

net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which such options were in-the-money at the time of purchase.

Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating a Fund to purchase securities, require the Fund to establish a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.

While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, these transactions themselves entail certain other risks. For example, unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices may result in poorer overall performances for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.

Perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

Some futures contracts or options on futures may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in a futures contract or related option, which may make the instrument temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges also may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or related option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the Funds from closing out positions and limiting their losses.

Structured or Hybrid Notes. Each Fund may invest in “structured” or “hybrid” notes. The distinguishing feature of a structured or hybrid note is that the amount of interest and/or principal payable on the note is based on the performance of a benchmark asset or market other than fixed income securities or interest rates. Examples of these benchmarks include stock prices, currency exchange rates and physical commodity prices. Investing in a structured note allows a Fund to gain exposure to the benchmark market while fixing the maximum loss that a Fund may experience in the event that market does not perform as expected. Depending on the terms of the note, a Fund may forego all or part of the interest and principal that would be payable on a comparable conventional note; the Fund’s loss cannot exceed this foregone interest and/or principal. An investment in structured or hybrid notes involves risks similar to those associated with a direct investment in the benchmark asset.

Indexed Securities. Each Fund may invest in indexed securities, including floating rate securities that are subject to a maximum interest rate (“capped floaters”) and leveraged inverse floating rate securities (“inverse floaters”) (up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets). The interest rate or, in some cases, the principal payable at the maturity of an indexed security may change positively or inversely in a relation to one or more interest rates, financial indices, or other financial indicators (“reference prices”). An indexed security may be leveraged to the extent that the magnitude of any change in the interest rate or principal payable on an indexed security is a multiple of the change in the reference price. Thus, indexed securities may decline in value due to adverse market charges in interest rates or other reference prices.

Risk Associated With Specific Types of Derivative Debt Securities. Different types of derivative debt securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension and/or interest rate risk. The risk of early prepayments is the primary risk associated with interest only debt securities (“IOs”), super floaters and other leveraged floating rate instruments. In some instances, early prepayments may result in a complete loss of investment in certain of these securities. The primary risks associated with certain other derivative debt securities are the potential extension of average life and/or depreciation due to rising interest rates.

Derivative debt securities include floating rate securities based on the Cost of Funds Index (“COFI floaters”), other “lagging rate” floating rate securities, floating rate securities that are subject to a maximum interest rate (“capped floaters”), leveraged inverse floating rate securities (“inverse floaters”), principal only debt securities (“POs”) and certain residual or support branches of index amortizing notes. Index amortizing notes are subject to extension risk

resulting from the issuer’s failure to exercise its option to call or redeem the notes before their stated maturity date. Leveraged inverse IOs present an especially intense combination of prepayment, extension and interest rate risks.

Other types of floating rate derivative debt securities present more complex types of interest rate risks. For example, range floaters are subject to the risk that the coupon will be reduced to below market rates if a designated interest rate floats outside of a specified interest rate band or collar. Dual index or yield curve floaters are subject to depreciation in the event of an unfavorable change in the spread between two designated interest rates. X-reset floaters have a coupon that remains fixed for more than one accrual period. Thus, the type of risk involved in these securities depends on the terms of each individual X-reset floater.

Forward Commitment and When-Issued Securities. Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. “When-issued” refers to securities whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but that have not been issued. A Fund will engage in when-issued transactions with respect to securities purchased for its portfolio in order to obtain what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction. For when-issued transactions, no payment is made until delivery is due, often a month or more after the purchase. In a forward commitment transaction, a Fund contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.

When a Fund engages in forward commitment and when-issued transactions, it relies on the seller to consummate the transaction. The failure of the issuer or seller to consummate the transaction may result in a Fund’s losing the opportunity to obtain a price and yield considered to be advantageous. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis also involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date.

On the date that a Fund enters into an agreement to purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Fund will segregate in a separate account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the Fund’s commitment. These assets will be valued daily at market, and additional cash or securities will be segregated in a separate account to the extent that the total value of the assets in the account declines below the amount of the when-issued commitments. Alternatively, a Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns.

Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. As one way of managing their exposure to different types of investments, a Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, and other types of swap agreements such as caps, collars and floors. In a typical interest rate swap, one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a “notional principal amount,” in return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specified period of time. Swaps also may depend on other prices or rates, such as the value of an index or mortgage prepayment rates.

In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.

Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a Fund’s investments and their share price and yield.

Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on a Fund’s performance. Swap agreements are subject to risks related to the counterpart’s ability to perform, and may decline in value if the counterpart’s credit worthiness deteriorates. A Fund also may suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swap agreements or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions. Each Fund will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian, cash or liquid, high grade debt securities equal to the net

amount, if any, of the excess of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to swap, cap, collar or floor transactions.

Securities Lending. Each Fund may lend its securities so long as such loans do not represent more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets. As collateral for the loaned securities, the borrower gives the lending portfolio collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the loaned securities (105% for foreign equity and corporate securities). The collateral will consist of cash (including U.S. dollars and foreign currency). The borrower must also agree to increase the collateral if the value of the loaned securities increases. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks that collateral could be inadequate in the event of the borrower failing financially, which could result in actual financial loss, and risks that recovery of loaned securities could be delayed, which could result in interference with portfolio management decisions or exercise of ownership rights. Cash collateral may be invested by the Funds in a privately offered registered investment company advised by the Subadviser that is part of the same group of investment companies as the Funds and that is offered exclusively to funds in the same group of investment companies. Investment of cash collateral offers the opportunity for a Fund to profit from income earned by this collateral pool, but also the risk of loss, should the value of a Fund’s shares in the collateral pool decrease below their initial value. Each Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to meet its obligations to the borrower. In addition, a Fund may lose its right to vote its shares of the loaned securities unless it recalls the loaned securities.

Each Fund has entered into an agreement with The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, doing business as Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“Goldman Sachs”), as its securities lending agent (the “Securities Lending Agreement”). Under the Securities Lending Agreement, Goldman Sachs will generally bear the risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities.

Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when a Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers to which a Fund may lend securities and a Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. In addition, under the Securities Lending Agreement, loans may be made to affiliates of Goldman Sachs as identified in the Securities Lending Agreement.

Short-Term Trading and Portfolio Turnover. Each Fund may attempt to maximize current income through short-term portfolio trading. This will involve selling portfolio instruments and purchasing different instruments to take advantage of yield disparities in different segments of the market for government obligations. Short-term trading may have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover rate. The portfolio turnover rate for a Fund is calculated by dividing the lower of the Fund’s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of purchases or sales of all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were 1 year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities in the Fund during the year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or greater) involves correspondingly higher brokerage expenses. The Funds’ portfolio turnover rates are set forth in the table under the caption “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus or in “Portfolio Turnover” in this SAI.

Investment Companies. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, each Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies in pursuit of its investment objective. This may include investments in money market mutual funds in connection with the Fund’s management of daily cash portions. In addition to the advisory and operational fees that a Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund and its shareholders also will bear the pro rata portion of each other investment company’s advisory and operational expenses.

SPECIAL RISKS

Since Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and New York Tax-Free Income Fund concentrate their investments in Massachusetts tax-exempt securities and New York tax-exempt securities, respectively, the Funds may be adversely

affected by any political, economic or regulatory developments affecting the ability of Massachusetts or New York issuers, as the case may be, to pay interest or repay principal.

The sections below are only summaries and do not purport to fully describe or predict the various conditions and developments that affect or may affect Massachusetts’ or New York’s financial outlook, as applicable. Information in the section is drawn from information available from public sources, including official statements and periodic disclosure related to securities offerings of Massachusetts or New York issuers, as applicable. Such information has not been independently verified by the Funds, although the Funds believe it to be accurate. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and should not be interpreted as anything other than an overview as of this SAI’s publication date, which may or may not accurately reflect Massachusetts’ or New York’s current fiscal condition at a later date. Any adverse developments with respect to Massachusetts’ or New York’s cash flow or fiscal condition generally may impede the applicable Fund’s performance.

Special Considerations Relating to Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Securities

After significant declines in 2002 and 2003, total non-agricultural employment in Massachusetts eventually increased 0.5 percent in 2005 and continued to increase every year through 2008. In 2009, employment began to decline again, down 3.6 percent from 0.3 percent growth in 2008, and down 5.0 percent from the last peak in 2001. The comparable growth rate for the nation in 2009 was down 4.5 percent from 2008 and down 0.7 percent from 2001. The latest seasonally adjusted estimate for the state (3.18 million for May 2010) is about 202 thousand below the peak month in 2001 (3.38 million in February 2001) and about 47.8 thousand below the 2009 peak in January (3.23 million). While the state unemployment rate fell to 9.2 percent in May 2010, the state has seen a slower rise in unemployment than the nation as a whole.

Given the national economic downturn that began in 2007, , the Commonwealth’s substantial reserves and Federal stimulus aid have helped to navigate lower revenue collections. However, tax collections continue to underperform projections. Health care costs, debt, post retirement benefits and pension costs remain challenges to state finances. In the near term, the Commonwealth’s economy will likely be constrained by low housing affordability, negative migration trends, and continuing weakness in the national economy.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Fiscal Year 2011

On June 30, 2010 the Governor approved the fiscal 2011 budget, which totaled $27.570 billion, after vetoing approximately $457 million from the budget. The fiscal 2011 budget includes a $100 million withdrawal from the Stabilization Fund, the use of fiscal 2011 interest earnings on the Stabilization Fund and an additional $95 million in savings by suspending the statutory carryover of the General Fund balance into the next fiscal year. Taking all that into account, the Stabilization Fund is projected to have a $556 million balance at the end of fiscal 2011. The fiscal 2011 budget also relies on $809 million in remaining available federal funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

On August 10, 2010, the President signed a $26 billion state-aid package that would provide additional federal funding to the states for Medicaid and teachers’ pay. This measure extends the FMAP rate originally set to expire December 31, 2010 to June 30, 2011, which is expected to provide approximately $449 million in additional Medicaid reimbursement to the Commonwealth. The state-aid package is also expected to provide approximately $204 million to the Commonwealth to retain or hire teachers at local school districts.

Notwithstanding the passage of the federal legislation, departments may need to make significant reductions to programs and services below levels that were contemplated in the original budget proposals of the Governor, the House and the Senate. These spending reductions and continued case-load-driven pressures in programs and services like the MassHealth program, emergency family shelters and other safety-net programs may require departments and agencies to manage over $1 billion in spending reductions and potential exposures during fiscal 2011. State departments and agencies have prepared implementation plans detailing the necessary steps that each department or agency might need to take to manage their fiscal 2011 programs and services. The Executive Office for

Administration and Finance is currently reviewing the submitted plans with the respective state department or agency. Ultimately, any decision on how to allocate the $463 million in additional Medicaid reimbursements will affect departments’ implementation plans relative to the $1 billion in spending reductions and exposure to which they are managing.

On August 5, 2010, the Governor signed into law legislation relating to economic development that includes four sets of provisions affecting tax revenues:


•		The legislation extends the net operating loss carry-forward period for specified categories of taxpayers (generally including business corporations but not financial institutions or utility corporations) filing under the corporate excise tax from five years to 20 years, for losses sustained in tax years beginning in calendar year 2010. The Department of Revenue estimates that the static revenue loss under this provision will be approximately $4.7 million in fiscal 2016, $12.6 million in fiscal 2017, $19.8 million in fiscal 2018, $25.5 million in fiscal 2019, and $30.3 million in fiscal 2020. The Department of Revenue estimates that the static revenue loss under this provision will increase annually until the tax law change is fully phased in by fiscal 2031, at which point the annual revenue loss will be approximately $92.2 million.






•		The legislation institutes a reduced 3% capital gains tax rate under the individual income tax for sale of investments in certain Massachusetts-based start-ups. The new rate takes effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 with respect to investments in corporations incorporated on or after January 1, 2011, but a three-year holding period is required. The Department of Revenue estimates that this provision will result in a static revenue loss of $0.1 million in fiscal 2014, $0.7 million in fiscal 2015, $2.3 million in fiscal 2016, $4.0 million in fiscal 2017, and $5.7 million in fiscal 2018. The Department of Revenue estimates that the static revenue loss under this provision will increase annually until fiscal 2022, at which point the annual revenue loss will be approximately $13.5 million.






•		The legislation provides for the exclusion of income of a non-U.S. corporation from a “water’s edge” combined report under the corporate excise tax if the income is not subject to U.S. federal income tax by reason of an exemption in a federal bi-lateral treaty, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2009. Other income of a non-U.S. corporation that is derived from U.S. sources (as well as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business) would continue to be included in the combined group’s Massachusetts income tax base in accordance with the combined reporting statute and regulations, including in situations where a federal treaty reduces the federal tax rate on such income but does not completely exempt the income from tax. The Department of Revenue estimates that this provision will result in a revenue reduction or revenue forgone of up to approximately $28 million annually, with a potentially larger revenue loss in fiscal 2011 due to the retroactive nature of the change. See the June Information Statement under the heading “COMMONWEALTH REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES — State Taxes; Corporate Tax Reform.”



•		The legislation established a sales tax holiday on August 14-15, 2010. All non-business retail sales of $2,500 or less were exempt from the Massachusetts sales tax, excluding telecommunications services, motor vehicles, meals, utilities, motor boats, and tobacco products. The Department of Revenue estimates that the sales tax holiday will result in a static revenue loss of approximately $20 million in fiscal 2011 Preliminary tax revenues for the first two months of fiscal 2011, ended August 31, 2010, totaled approximately $2.738 billion, an increase of approximately $191.4 million, or 7.5%, over the same period in fiscal 2010.

The year-to-date tax revenue increase of approximately $191.4 million through August 31, 2010 from the same period in fiscal 2010 is attributable in large part to an increase of approximately $85.4 million, or 5.9%, in income tax collections and an increase of approximately $186.4 million, or 27.2%, in sales and use tax collections which are partially offset by a decrease of approximately 92.3 million, or 61.1%, in corporate and business tax collections. Sales and use tax collections for August do not reflect the impact of the sales tax holiday. Sales tax collections for August are due no later than September 20, 2010 and are expected to be reported in the Department of Revenue’s September revenue report. Preliminary year-to-date fiscal 2011 tax collections (through August) were approximately $8.3 million above the benchmark estimate, which is based on the fiscal 2011 consensus tax revenue estimate of $19.078 billion.

As of September 17, 2010, the Commonwealth was rated Aa1 by Moody’s, AA by S&P and AA+ by Fitch, with its outlook described as STABLE by all three services. These credit ratings are subject to change without notice, which may adversely affect the performance of Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund.

Fiscal 2010

To date the Governor has signed fiscal 2010 supplemental appropriations legislation totaling $665.4 million. The majority of additional funding was necessary to support state safety net programs and services affected by increased caseloads and utilization as a result of the economic downturn. On July 9, 2010, the Governor filed a final supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal 2010 that provides for net additional spending in the amount of $28.5 million. This funding primarily addresses outstanding liabilities of the Commonwealth and there are sufficient resources available to cover these expenditures.

On July 16, 2010, the Department of Revenue announced preliminary tax revenue collections for June, 2010 and for fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2010 collections totaled $18.539 billion, an increase of approximately $280 million, or 1.5%, over fiscal 2009.

The tax revenue increase of $279.9 million from fiscal 2009 is attributable in large part to an increase of approximately $743 million, or 19.2%, in sales and use tax collections, an increase of approximately $21 million, or 1.0%, in corporate and business collections, offset by a decrease of approximately $473 million, or 4.5%, in income tax collections. The preliminary tax revenue figures from the Department of Revenue indicate that fiscal 2010 tax collections were $79 million above the revised fiscal 2010 estimate of $18.460 billion announced by the Secretary of Administration and Finance on January 7, 2010. Additional relatively minor adjustments to fiscal 2010 tax revenues are expected to be made by the Department of Revenue, the State Auditor and the Comptroller prior to October 31, 2010, when the Commonwealth is expected to issue its Statutory Basis Financial Report for fiscal 2010.

Fiscal 2009

Overall, revenues of the Commonwealth increased by 2.5% in FY09 from FY08. Tax revenues declined by 12.6% reflecting the profound recession that the nation is facing, but charges for services increased by 3.8%. As expenses increased by 12.2%, reflecting the need for increased programs and services such as the ‘safety nets’ of Medicaid and unemployment compensation, the Commonwealth’s net deficit widened to $8.2 billion. Medicaid expenses increased by nearly $1.1 billion as did Health and Human Services costs of approximately $291 million. Net assets of the business — type activities showed a decrease of over $684 million almost entirely in Unemployment Compensation.

To alleviate some of the strain on programs and services, the Commonwealth enacted a number of measures this year:


•		Four budgetary provisions were passed to draw nearly $1.3 billion from the Commonwealth’s stabilization fund (a non-major fund) to fund current operations.



•		Commonwealth financial support for local governments (local aid) was cut by $412 million, but eventually funded by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).



•		Because of ARRA, the Commonwealth received approximately $870 million in Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage Funds, representing a temporary increase in federal matching funds.



•		The Commonwealth reduced allowable spending in all budgeted functions of government by nearly $631 million.



•		The Commonwealth lengthened its pension funding schedule. The approved schedule now reflects a full funding of pensions by 2025, instead of 2023. An additional three years of amortization are afforded under generally accepted accounting principles for governments allowing for additional flexibility in the future.



•		Component units contributed funds or reduced or returned subsidy transfers of approximately $95 million.

Lottery Deficit — In FY09, the State Lottery transferred approximately $844 million in the aggregate to municipalities as mandated by the general appropriation act, regardless of the actual amount available in the State Lottery Fund. Lottery revenues for FY09 declined 5.4% to approximately $4.7 billion. Prizes were approximately $3.7 billion and operating expenses and the mandated transfers were over $1 billion. Subsequent to year end, legislation was passed that transferred $43.7 million from the General Fund into the Lottery to cure the current year deficit. To help ensure that the State Lottery Fund remains stable, the FY10 budget contains a fixed amount of $936 million from the State Lottery Fund with any deficit paid from the General Fund.

Overall, the Commonwealth’s financial operations resulted in net asset decreases by over $3.5 billion in FY09 before accounting changes. Net assets of governmental activities decreased by about $2.8 billion. The decrease in net assets is primarily attributable to three issues; the economic recession necessitating more services of about $1.8 billion, a large drop in pension net assets of about $667 million, adding to net pension obligations and approximately $993 million related to underfunding of retiree health care.

At June 30, 2009, the Commonwealth’s governmental funds reported a combined ending fund balance of nearly $5.1 billion. Of the $5.1 billion:


•		Nearly $4.4 billion represents unreserved and undesignated fund balance. Fund balances decreased by over $2.0 billion due to the downturn in the economy. Fund deficits of major governmental funds were again eliminated this year due to year end supplemental budgets or deficit elimination activities already in statute. Similar to last year, approximately $146 million has been declared as a receivable in the governmental funds related to anticipated tobacco settlement proceeds in FY10.

On November 4, 2008, an initiative petition that would have reduced and then eliminated the state personal income tax was defeated by a better than 2-to-1 margin.

Fiscal 2007-2008

The Massachusetts Budget for FY 2008 was approved in July, 2007. The Governor vetoed $40.7 million of appropriations. The budget appropriated $26.771 billion for the fiscal year. As of June 30, 2008, the Commonwealth ended fiscal 2008 with an undesignated budgetary fund balance of $115 million, which includes the statutorily required 0.5% tax revenue carry-forward into fiscal 2008 of $105 million. For fiscal 2008, the Commonwealth’s audited financial statements report a year-end balance in the Stabilization Fund of $2.119 billion. The year closed with additional reserve fund balances of $171.5 million, $25 million of which is commonly known as “consolidated net surplus” and is dedicated to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Investment Fund under the fiscal 2009 budget. The total ending fund balance in the budgeted operating funds was approximately $2.406 billion.

In October 2008, the Governor approved legislation to allow the Comptroller to address timing discrepancies in the receipt of federal reimbursements owed to the Commonwealth for fiscal 2008. Accordingly, the legislation authorizes the Comptroller to use those federal reimbursements in fiscal 2009, to make needed transfers to the Stabilization Fund and the State Lottery Fund, as the Legislature and Governor intended for fiscal 2008. The legislation also provides the Comptroller with discretion to adjust the timing of these transfers to minimize the impact on the Commonwealth’s cash flow.

Other Considerations

As described in the summary above, the Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund’s investments are susceptible to possible adverse effects of the complex political, economic and regulatory matters affecting Massachusetts issuers. In the view of the Adviser, it is impossible to predict state or local governments’ ability to pay the interest on, or repay the principal of, their obligations. For example, any pending litigation or other actions that may impact the Commonwealth’s budgetary obligations may affect state and local governments’ ability to meet their debt obligations, or otherwise adversely affect the Commonwealth’s financial condition.

If either Massachusetts or any of its local governmental entities is unable to meet its financial obligations, the

income derived by the Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund, its NAV, its ability to preserve or realize capital appreciation or its liquidity could be adversely affected.

Special Considerations Relating to New York Tax-Exempt Securities

The following section provides only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in New York and is based on information obtained from New York State (the “State” or “New York State”) certain of its authorities and New York City as publicly available on the date of this SAI. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of the State, and that there is no obligation on the part of the State to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default in the absence of a specific guarantee of pledge provided by the State. It should also be noted that the fiscal stability of New York State is related to the fiscal stability of New York City and of the State’s Authorities. New York State’s experience has been that if New York City or any other major political subdivision or any of the State’s Authorities suffers serious financial difficulty, the ability of New York State, New York State’s political subdivisions (including New York City) and the State’s Authorities to obtain financing in the public credit markets is adversely affected. This results in part from the expectation that to the extent that any Authority or local government experiences financial difficulty, it will seek and receive New York State financial assistance. Moreover, New York City accounts for approximately 40% of New York State’s population and tax receipts, so New York City’s financial integrity in particular affects New York State directly. Accordingly, if there should be a default by New York City or any other major political subdivision or any of the State’s Authorities, the market value and marketability of all New York Tax-Exempt Bonds issued by New York State, its political subdivisions and Authorities could be adversely affected. This would have an adverse effect on the asset value and liquidity of the Fund, even though securities of the defaulting entity may not be held by the Fund.

Authorities The fiscal stability of New York is related, at least in part, to the fiscal stability of its localities and Authorities. Authorities are not subject to the constitutional restrictions on the incurrence of debt that apply to New York State. Authorities may issue bonds and notes within the amounts of, and as otherwise restricted by, their legislative authorization.

Authorities are generally supported by revenues generated by the projects financed or operated, such as fares, user fees on bridges, highway tolls, mass transportation and rentals for dormitory rooms and housing. In recent years, however, New York has provided financial assistance through appropriations, in some cases of a recurring nature, to certain Authorities for operating and other expenses and, in fulfillment of its commitments on moral obligation indebtedness or otherwise, for debt service. This assistance is expected to continue to be required in future years. Failure of New York to appropriate necessary amounts or to take other action to permit the Authorities to meet their obligations could result in a default by one or more of the Authorities. If a default were to occur, it would likely have a significant adverse effect on the market price of obligations of the State and its Authorities.

Agencies and Localities Beginning in 1975 (in part as a result of the then current New York City and UDC financial crises), various localities of New York State began experiencing difficulty in marketing their securities. As a result, certain localities, in addition to New York City, have experienced financial difficulties leading to requests for State assistance. If future financial difficulties cause agencies or localities to seek special State assistance, this could adversely affect New York State’s ability to pay its obligations. Similarly, if financial difficulties of New York State result in New York City’s inability to meet its regular aid commitments or to provide further emergency financing, issuers may default on their outstanding obligations, which would affect the marketability of debt obligations of New York, its agencies and municipalities such as the New York Municipal Obligations held by the Fund.

Reductions in federal spending could materially and adversely affect the financial condition and budget projections of New York State’s localities. Should localities be adversely affected by Federal cutbacks, they may seek additional assistance from the State which might, in turn, have an adverse impact on New York State’s ability to maintain a balanced budget.

Certain localities in addition to New York City could have financial problems which, if significant, could lead to requests for additional State assistance. To the extent the State is constrained by its financial condition, State assistance to localities may be further reduced, compounding the serious fiscal constraints already experienced by many local governments. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems resulting from pending litigation (including challenges to local property tax assessments), judicial decisions and socio-economic trends.

Certain counties and other local governments have encountered significant financial difficulties, including Nassau County and Suffolk County (which each received approval by the legislature to issue deficit notes). The State has imposed financial control on the City of New York from 1977 to 1986 and on the City of Yonkers in 1984, 1988 and 1989, and the City of Troy commencing in 1995, under an appointed control board in response to fiscal crises encountered by these municipalities.

NEW YORK STATE

Overview

Recent Market Events and Impact on State

With the nation’s recovery from the longest and most severe recession since the 1930s losing momentum, the Department of the Budget “DOB” outlook for the national economy reflects uncertainty. Although the national labor market has added private sector jobs every month through July 2010, the 153,000 jobs added in May, June and July combined were well below the 461,000 jobs added during the prior three months The national economy, as measured by real U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”), is now projected to grow 2.9 percent in 2010, followed by growth of 3.1 percent in 2011.

Despite fiscal and monetary policy actions of historic proportion, the nation’s housing market remains weak. Although home prices are stabilizing and the rate at which homes are entering foreclosure appears to have peaked, the level of foreclosure activity continues to depress new home construction. The housing market represents a critical economic sector due not only to the direct demand for labor and other building supplies, but also to the indirect demand it generates for autos and other consumer durables.

A weakening labor market implies a weaker outlook for income growth as well. DOB projects U.S. personal income growth of 3.4 percent for 2010, followed by growth of 4.1 percent for 2011. This forecast reflects wage growth of 2.3 percent projected for 2010 and 4.0 percent for 2011. Consistent with slow job and income growth, as well as depressed equity and real estate markets, consumer demand appears weakened. DOB projects inflation for both this year and next to be 1.5 percent. The disinflation that is currently being witnessed, combined with a weaker outlook for the second half of 2010, is likely to induce the Federal Reserve to further delay a shift in its policy stance.

DOB estimates New York State wages to have fallen 7.2 percent for 2009. However, there are indications that the State economy picked up substantial momentum during the first quarter of 2010. The State labor market added private sector jobs month-over-month on a seasonally adjusted basis during the first four months of the year. DOB now projects an employment decline of 0.3 percent on an annual average basis for 2010, followed by growth of 1.0 percent for 2011. Private sector jobs are projected to fall 0.5 percent for 2010 and grow 1.2 percent in 2011. Wage growth of 5.1 percent is projected for 2010.

The loss of momentum witnessed nationally, appears to be affecting New York as well. Due to the importance of financial markets to the State economy, the 15 percent equity market correction recently observed is likely to disproportionately affect New York. The most recent data indicate that the State lost over 30,000 private sector jobs in May and June combined. The State’s private sector added jobs in July, but did not fully recover the jobs lost during the prior two months.

All of the risks to the U.S. forecast apply to the State forecast as well, although as the nation’s financial capital, credit and equity market volatility pose a particularly large degree of uncertainty for New York. The Federal government has recently passed the long-awaited financial reform package. This program’s impact on the profitability of the State’s finance industry is as yet unknown and consequently represents a major risk to the DOB

forecast for bonuses and income going forward. Similarly, should equity markets fail to recover as anticipated, both financial sector income and taxable capital gains realizations could be negatively affected. These effects would ripple through the State economy, depressing both employment and wage growth. An even weaker labor market than projected could also result in lower wages, which in turn could result in weaker household consumption. In contrast, stronger national and world economic growth, or a stronger upturn in stock prices, along with even stronger activity in mergers and acquisitions and other Wall Street activities, could result in higher wage and bonuses growth than projected.

Recent Trends

The economic downturn has had a severe impact on State finances. Actual receipts have fallen consistently below projected levels, fixed costs for debt service and fringe benefits have risen steadily, and demand for State services has grown. Over the last two years, the State has been required to take extraordinary actions to maintain balanced operations and sufficient liquidity, including enacting midyear reductions to programs, instituting several rounds of agency spending reductions and deferring payments to local aid recipients and taxpayers. To avoid using its rainy day reserves, which are relied on during the fiscal year to provide liquidity, the State has managed the timing of payments across fiscal years, including deferring payments not yet legally due from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year.

Before enactment of the 2010-11 budget, the State faced a projected current-services budget gap of $9.2 billion for fiscal year 2010-11.1 The gap included a budget shortfall of $1.65 billion from 2009-10 that was carried forward into 2010-11.2 Over the course of the budget process, the estimated gap for 2010-11 downward revisions to projected tax receipts increased the projected gap. Over the four-year Financial Plan period (2010-11 through 2013-14), the current-service budget gaps totaled an estimated $66 billion.

The New York Department of Budget “DOB” estimates that the Updated Financial Plan for 2010-11 is balanced on a budgetary (cash) basis of accounting. The budget gap for 2011-12 is projected at $8.2 billion, a decrease of $7.7 billion from the projected gap before enactment of the budget. Gaps are projected over the next two budget years totaling $29.1 billion. The total four-year gap has been reduced by $29 billion, reflecting recurring savings approved in the 2010-11 Enacted Budget.

The growth in the gaps between 2010-11 and 2011-12 is caused in large part by the expiration of Federal stimulus funding for Medicaid and education, which is expected to result in approximately $5.1 billion in costs reverting to the General Fund, starting in 2011-12. The annual growth in the gap is also affected by the sunset, at the end of calendar year 2011, of the temporary PIT increase enacted in 2009-10, which is expected to reduce 2011-12 receipts by approximately $1 billion from 2010-11 levels.

Fiscal 2010-2011

The unsteady recovery of the national and New York State economies is expected to translate into receipts growth for the first time in two years. DOB anticipates that the wage growth that began early in 2010 coupled with positive corporate earnings and a projected rebound in employment later in the year should lead to positive receipts growth in 2010-11. After five consecutive years of growth averaging 9.5 percent per year, base receipts slipped by 3 percent in 2008-09 and plunged another 12.3 percent in 2009-10, as the result of the recession which began in 2008. The nascent recovery is expected to result in base receipts growth of 2.2 percent in 2010-11 and further improvement in 2011-12 after employment growth returns in earnest. The 2007-08 base receipts All Funds tax receipts peak is not expected to be reached again until 2011-12.

The return of corporate profits in general, and the financial sector profits so vital to New York’s economy in particular, are expected to result in both increases in finance and insurance sector bonuses and stepped up business tax receipts growth in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The forecast assumes a shift in taxable capital gains realizations from tax year 2011 into tax year 2010 (resulting in increased 2010-11 receipts) as a result of the expected sunset of preferential Federal tax rates on capital gains on December 31, 2010. If Federal action results in complete or partial continuation of lower rates for all or a portion of taxpayers, these gains will be realized over the long run, not in 2010-11.

Absent the impact of high income provisions enacted in 2009 and 2010, estimated PIT liability plunged 16.6 percent in 2009 and is projected to increase 11.8 in 2010. The 2009 fall was the result of the continuing overall impact of the recession, and in particular, the impact on the real estate and financial sectors. The high growth rate in 2010 is due, in part, to the expected movement of wages and capital gains realizations from 2011 or later into 2010 to take advantage of expiring lower Federal tax rates. Positive wage and income growth that began in early 2010 and the employment growth anticipated to follow later in the year will also play a role.

After a vigorous retreat during 2008-09 and 2009-10, consumer spending on taxable goods and services should improve somewhat during 2010-11, driven by increasing disposable income, employment, and a pickup in vehicle sales after a long drought. Despite this improvement, the pre-recession sales tax collections peak will not be reached until 2011-12.

The bulk of the $4.1 billion (7.2 percent) increase in All Funds tax receipts from 2009-10 to 2010-11 is the result of the full-year impact of the 2009 and 2010 high income personal income tax provisions ($2.1 billion) and other actions taken in the 2010-11 Enacted Budget ($1.3 billion). All Funds receipts are projected to total $134.3 billion, an increase of $7.5 billion over 2009-10 results. Base growth in tax receipts of 2.2 percent is estimated for fiscal year 2010-11, after adjusting for law changes, and should improve further in 2011-12.

Fiscal 2009-2010

Receipts during the fiscal year fell substantially below projections. General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds, totaled $52.6 billion, or $1.78 billion lower than the State’s initial projections for 2009-10. General Fund disbursements, including transfers to other funds, totaled $52.2 billion, a decrease of $2.71 billion from initial projections. However, actual disbursements were affected by $2.1 billion in payment deferrals (described below) taken by the State to end the fiscal year without the use of its rainy day reserves and other designated balances. Without the deferrals, disbursements for the fiscal year would have been approximately $665 million below initial projections.

In the final quarter of the fiscal year, in order to avoid depleting its reserves, the State deferred a planned payment to school districts ($2.1 billion), which reduced spending from planned levels, and certain tax refunds, which increased available receipts from planned levels ($500 million). Both the school aid payment and the tax refunds were scheduled to be paid in 2009-10 but, by statute, were not due until June 1, 2010. The combined value of the deferrals had the effect of increasing the closing balance in the General Fund for 2009-10 to $2.3 billion, or approximately $900 million above the level required to restore the rainy day reserves and other balances to their anticipated levels. The higher closing balance was due exclusively to the cash management actions described above and did not represent an improvement in the State’s financial operations. In early April 2010, the State paid the $500 million in tax refunds that had been deferred from 2009-10 to 2010-11. On June 1, 2010, the State paid the $2.1 billion in school aid deferred from 2009-10.

General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds were $1.2 billion below 2008-09 results. Tax receipts decreased by $1.2 billion and transfers decreased by $750 million, partly offset by increased miscellaneous receipts of $744 million. The $1.2 billion annual decline in tax receipts included a $541 million decline in personal income taxes and a $302 million decline in sales and use tax receipts. General Fund disbursements, including transfers to other funds, were $2.4 billion below 2008-09 results. The annual decline reflects the deferral of $2.1 billion in school aid, the impact of mid-year spending reductions, and the use of Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) funds in place of General Fund spending.

The General Fund closing balance consisted of $1.2 billion in the State’s rainy day reserves, $21 million in the contingency reserve fund (to guard against litigation risks), $96 million in the Community Projects Fund, and $978 million in the Refund Reserve Account, of which approximately $900 million was attributable to the deferrals described above.

Fiscal 2008-2009

General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds and the impact of the tax refund reserve transaction, totaled $53.8 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $705 million from 2007-08 results. While tax receipts decreased by

$93 million, miscellaneous receipts increased by $621 million and transfers increased by $178 million. The decline in tax receipts was primarily attributable to a decline in business taxes. General Fund spending, including transfers to other funds, totaled $54.6 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $1.2 billion from 2007-08. The main source of annual growth was School Aid.

Similar to 2009-10, receipts fell substantially below projected levels. General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds, were $1.84 billion lower than the State’s initial projections for 2008- 09. Disbursements for the year, including transfers to other funds, finished at $1.75 billion lower than initially expected. This resulted in $83 million less available in cash reserves than was planned when the budget was enacted.

The General Fund ended the 2008-09 fiscal year with a balance of $1.9 billion, which included the dedicated balance of $1.2 billion in the State’s rainy day reserves, $21 million in the contingency reserve fund, $145 million in the Community Projects Fund, and $577 million in general reserves, part of which the Division of the Budget (“DOB”) used for payments initially planned for 2008-09 that were delayed until 2009-10. The year-end balance was substantially improved by the receipt of $1.3 billion in unplanned General Fund relief from the temporary increase in the Federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures under ARRA.

Fiscal 2007-2008

General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds and the impact of the tax refund reserve transaction, totaled $53.1 billion in 2007-08, an increase of $1.7 billion from 2006-07 results. While tax receipts decreased by $273 million, transfers increased by $1.9 billion and miscellaneous receipts increased by $191 million. The decline in tax receipts was primarily attributable to a decline in business $53.4 billion in 2007-08, an increase of $1.8 billion from 2006-07. The main sources of annual growth were School Aid, Children and Family Services, and public assistance.

Receipts in 2007-08 were $578 million lower than the State’s initial projections while disbursements for the year finished at $299 million lower than expectations. The result was a $279 million decrease in cash reserves. The reserves were used to finance the costs of labor settlements ($138 million), debt management actions, including defeasing certain auction rate bonds ($128 million), and to finance discretionary grants from the Community Projects Fund ($13 million).

The General Fund ended the 2007-08 fiscal year with a balance of $2.8 billion, which included dedicated balances of $1.2 billion in the State’s rainy day reserve funds that can only be used for unforeseen mid-year shortfalls (after a $175 million deposit to the Rainy Day Reserve Fund at the close of 2007-08), the Contingency Reserve Fund ($21 million), the Community Projects Fund ($340 million) and $1.2 billion in general reserves.

As of September 21, 2010, the State of New York is currently rated Aa2 by Moody’s; AA by S&P and AA by Fitch. All three agencies maintain a “Stable” outlook on the ratings. New York City is rated Aa2, AA, AA respectively by the same agencies. The outlook for New York City is “Stable: by all three rating agencies. These credit ratings are subject to change without notice, which may adversely affect the performance of New York Tax-Free Income Fund.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Fundamental Investment Restrictions. With respect to each Fund, the following investment restrictions will not be changed without approval of a majority of the respective Fund’s outstanding voting securities that, as used in the Prospectus and this SAI, means approval by the lesser of: (1) the holders of 67% or more of the respective Fund’s shares represented at a meeting if more than 50% of the respective Fund’s outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy at that meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the respective Fund’s outstanding shares.

(1)

Neither Fund may issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

(2)		Neither Fund may borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary emergency purposes in amounts not to exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) taken at market value. Neither Fund will purchase securities while borrowings are outstanding.

(3)		Neither Fund may engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, and except that each Fund may participate as part of a group in bidding for the purchase of tax-exempt debt securities directly from an issuer in order to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of such groups.

(4)		Neither Fund may purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities.

(5)		Neither Fund may make loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

(6)		Neither Fund may purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts or puts, calls or combinations of both, except options on securities, securities indices, currency and other financial instruments, futures contracts on securities, securities indices, currency and other financial instruments and options on such futures contracts, forward commitments, interest rate swaps, caps and floors, securities index put or call warrants and repurchase agreements entered into in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies.

(7)		Neither Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. This fundamental restriction does not apply to investments in tax-exempt municipal securities other than those tax-exempt municipal securities backed only by assets and revenues of non-governmental issuers.

(8)		Each Fund has elected to be treated as a diversified investment company, as that term is used in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

If a percentage restriction or rating restriction on investment or utilization of assets is adhered to at the time an investment is made or assets are so utilized, a later change in percentage resulting from changes in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities or a later change in the rating of a portfolio security will not be considered a violation of policy.

Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following investment restrictions are designated as non-fundamental and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval:

Each Fund may not:

	(1)		Except as permitted by fundamental investment restriction (3) above, participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any securities trading account. The “bunching” of orders for the sale or purchase of marketable Fund securities with other accounts under the management of the Adviser to save commissions or to average prices among them is not deemed to result in a joint securities trading account.

	(2)		Purchase securities on margin or make short sales unless by virtue of its ownership of other securities, the Funds have the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions, except that the Funds may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.

	(3)		Purchase a security if, as a result, (i) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of other investment companies, (ii) the Fund would hold more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any one investment company, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one investment company. These limitations do not apply to (a) the investment of cash collateral, received by the Fund in connection with lending of the Fund’s portfolio securities, in the securities of open-end investment companies or (b) the purchase of shares of any investment company in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of another investment company. Subject to the above percentage limitations, the Fund may, in connection with the John Hancock Group of Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees/Directors, purchase securities of other investment companies within the John Hancock Group of Funds.

	(4)		invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from changes in the value of each Fund’s assets will not be considered a violation of the restriction.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The annual rate of portfolio turnover will normally differ for each Fund and may vary from year to year as well as within a year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by each Fund. Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of a Fund’s portfolio securities during the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the Fund’s securities. (Excluded from the computation are all securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less.) The portfolio turnover rates for the Funds for the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009 and the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 were as follows:



Fund	2009			2010
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund		17	%		10	%
New York Tax-Free Income Fund		22	%		7	%

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Board has adopted a Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to protect the interests of the shareholders of the Funds and to address potential conflicts of interest that could arise between the interests of shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, the Subadviser or principal underwriter, or affiliated persons of the Adviser, Subadviser or principal underwriter. The Trust’s general policy with respect to the release of portfolio holdings to nonaffiliated persons is to do so only in limited circumstances and only to provide nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any person, including affiliated persons, on a “need to know” basis and, when released, to release such information only as consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders. The Trust applies its policy uniformly to all parties, including individual and institutional investors, intermediaries, affiliated persons of the Funds, and to all third party service providers and rating agencies.

Portfolio holdings information that is not publicly available will be released only pursuant to the exceptions described in the Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. Material nonpublic holdings information may be provided to nonaffiliated persons as part of the investment activities of the Funds to: entities that, by explicit agreement, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; rating organizations, such as Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, Morningstar and Lipper; or other entities for the purpose of compiling reports and preparing data; proxy voting services for the purpose of voting proxies; entities providing computer software; courts (including bankruptcy courts) or regulators with jurisdiction over the Trust, and its affiliates; and, institutional traders to assist in research and trade execution. Exceptions to the portfolio holdings release policy can only be approved by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or his duly authorized delegate after considering: (a) the purpose of

providing such information; (b) the procedures that will be used to ensure that such information remains confidential and is not traded upon; and (c) whether such disclosure is in the best interest of the shareholders.

At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: APL/Checkfree, Advent Software; BBH; BNY Mellon; BNP Paribas; Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.; Capital Institutional Services, Inc.; Electra Information Systems; Elkins McSherry LLC; GCom2; GainsKeeper; Goldman Sachs Agency Lending; Morningstar, Inc.; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; RiskMetrics Group; SEI; and State Street Bank and Trust Company.

The CCO shall report to the Board whenever additional disclosures of portfolio holdings are approved. The CCO’s report shall be at the Board meeting following such approval.

When the CCO believes that the disclosure of nonpublic information to a nonaffiliated person is a potential conflict of interest between the interest of the shareholders and the interest of affiliated persons of Trust, the CCO shall refer the conflict to the Board. The Board shall then only permit such disclosure of the nonpublic information if in their reasonable business judgment they conclude such disclosure will be in the best interests of the Trust’s shareholders.

The receipt of compensation by the Funds, the Adviser, the Subadviser or an affiliate as consideration for disclosing nonpublic portfolio holdings information is not deemed a legitimate business purpose and is strictly forbidden.

THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT

The business of the Funds is managed by the Trustees of the Trust, including certain Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Funds or the Trust (the Independent Trustees”), who elect officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Funds and who execute policies formulated by the Board. Several of the officers and Trustees of the Trust are also officers or Directors of the Adviser, or officers and Directors of the Funds’ principal distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC (the “Distributor”).

Interested Trustees



			Number of
			Funds in John
			Hancock Fund
			Complex
Name	Position with	Principal Occupation(s) and Other	Overseen by
(Birth Year)	the Trust	Directorships During the Past 5 Years	Trustee
Hugh McHaffie^(1) (3) (1959)	Trustee (since 2010)	Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2006); Director, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2010); President, John Hancock Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2009); Senior Vice President, Individual Business Product Management, MetLife, Inc. (1999—2006).		250

John G. Vrysen⁽¹⁾ (1955)	Trustee (since 2009)	Senior Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2006); Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2005, including other positions); Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2007); Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock retail funds (until 2009).		47


⁽¹⁾		The Trustee is an Interested Trustee due to his position with the Adviser and certain of its affiliates.


⁽²⁾		“John Hancock retail funds” is comprised of the series of John Hancock Funds III and 12 other investment companies (including the Trust), as well as nine closed-end funds.



⁽³⁾		Mr. McHaffie was appointed by the Board on August 31, 2010.

Independent Trustees



			Number of
			Funds in John
			Hancock Fund
	Position(s)		Complex
Name	with the	Principal Occupation(s) and Other	Overseen by
(Birth Year)	Trust	Directorships During the Past 5 Years	Trustee
James F. Carlin (1940)	Trustee (since 1994)	Chief Executive Officer, Director and Treasurer, Alpha Analytical Laboratories (environmental, chemical and pharmaceutical analysis) (since 1985); Part Owner and Treasurer, Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc. (since 1995); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carlin Consolidated, Inc. (management/investments) (since 1987).		47

Independent Trustees



			Number of
			Funds in John
			Hancock Fund
	Position(s)		Complex
Name	with the	Principal Occupation(s) and Other	Overseen by
(Birth Year)	Trust	Directorships During the Past 5 Years	Trustee
William H. Cunningham (1944)	Trustee (since 1987)	Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Director of the following: LIN Television (since 2009); Lincoln National Corporation (insurance) (Chairman since 2009 and Director since 2006); Resolute Energy Corporation (since 2009); Nanomedical Systems, Inc. (biotechnology company) (Chairman since 2008); Yorktown Technologies, LP (tropical fish) (Chairman since 2007); Greater Austin Crime Commission (since 2001); Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director of the following: Introgen (manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals) (until 2008); Hicks Acquisition Company I, Inc. (until 2007); Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (diversified life insurance company) (until 2006); and former Advisory Director, JP Morgan Chase Bank (formerly Texas Commerce Bank—Austin) (until 2009).		47

Deborah Jackson (1952)	Trustee (since 2008)	Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (since 2002); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002—2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (since 2007).		47

Charles L. Ladner (1938)	Trustee (since 1994)	Chairman and Trustee, Dunwoody Village, Inc. (retirement services) (since 2008); Director, Philadelphia Archdiocesan Educational Fund (since 2009); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, UGI Corporation (public utility holding company) (retired 1998); Vice President and Director for AmeriGas, Inc. (retired 1998); Director of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (gas distribution) (until 1997); Director, EnergyNorth, Inc. (until 1995); Director, Parks and History Association (Cooperating Association, National Park Service) (until 2005).		47


Stanley Martin (1947)	Trustee (since 2008)	Senior Vice President/Audit Executive, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (2004—2006); Executive Vice President/Consultant, HSBC Bank USA (2000—2003); Chief Financial Officer/Executive Vice President, Republic New York Corporation & Republic National Bank of New York (1998—2000); Partner, KPMG LLP (1971—1998).		47

Independent Trustees



			Number of
			Funds in John
			Hancock Fund
	Position(s)		Complex
Name	with the	Principal Occupation(s) and Other	Overseen by
(Birth Year)	Trust	Directorships During the Past 5 Years	Trustee
Patti McGill Peterson (1943)	Trustee (since 2005) Chairperson (since 2008)	Chairperson (since 2008); Principal, PMP Globalinc (consulting) (since 2007); Senior Associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy (since 2007); Executive Director, CIES (international education agency) (until 2007); Vice President, Institute of International Education (until 2007); Senior Fellow, Cornell University Institute of Public Affairs, Cornell University (1997—1998); Former President Wells College, St. Lawrence University and the Association of Colleges and Universities of the State of New York. Director of the following: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (until 2003); Security Mutual Life (insurance) (until 1997); ONBANK (until 1993). Trustee of the following: Board of Visitors, The University of Wisconsin, Madison (since 2007); Ford Foundation, International Fellowships Program (until 2007); UNCF, International Development Partnerships (until 2005); Roth Endowment (since 2002); Council for International Educational Exchange (since 2003).		47

John A. Moore (1939)	Trustee (since 2005)	President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Evaluating Health Risks, (nonprofit institution) (until 2001); Senior Scientist, Sciences International (health research) (until 2003); Former Assistant Administrator & Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Principal, Hollyhouse (consulting) (since 2000); Director, CIIT Center for Health Science Research (nonprofit research) (until 2007).		47

Steven R. Pruchansky (1944)	Trustee (since 1994) Vice Chairman (since 2008)	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (since 2008); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991).		47


Gregory A. Russo (1949)	Trustee (since 2008)	Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002—2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998—2002).		47

Correspondence intended for any of the Trustees may be sent to the attention of the individual Trustee or to the Board at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. All communications addressed to the Board or individual Trustee will be logged and sent to the Board or individual Trustee.

Principal Officers who are not Trustees


	Position(s)
Name	Held with	Officer
(Birth Year)	the Trust	since		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Keith F. Hartstein (1956)	President and Chief Executive Officer		2005	Senior Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2004); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2005); Director, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (since 2005); Director, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006); Director, Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock retail funds (since 2005); President, NM Capital Management, Inc. (since 2005); Member, Investment Company Institute Sales Force Marketing Committee (since 2003).

Andrew G. Arnott (1971)	Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer		2009	Senior Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock retail funds (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2006); Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development, John Hancock Funds, LLC (until 2009).

Thomas M. Kinzler (1955)	Secretary and Chief Legal Officer		2006	Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2007, including prior positions); Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (1999—2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MML Series Investment Fund (2000—2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MassMutual Select Funds and MassMutual Premier Funds (2004—2006).

Francis V. Knox, Jr. (1947)	Chief Compliance Officer		2005	Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Trust, Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (2005—2008).

Michael J. Leary (1965)	Treasurer		2009	Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Assistant Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (2007—2009); Vice President and Director of Fund Administration, JP Morgan (2004-2007).

Principal Officers who are not Trustees


	Position(s)
Name	Held with	Officer
(Birth Year)	the Trust	since		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Charles A. Rizzo (1957)	Chief Financial Officer		2007	Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2007); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Assistant Treasurer, Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2005—2007); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005—2007); Managing Director and Treasurer, Scudder Funds, Deutsche Asset Management (2003—2005).

Additional Information About the Trustees

In addition to the description of each Trustee’s Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships set forth above, the following provides further information about each Trustee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the Trustees is an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

Although the Board’s Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee has general criteria that guides its choice of candidates to serve on the Board (as discussed below under “Board Committees”), there are no specific required qualifications for Board membership. The Board believes that the different perspectives, viewpoints, professional experience, education, and individual qualities of each Trustee represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. Each Trustee has experience as a Trustee of the Trust, as well as experience as a Trustee of other John Hancock funds. It is the Trustees’ belief that this allows the Board, as a whole, to oversee the business of the Funds in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. When considering potential nominees to fill vacancies on the Board, and as part of its annual self-evaluation, the Board reviews the mix of skills and other relevant experiences of the Trustees.

James F. Carlin — As a senior officer of a scientific testing laboratory, insurance companies and management companies, Mr. Carlin has experience in the management of operating and finance companies. He also has experience as a board member of other entities.

William H. Cunningham — Mr. Cunningham has management and operational oversight experience as a former Chancellor and President of a major university. Mr. Cunningham has expertise in corporate governance as a Professor of business ethics. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of a number of operating companies, including an insurance company.

Deborah Jackson — Ms. Jackson has management and operational oversight experience as the Chief Executive Officer of a major charitable organization. She also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate organizations, including a bank, an insurance company and a regional stock exchange, and nonprofit entities.

Charles L. Ladner — Mr. Ladner has management and financial experience as a senior executive of a retirement services company and a former senior executive of public utility companies, including serving in the role of Chief Financial Officer. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate and nonprofit entities.

Stanley Martin — As a certified public accountant and former partner in a major independent certified public accounting firm, Mr. Martin has accounting and executive experience. Mr. Martin also has experience as a former senior officer of a federal government-sponsored entity and of two major banks.

Hugh McHaffie — Through his positions as a senior executive of Manulife’s U.S. Wealth Management division, his prior position as a senior executive of MetLife, and membership in the Society of Actuaries and the American Academy of Actuaries, Mr. McHaffie has experience in the development and management of registered investment companies, variable annuities and retirement products, enabling him to provide management input to the Board.

Patti McGill Peterson — Ms. McGill Peterson has planning and management advisory experience as principal of a consulting firm. She also has management and operational oversight experience as a former college and university President. She also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate organizations, including a bank and an insurance company, and nonprofit entities. Ms. McGill Peterson, an Independent Trustee, serves as the Board’s Chairperson.

John A. Moore — Dr. Moore has management and operational oversight experience from his current and former positions as a senior executive of scientific research organizations and as a senior administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a director of a scientific research organization.

Steven R. Pruchansky — Mr. Pruchansky has entrepreneurial, executive and financial experience as a chief executive officer of an operating services company and a current and former director of real estate and banking companies.

Gregory A. Russo — As a certified public accountant and former partner in a major independent registered public accounting firm, Mr. Russo has accounting and executive experience.

John G. Vrysen — Through his positions as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser, position as a senior executive of MFC, the Adviser’s parent company, positions with other affiliates of the Adviser, and current and former memberships in the Society of Actuaries, Canadian Institute of Actuaries and American Academy of Actuaries, Mr. Vrysen has experience in the development and management of registered investment companies, variable annuities and retirement products, enabling him to provide management input to the Board.

Duties of Trustees; Board Meetings and Board Committees

The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are responsible for managing the affairs of the Trust, including the appointment of advisers and subadvisers. Each Trustee has the experience, skills, attributes or qualifications described above (see “Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships” and “Additional Information About the Trustees” above). The Board appoints officers who assist in managing the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. The Board met five times during the latest fiscal year.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee as Chairperson. The Chairperson presides at meetings of the Trustees and may call meetings of the Board and any Board committee whenever she deems it necessary. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also acts as a liaison with the Funds’ management, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board has also designated a Vice Chairperson to serve in the absence of the Chairperson, who also serves as Chairman of the Board’s Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee. Except for any duties specified in this SAI or pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, or as assigned by the Board, the designation of a Trustee as Chairperson or Vice Chairperson does not impose on that Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on any other Trustee, generally. The Board has designated a number of standing committees as further described below, each of which has a Chairman. The Board also designates working groups or ad hoc committees as it deems appropriate.

The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board considers leadership by an Independent Trustee as Chairperson to be integral to promoting effective independent oversight of the Funds’ operations and meaningful representation of the shareholders’ interests, given the number of Funds and the amount of assets that the Funds represent. The Board also believes that having a super-majority of Independent Trustees is appropriate and in the best interest of the funds’ shareholders. Nevertheless, the Board also believes that having interested persons serve on the Board brings corporate and financial viewpoints that are, in the Board’s view, helpful elements in its decision-making process. In addition, the Board believes that Mr. Boyle and Mr. Vrysen, each of whom is a senior executive of the Adviser, MFC (the Adviser’s parent company), and of other affiliates of the Adviser, provide the Board with the Adviser’s perspective in managing and sponsoring the Funds. The leadership structure of the Board may be changed, at any time and in the discretion of the Board, including in response to changes in circumstances or the characteristics of the Trust.

Board Committees

The Board has five standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compliance Committee; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee; Investment Performance Committee A and the Contracts/Operations Committee.

The current membership of each committee is set forth below. As Chairperson of the Board, Ms. McGill Peterson is considered an ex officio member of each committee and, therefore, is able to attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate.


		Nominating,
		Governance and
Audit	Compliance	Administration	Investment A	Contracts/Operations
Ms. Jackson	Mr. Carlin	All Independent	Ms. Jackson	Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Martin	Mr. Russo	Trustees	Mr. Ladner	Mr. Ladner
Mr. Pruchansky			Mr. Martin	Dr. Moore
			Mr. Pruchansky

Audit Committee. All of the members of this Committee are independent, and each member is financially literate with at least one having accounting or financial management expertise. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Committee. This Committee recommends to the full Board independent registered public accounting firms for each Fund, oversees the work of the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the Fund’s audit, communicates with the independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis and provides a forum for the independent registered public accounting firm to report and discuss any matters it deems appropriate at any time. Mr. Martin serves as Chairman of this Committee. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year.

Compliance Committee. The primary role of this Committee is to oversee the activities of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; the implementation and enforcement of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures; and compliance with the Trust’s and the Independent Trustees’ Codes of Ethics. Mr. Russo serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year.

Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee. This Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees. This Committee periodically reviews the Board’s committee structure, conducts an annual self-assessment, and makes the final selection and nomination of candidates to serve as Independent Trustees. The Interested Trustees and the officers of the Trust are nominated and selected by the Board. Mr. Pruchansky serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held three meetings during the last fiscal year.

In reviewing a potential nominee and in evaluating the renomination of current Independent Trustees, this Committee will generally apply the following criteria: (i) the nominee’s reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; (ii) the nominee’s business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgments; (iii) a commitment to understand the Funds and the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company; (iv) a commitment to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees; (v) the ability to understand potential conflicts of interest involving management of the Funds and to act in the interests of all shareholders; and (vi) the absence of a real or apparent conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of an Independent Trustee. This Committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criteria and each nominee may not have each of these qualities.

As long as an existing Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of this Committee, to satisfy these criteria, the Trust anticipates that the Committee would favor the renomination of an existing Independent Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while this Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as Independent Trustees, the Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board or a committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Independent Trustee is in the best interests of the Funds. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable, this Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified by other means, including candidates proposed by members of this Committee. This Committee may retain a consultant to assist it in a search for a qualified candidate, and did so in 2008. The Committee has adopted Procedures for the Selection of Independent Trustees.

Any shareholder recommendation for Independent Trustee must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be considered by this Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, this Committee, in addition to the criteria discussed above, may consider the objectives of the shareholder in submitting that nomination and whether such objectives are consistent with the interests of all shareholders. If the Board determines to include a shareholder’s candidate among the slate of nominees, the candidate’s name will be placed on the Trust’s proxy card. If this Committee or the Board determines not to include such candidate among the Board’s designated nominees and the shareholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-8, the shareholder’s candidate will be treated as a nominee of the shareholder who originally nominated the candidate. In that case, the candidate will not be named on the proxy card distributed with the Trust’s Proxy Statement.

Shareholders may communicate with the Trustees as a group or individually. Any such communication should be sent to the Board or an individual Trustee c/o The Secretary of the Trust at the following address: 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805. The Secretary may determine not to forward any letter to Trustees that does not relate to the business of a Fund.

Investment Performance Committee A. This Committee monitors and analyzes the performance of the Funds generally, consults with the Adviser as necessary if a Fund requires special attention, and reviews peer groups and other comparative standards as necessary. Mr. Ladner serves as Chairman of Investment Performance Committee A. This Committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year.

Contracts/Operations Committee. This Committee oversees the initiation, operation, and renewal of the various contracts between the Fund and other entities. These contracts include advisory and subadvisory agreements, custodial and transfer agency agreements and arrangements with other service providers. Dr. Moore serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year.

Risk Oversight

As registered investment companies, the funds are subject to a variety of risks, including investment risks, financial risks, compliance risks, and operational risks. As part of its overall activities, the Board oversees the management of the Funds’ risk management structure by various departments of the Adviser, including: Investment Management Services Group (which oversees the Funds’ subadvisers and investment management operations) (“IMS”), Fund

Administration, Legal, the Product Group (which oversees new product development and marketplace positioning), and Internal Audit; as well as by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The responsibility to manage the Funds’ risk management structure on a day-to-day basis is subsumed within the Adviser’s overall investment management responsibilities. The Adviser has its own, independent interest in risk management. The Adviser’s risk management program is part of the overall risk management program of John Hancock, the Adviser’s parent company.

The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Funds or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board discharges risk oversight as part of its overall activities, with the assistance of its Investment Performance, Audit, Compliance, and Contracts/Operations Committees. In addressing issues regarding the Funds’ risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the Adviser communicate with the Chairperson of the Board, the relevant Committee Chair or the Trust’s CCO, who is directly accountable to the Board. As appropriate, the Chairperson of the Board and the Committee Chairs confer among themselves, with the Trust’s CCO, the Adviser, other service providers, external Fund counsel, and counsel to the Independent Trustees, to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the full Board’s agenda and/or that of an appropriate Committee for review and discussion with management.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing with the independent auditors, at various times throughout the year, matters relating to financial reporting matters. In addition, this Committee oversees the process of each Fund’s valuation of its portfolio securities, with day-to-day responsibility for valuation determinations having been delegated to the Funds’ Pricing Committee (comprised of officers of the Trust).

Investment Performance Committee A assists the Board in overseeing the significant investment policies of the Funds. The Adviser monitors these policies and may recommend changes to this Committee in response to Subadviser requests or other circumstances. On a quarterly basis, this Committee reviews reports from IMS and the Product Group regarding the Funds’ investment performance, which include information about investment risks and how they are managed.

The Compliance Committee assists the Board in overseeing the activities of the Trust’s CCO with respect to the compliance programs of the Funds, the Adviser, the Subadvisers, and certain of the Funds’ other service providers (the distributor and transfer agent). This Committee and the Board receive and consider the CCO’s annual written report, which, among other things, summarizes material compliance issues that arose during the previous year and any remedial action taken to address these issues, as well as any material changes to the compliance programs. This Committee and the Board also receive and consider reports from the Trust’s CCO throughout the year. As part of its oversight responsibilities, the Board has approved various compliance policies and procedures.

The Contracts/Operations Committee assists the Board in overseeing the Adviser’s management of the Funds’ operational risks, particularly as it regards vendor management and the quality of services provided by various service providers. This Committee periodically reviews reports from Fund Administration on these issues and discusses its findings with the Board. Among other things, in its annual review of the Funds’ advisory, sub-advisory and distribution agreements, this Committee and the Board receive and review information provided by the Adviser, the Subadviser and the distributor relating to their operational capabilities, financial condition and resources.

Each of the above Board Committees meets at least quarterly. Each Committee presents reports to the Board, which may prompt further discussion of issues concerning the oversight of the Funds’ risk management. The Board also may discuss particular risks that are not addressed in the Committee process.

The Board also has a Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee that, among other matters, periodically reviews the Board’s committee structure and the charters of the Board’s committees, and recommends to the Board such changes as it deems appropriate. This Committee also coordinates and administers an annual self-evaluation of the Board that includes a review of its effectiveness in overseeing the number of funds in the fund complex and the effectiveness of its committee structure. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts its risk oversight role.

Finally, John Hancock’s Chief Risk Officer supports the Adviser’s risk management program, and may report to the Board periodically on risk management. John Hancock’s Chief Risk Officer reports directly to the President of John Hancock and, indirectly, to the Chief Risk Officer of Manulife Financial Corporation, John Hancock’s parent company.

Independent Trustee Compensation

The Trust pays fees only to its Independent Trustees. Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. The following table shows the compensation paid to each Independent Trustee for his or her service as a Trustee for the most recent calendar year.


Independent Trustee	Trust		John Hancock Fund Complex*
Carlin	$	6,053	$	166,000
Cunningham	$	7,356	$	197,000
Jackson	$	5,721	$	162,000
Ladner	$	7,063	$	196,000
Martin	$	7,163	$	201,500
McGill Peterson	$	6,528	$	266,000
Moore	$	7,399	$	206,000
Pruchansky	$	7,419	$	208,000
Russo	$	1,834	$	196,000


*		These Trustees oversee 47 series in the John Hancock Fund Complex, which consists of 250 series overall. The Trust does not have a pension or retirement plan for any of its Trustees or officers. The Trust participates in the John Hancock Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, an Independent Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested in shares of one or more funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex and the amount paid to the Independent Trustees under the Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees’ fees does not obligate the Trust to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Trust to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee. Under these circumstances, the Trustee is not the legal owner of the underlying shares, but does participate in any positive or negative return on those shares to the same extent as all other shareholders. As of December 31, 2009, the value of the aggregate accrued deferred compensation amount from all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex for Mr. Cunningham was $227,940; Mr. Ladner was $83,512; Ms. McGill Peterson was $249,300; Dr. Moore was $300,895; and Mr. Pruchansky was $370,325 under the Plan.

Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Funds

The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of each Fund, and the dollar range of the aggregate value of the shares of all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex overseen or to be overseen by a Trustee, owned beneficially by each Trustee as of December 31, 2009. The current value of the funds that the participating Independent Trustees have selected under the Plan is included in this table. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Exact dollar amounts of securities held are not listed in the table. Rather, the ranges are identified according to the following key:

A-$0
B -$1 up to and including $10,000
C -$10,001 up to and including $50,000
D -$50,001 up to and including $100,000
E -$100,001 or more

Fund/ Trustee

Boyle

Carlin

Cunningham

Jackson

Ladner

Martin

MA Tax Free Income

NY Tax Free Income

John Hancock Fund Complex


	McGill
Fund/Trustee	Peterson	Moore	Pruchansky	Russo	Vrysen
MA Tax Free Income	A	A	A	A	A
NY Tax Free Income	A	A	A	A	A
John Hancock Fund Complex	E	D	A	A	A

All of the officers listed are officers or employees of the Adviser or affiliated companies. Some of the Trustees and officers also may be officers and/or directors and/or Trustees of one or more of the other funds for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund

As of August 31, 2010, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds. As of that date, to the Funds’ knowledge, the following shareholders owned of records or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated classes of shares of the Funds:


			Record or
		Percentage	Beneficial
Name and Address of Owners of More than 5% of Shares	Class	Owned	Ownership
MLPF& S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 2ND FL JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484	A	9.03%	Record
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC ATTN CINDY TEMPESTA 7TH FLOOR 333 WEST 34TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10001-2402	A	6.57%	Record
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHINGPLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	A	5.72%	Record
MLPF& S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 2ND FL JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484	B	20.40%	Record
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	B	7.44%	Record


			Record or
		Percentage	Beneficial
Name and Address of Owners of More than 5% of Shares	Class	Owned	Ownership
MLPF& S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 2ND FL JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484	C	9.21%	Record
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	C	5.35%	Record

New York Tax-Free Income Fund


			Record or
		Percentage	Beneficial
Name and Address of Owners of More than 5% of Shares	Class	Owned	Ownership
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	A	11.66%	Record
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC ATTN CINDY TEMPESTA 7TH FLOOR 333 WEST 34TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10001-2402	A	5.43%	Record
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	B	15.26%	Record
MLPF& S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 2ND FL JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484	B	14.73%	Record
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC ATTN CINDY TEMPESTA 7TH FLOOR 333 WEST 34TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10001-2402	B	6.98%	Record
MAUREEN SANDERS TTEE NANCY A CORSO TTEE HARRIET SANDERS LIVING TRUST U/A DTD 7/9/1998 PO BOX 166 ORIENT NY 11957-0166	B	6.81%	Beneficial
PERSHING LLC 1 PERSHING PLZ JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001	C	15.43%	Record
MLPF& S FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS ATTN FUND ADMINISTRATION 4800 DEER LAKE DRIVE EAST 2ND FL JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484	C	11.68%	Record
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS CORP FBO JAMES GRUNEBAUM 639 LAFAYETTE AVE BUFFALO NY 14222-1435	C	6.22%	Beneficial

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Advisory Agreement. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability corporation whose principal offices are located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The ultimate parent of the Adviser is Manulife Financial based in Toronto, Canada. Manulife Financial is the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (the

“Life Company”) and its subsidiaries. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

The Subadviser, MFC Global (U.S.) located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, was organized in 1979 and as of June 30, 2010 had approximately 39 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial).

The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds and is responsible for the supervision of MFC Global (U.S.)’s services to the Funds.

The Funds have entered into an investment management contract (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Funds. On May 5, 2009, each Fund’s shareholders approved a new form of Advisory Agreement that streamlines and standardizes the advisory agreements across the John Hancock Fund Complex. The new form of Advisory Agreement became effective July 1, 2009. As compensation for its advisory services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a fee from the Trust, calculated separately for each Fund. The amount of the advisory fee is determined by applying the daily equivalent of an annual fee rate to the net assets of each Fund. On May 5, 2009, the shareholders also approved provisions that effectively change the frequency with which advisory fees are paid by the Funds from monthly payment to daily payment. Because each Fund’s advisory fees have historically been accrued on a daily basis, there is no difference between the amounts that the Fund would have paid if daily payment of advisory fees were in effect in prior periods instead of monthly payment.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser selects, contracts with, and compensates subadvisers to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds. The Adviser monitors the Subadviser’s management of each Fund’s investment operations in accordance with the investment objectives and related policies of the Fund, and reviews the performance of the Subadviser and reports periodically on such performance to the Board. The Adviser and each of the Funds have entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Subadviser under which the Subadviser, subject to the review of the Trustees and the overall supervision of the Adviser, is responsible for managing the investment operations of the Funds and the composition of each Fund’s portfolio and furnishing the Funds with advice and recommendations with respect to investments, investment policies and the purchase and sale of securities.

Each Fund bears all the costs of its organization and operation, including but not limited to expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders’ reports, notices, Prospectuses, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares; government fees; interest charges; expenses of furnishing to shareholders their account statements; taxes; expenses of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio securities transactions; expenses pursuant to the Fund’s plan of distribution; fees and expenses of custodians including those for keeping books and accounts maintaining a committed line of credit and calculating the NAV of shares; fees and expenses of transfer agents and dividend disbursing agents; legal, accounting, financial, management, tax and auditing fees and expenses of the Fund; the compensation and expenses of Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or any of their affiliates; expenses of Trustees’ and shareholders’ meetings; trade association memberships (as explicitly approved by the Trustees); insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.

From time to time, the Adviser may reduce its fee or make other arrangements to limit the Funds’ expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets. The Adviser retains the right to re-impose a fee and recover other payments to the extent that, at the end of any fiscal year, each Fund’s actual expenses at year end fall below this limit.

Advisory Fees. The following tables show the advisory fees that each Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for (i) the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008; (ii) the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009 and (iii) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010.



	Year ended August 31, 2008		Period ended May 31, 2009
Fund	Advisory Fees		Advisory Fees
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income	$	547,982	$	418,253
New York Tax-Free Income	$	270,335	$	200,365



	Year ended May 31, 2010
Fund	Advisory Fees
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income	$	625,798
New York Tax-Free Income	$	311,457

Securities held by a Fund also may be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for which the Subadviser or its affiliates provide investment advice. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more funds or clients when one or more other funds or clients are selling the same security. If opportunities for purchase or sale of securities by the Subadviser for a Fund or for other funds or clients for which the Subadviser renders investment advice arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds or clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Subadviser or its affiliates may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

Under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund may use the name “John Hancock” or any name derived from or similar to it only for so long as the Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect. If the Agreement is no longer in effect, each Fund (to the extent that it lawfully can) will cease to use such name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected with the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or the Life Company may grant the nonexclusive right to use the name “John Hancock” or any similar name to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which the Life Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment adviser.

The continuation of the Advisory Agreement and the Distribution Agreement (discussed below) and the initial approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement was approved by all Trustees. The Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, will continue in effect from year to year, provided that their continuance is approved annually both (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or by the Trustees, and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” of any such parties. Each of these Agreements may be terminated on 60 days written notice by any party or by vote of a majority to the outstanding voting securities of the respective Fund and will terminate automatically if assigned. The Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to a Fund terminates automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement for that Fund.

Personnel of the Adviser and its affiliates may trade securities for their personal accounts. The Funds also may hold, or may be buying or selling, the same securities. To prevent the Funds from being disadvantaged, the Adviser, Subadviser, the Distributor and the Funds have adopted a code of ethics that restricts the trading activity of those personnel.

Accounting and Legal Services Agreement. Prior to July 1, 2009, the Trust, on behalf the Funds, was a party to an Accounting and Legal Services Agreement with the Adviser and its affiliates under which the Funds previously received “Non-Advisory Services” (as described below under “Service Agreement”). The following tables show the fees that each Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for Non-Advisory Services under this Agreement for: (i) the

fiscal year ended August 31, 2008; (ii) the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009; and (iii) the period from June 1 through June 30, 2009.



	Accounting and Legal Service Fees
	Year ended		Period ended		Period ended
Fund	August 31, 2008		May 31, 2009		June 30, 2009
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income	$	12,632	$	13,147	$	1,467
New York Tax-Free Income	$	5,595	$	5,503	$	936

Service Agreement. Effective as of July 1, 2009, the Funds operate under a Service Agreement with the Adviser, which replaced the prior Accounting and Legal Services Agreement, under which the Funds had previously received Non-Advisory Services. These Non-Advisory Services include, but are not limited to, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, financial reporting and performance, compliance, service provider oversight, portfolio and cash management, SEC filings, graphic design, and other services that are not investment advisory in nature. The Adviser will be reimbursed for its costs in providing Non-Advisory Services to the Funds under the Service Agreement.

The Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund in connection with the matters to which the Service Agreement relates, except losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by John Hancock of its obligations under the Agreement.

The Service Agreement has an initial term of two years, and may continue thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Trust, on behalf the Fund, or the Adviser may terminate the Agreement at any time without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties, without obtaining shareholder approval.

The following table shows the fees that the Fund incurred and paid the Adviser for Non-Advisory Services under this Agreement for the period from July 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010.



Fund	Period Ended May 31, 2010
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	$	18,244
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	$	10,109

Advisers and Subadvisers — Other Business Relationships. A description of business relationships among the Adviser, the Subadviser, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (“JHIMS”),¹ other John Hancock Funds’ subadvisers and Manulife Financial’s affiliates is below:

Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. (“EPOCH”) Agreement for the John Hancock Funds III (“JHF III”)² Global Shareholder Yield Fund. JHIMS and EPOCH have entered into an agreement regarding John Hancock Global Shareholder Yield Fund, a JHF III fund, under which EPOCH has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including as subadviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to that of John Hancock Global Shareholder Yield Fund for a certain period of time. In the event EPOCH should advise such an investment company, the agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS and the distributor to John Hancock Global Shareholder Yield Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.

Pzena Investment Management, LLC (“Pzena”) Agreement for the JHF III Classic Value Mega Cap Fund. JHIMS and Pzena have entered into an agreement regarding John Hancock Classic Value Mega Cap Fund, a JHF III fund, under which Pzena has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including as subadviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to that of John Hancock Classic Value Mega Cap Fund for a certain period of time. In the event Pzena should advise such an investment company, the agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain

liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS and the distributor to John Hancock Classic Value Mega Cap Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.

Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier Investment Management, Inc. (“Rainier”). JHIMS and Rainier have entered into an overall business arrangement under which Rainier has agreed not to offer investment management services to another investment company for the investment strategies it manages for JHIMS for a certain period of time. As part of the business arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and neither John Hancock Rainier Growth Fund (the “JHF III Rainier Fund”) nor JHF III) will pay to Rainier specified amounts if total assets of John Hancock investment products subadvised by Rainier do not equal or exceed certain thresholds for a period of up to three years. As a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and not the JHF III Rainier Fund or JHF III) will pay to Rainier a specified amount if the Rainier subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser to the JHF III Rainier Fund and its shareholders, it will not support or recommend to the Board any termination of the Rainier subadvisory agreement with respect to the Fund for a three-year period. Neither JHF III nor either of the JHF III Rainier Fund or the predecessor Rainier-managed fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its respective board of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Rainier subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the JHF III Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Rainier.

Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) regarding John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund. JHIMS and Robeco have entered into an overall business arrangement regarding John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund under which Robeco has agreed not to offer investment management services to another investment company for the investment strategies it manages for JHIMS for a certain period of time. As part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed, that in addition to the assets transferred to John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund from the predecessor Robeco-managed fund at the closing of the reorganization, December 19, 2008, that the Fund will have at least $200,000,000 in total assets under management within twelve (12) months after the closing. As a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and neither John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund nor JHF III) will pay to Robeco a specified amount if the Robeco subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period. Neither JHF III nor either of John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund or the predecessor Robeco-managed fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its respective board of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Robeco subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the JHF III Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Robeco.

Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco regarding John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund. JHIMS and Robeco have entered into an overall business arrangement regarding John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund (the “Mid Cap Fund”) under which Robeco has agreed not to offer investment management services to another investment company for the investment strategies it manages for JHIMS, subject to further conditions, for a period of up to five years. As a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that under certain circumstances it (and not the Mid Cap Fund or JHF III) will pay to Robeco a specified amount if the Robeco subadvisory agreement for the Mid Cap Fund is terminated within a three-year period. Neither JHF III nor the Mid Cap Fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon the Mid Cap Fund or the JHF III Board of Trustees. However, these arrangements present certain conflicts of interest because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Robeco subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Mid Cap Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the JHF III Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Robeco.

Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Fiduciary Management Associates, LLC (“FMA”). JHIMS and FMA have entered into an overall business arrangement under which FMA has agreed not to offer investment management services to another investment company for the investment strategy it manages for JHIMS for a certain

period of time. In addition to the assets transferred from the predecessor FMA-managed fund to John Hancock Small Company Fund at the closing of the reorganization, JHIMS has agreed that under certain circumstances it (and not John Hancock Small Company Fund or JHF III) will pay to FMA specified amounts for a period of five years. In addition, as a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that under certain circumstances it (and not John Hancock Small Company Fund or JHF III) will pay to FMA a specified amount if the FMA subadvisory agreement for John Hancock Small Company Fund is terminated within the five-year period. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser to John Hancock Small Company Fund and its shareholders, it will not support or recommend to the JHF III Board of Trustees any termination of the FMA subadvisory agreement with respect to John Hancock Small Company Fund for a five-year period. Neither JHF III nor either of John Hancock Small Company Fund or the predecessor FMA-managed fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or their respective boards of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the FMA subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving John Hancock Small Company Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the JHF III Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to FMA.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Relationships with Other Funds. JHIMS also is the investment adviser for all of the series of JHF II³, JHF III and JHT⁴.

The following John Hancock Funds’⁵ subadvisers also are subadvisers to JHF II and JHT:

1. MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.A.) Limited (“MFC Global (U.S.A.)”) is the subadviser to the Core Diversified Growth & Income Portfolio/Trust, Core Fundamental Holdings Portfolio/Trust, Core Global Diversification Portfolio/Trust, Index 500 Fund, 500 Index Trust, 500 Index Trust B, Money Market Fund/Trust, Money Market Trust B, Mid Cap Index Fund/Trust, Pacific Rim Trust, Optimized All Cap Fund/Trust, Optimized Value Fund/Trust, Small Cap Index Fund/Trust, Total Stock Market Index Fund/Trust, Lifestyle Portfolios/Trusts, Lifecycle Portfolios/Trusts, Index Allocation Trust, Retirement Distribution Portfolio, Retirement Rising Distribution Portfolio, Alternative Asset Allocation Fund, American Fundamental Holdings Trust, American Global Diversification Trust, Core Allocation Trust, Core Balanced Strategy Trust, Core Balanced Trust, Core Disciplined Diversification Trust, Core Strategy Trust, Franklin Templeton Founding Allocation Trust, International Index Trust and Smaller Company Growth Trust.

2. MFC Global (U.S.), LLC is the subadviser to the Active Bond Fund/Trust, Strategic Income Opportunities Fund/Trust, High Income Fund/Trust, Short Term Government Income Fund/Trust, Emerging Markets Debt Fund and Bond Trust.

3. GMO, LLC (“GMO”) is the subadviser to the Growth & Income Trust, International Growth Trust, Managed Trust, U.S. Multi Sector Fund/Trust and International Core Trust.

4. Rainier Investment Management Inc. (“Rainier”) is the subadviser to the Growth Equity Trust.

John Hancock Freedom 529. The John Hancock Freedom 529 is a national multi-managed Section 529 education savings plan. Several of the portfolios offered by John Hancock Freedom 529 are managed by the Adviser and Pzena is the subadviser.

John Hancock Private Client Group. MFC Global (U.S.) provides investment advisory services to the John Hancock Private Client Group which services separately managed accounts sponsored by broker dealers.

Management of Manulife Assets. The affiliated subadvisers, MFC Global (U.S.A.) and MFC Global (U.S.), provide investment advisory services to Manulife for “on balance sheet assets.”

Affiliates of Subadvisers That Distribute John Hancock Products. John Hancock Financial Network (affiliate of JHIMS, MFC Global (U.S.) and MFC Global (U.S.A.)).

	1		John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLP (JHIMS), a registered investment adviser.

	2		John Hancock Funds III (JHF III), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company under the 1940 Act;

	3		John Hancock Funds II (JHF II), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company registered under the 1940 Act;

	4		John Hancock Trust (JHT), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company registered under the 1940 Act; and

	5		John Hancock Funds consists of twelve Massachusetts business trusts organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are open-end investment management companies registered under the 1940 Act.

Proxy Voting Policies. The Trust’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Trust’s Procedures”) delegate to the Subadviser the responsibility to vote all proxies relating to securities held by that portfolio in accordance with the Subadviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures. A Subadviser has a duty to vote such proxies in the best interests of the portfolio and its shareholders. Complete descriptions of the Trust’s Procedures and the proxy voting procedures of the Subadviser are set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.

It is possible that conflicts of interest could arise for a Subadviser when voting proxies. Such conflicts could arise, for example, when the Subadviser or its affiliate has a client or other business relationship with the issuer of the security being voted or with a third party that has an interest in the vote. A conflict of interest could also arise when the Trust, its investment adviser or principal underwriter or any of their affiliates has an interest in the vote.

In the event a Subadviser becomes aware of a material conflict of interest, the Trust’s Procedures generally require the Subadviser to follow any conflicts procedures that may be included in the Subadvisers proxy voting procedures. Although conflicts procedures will vary among subadvisers, they generally include one or more of the following:

(a)		voting pursuant to the recommendation of a third party voting service;

(b)		voting pursuant to pre-determined voting guidelines; or

(c)		referring voting to a special compliance or oversight committee.

The specific conflicts procedures of the Subadviser are set forth in its proxy voting procedures included in Appendix C. While these conflicts procedures may reduce, they will not necessarily eliminate, any influence on proxy voting of conflicts of interest.

Although the Subadviser has a duty to vote all proxies on behalf of the portfolios it subadvises, it is possible that the subadviser may not be able to vote proxies under certain circumstances. For example, it may be impracticable to translate in a timely manner voting materials that are written in a foreign language or to travel to a foreign country when voting in person rather than by proxy is required. In addition, if the voting of proxies for shares of a security prohibits the subadviser from trading the shares in the marketplace for a period of time, the Subadviser may determine that it is not in the best interests of the Funds to vote the proxies. The Funds also may choose not to recall securities that have been lent in order to vote proxies for shares of the security since the portfolio would lose security lending income if the securities were recalled.

Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30^th is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 344-1029 (attention: Secretary) and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Other Accounts the Portfolio Managers are Managing. The table below indicates, for each portfolio manager, information about the accounts over which he or she has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of May 31, 2010. For purposes of the table, “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” may include investment partnerships and group trusts, and “Other Accounts” may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund


Portfolio Manager Name		Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA		Other Registered Investment Companies: Four (4) funds with total assets of approximately $1.1 billion.

		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None

		Other Accounts: None

Dianne M. Sales, CFA		Other Registered Investment Companies: Four (4) funds with total assets of approximately $1.1 billion.

		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None

		Other Accounts: None

New York Tax-Free Income Fund


Portfolio Manager Name		Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

Frank A. Lucibella, CFA		Other Registered Investment Companies: Four (4) funds with total assets of approximately $1.2 billion.

		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None

		Other Accounts: None

Dianne M. Sales, CFA		Other Registered Investment Companies: Four (4) funds with total assets of approximately $1.2 billion.

		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None

		Other Accounts: None

The Subadviser does not receive a fee based upon the investment performance of any of the accounts included under “Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers” in the table above.

When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, the Funds do not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager’s responsibility for the management of the Funds as well as one or more other accounts. The Subadviser has adopted procedures that are intended to monitor compliance with the policies referred to in the following paragraphs. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interests are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. The Subadviser has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interests. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below.

	•		A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings (“IPOs”) and private placements. If, for example, an IPO that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation on the IPO. The Subadviser has policies that require a portfolio manager to allocate such investment opportunities in an equitable manner and generally to allocate such investments proportionately among all accounts with similar investment objectives.

	•		A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same security for more than one account, the policies of the Subadviser generally require that such trades be “bunched,” which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances also may arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, the Subadviser will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client.

	•		A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager’s compensation is tied to the performance of that account rather than all accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager’s bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if the Subadviser receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager’s compensation. The investment performance on specific accounts is not a factor in determining the portfolio manager’s compensation. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below. The Subadviser does not receive a performance-based fee with respect to any of the other accounts managed by a portfolio manager.

	•		A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest. The Subadviser imposes certain trading restrictions and reporting requirements for accounts in which a portfolio manager or certain family members have a personal interest in order to confirm that such accounts are not favored over other accounts.

	•		If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest may arise. In making portfolio manager assignments, the Subadviser seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security. While these accounts have many similarities, the investment performance of each account will be different due to differences in fees, expenses and cash flows.

Compensation of Portfolio Managers. The Subadviser has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers and others involved in the investment process that is applied systematically among investment

professionals. At the Subadviser, the structure of compensation of investment professionals is currently comprised of the following basic components: base salary, and an annual investment bonus plan, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees of the Subadviser. A limited number of senior investment professionals, who serve as officers of both the Subadviser and its parent company, also may receive options or restricted stock grants of common shares of Manulife Financial. The following describes each component of the compensation package for the individuals identified as a portfolio manager for the Funds.

	•		Base salary. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. The Subadviser seeks to set compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional.

	•		Investment Bonus Plan. Only investment professionals are eligible to participate in the Investment Bonus Plan. Under the plan, investment professionals are eligible for an annual bonus. The plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the investment professional achieving superior investment performance and aligns the financial incentives of the Subadviser and the investment professional. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be well in excess of base salary. Payout of a portion of this bonus may be deferred for up to five years. While the amount of any bonus is discretionary, the following factors are generally used in determining bonuses under the plan:

	•		*Investment Performance*: The investment performance of all accounts managed by the investment professional over one-, three- and five-year periods are considered. The pre-tax performance of each account is measured relative to an appropriate peer group benchmark (for example a Morningstar large cap growth peer group if the fund invests primarily in large cap stocks with a growth strategy). With respect to fixed income accounts, relative yields are also used to measure performance.

	•		*The Profitability of the Subadviser*: The profitability of the Subadviser and its parent company are also considered in determining bonus awards, with greater emphasis placed upon the profitability of the Subadviser.

	•		*Non-Investment Performance:* The more intangible contributions of an investment professional to the Subadviser’s business, including the investment professional’s support of sales activities, new fund/strategy idea generation, professional growth and development, and management, where applicable, are evaluating in determining the amount of any bonus award.

•

Options and Stock Grants. A limited number of senior investment professionals may receive options to purchase shares of Manulife Financial stock. Generally, such option would permit the investment professional to purchase a set amount of stock at the market price on the date of grant. The option can be exercised for a set period (normally a number of years or until termination of employment) and the investment professional would exercise the option if the market value of Manulife Financial stock increases. Some investment professionals may receive restricted stock grants, where the investment professional is entitle to receive the stock at no or nominal cost, provided that the stock is forgone if the investment professional’s employment is terminated prior to a vesting date.

The Subadviser also permits investment professionals to participate on a voluntary basis in a deferred compensation plan, under which the investment professional may elect on an annual basis to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation until retirement. Participation in the plan is voluntary.

While the profitability of the Subadviser and the investment performance of the accounts that the investment professionals maintain are factors in determining an investment professional’s overall compensation, the investment professional’s compensation is not linked directly to the net asset value of any fund.

Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers. The following table indicates as of May 31, 2010 the value, within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Funds. For purposes of this table, the following letters represent the range indicated below:


A	—	$0
B	—	$1 - $10,000
C	—	$10,001 - $50,000
D	—	$50,001 - $100,000
E	—	$100,001 - $500,000
F	—	$500,001 - $1,000,000
G	—	More than $1 million



	Range of Beneficial Ownership
Portfolio Manager	MA Tax-Free Income Fund	NY Tax-Free Income Fund
Frank A. Lucibella, CFA	D	A
Dianne M. Sales, CFA	C	A

DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS

The Funds have a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds. Under the agreement John Hancock Funds is obligated to use its best efforts to sell shares of each class of the Funds. Shares of the Funds are also sold by selected broker-dealers, banks and registered investment advisors (“Selling Firms”) that have entered into selling agreements with John Hancock Funds. These Selling Firms are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Funds. John Hancock Funds accepts orders for the purchase of the shares of the Funds that are continually offered at NAV next determined, plus any applicable sales charge, if any. In connection with the sale of the Funds’ shares, John Hancock Funds and Selling Firms receive compensation from a sales charge imposed, in the case of Class A shares, at the time of sale. In the case of Class B and Class C, the Selling Firm receives compensation immediately but John Hancock Funds is compensated on a deferred basis.

Affiliated Underwriting Transactions by the Subadviser. The Funds have approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Funds may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the subadvisers participates. These procedures prohibit the Funds from directly or indirectly benefiting a subadviser affiliate in connection with such underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where a subadviser affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that the Funds could purchase.

Set forth below is a table reflecting the total underwriting commissions (sales charges) for sales of each of the Fund’s share classes for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009, and the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010.



		Total Underwriting		Total Underwriting		Total Underwriting
		Commissions year		Commissions period		Commissions year
		ended		ended		ended
Fund	Share Class	August 31, 2008		May 31, 2009		May 31, 2010
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	Class A	$	216,851	$	13,919	$	187,330
	Class B	$	25,149	$	4,942	$	2,445
	Class C	$	898	$	6,685	$	744
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	Class A	$	82,573	$	133,818	$	141,349
	Class B	$	6,351	$	4,606	$	5,560
	Class C	$	5	$	0.00	$	1,848

The Board has adopted distribution plans with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Funds (the “12b-1 Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the 12b-1 Plans, each Fund pays distribution and service fees at an aggregate annual rate of up to 0.30% for Class A shares, and 1.00% for Class B and Class C shares, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares of that class. However, the service fee will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares.

There are two types of Distribution Plans: “reimbursement” and “compensation” plans. While a reimbursement plan provides for reimbursement of certain distribution and shareholder service expenses of a fund, a compensation plan provides for direct payment of distribution and shareholder service fees to the distributor.

Under a reimbursement plan, if the aggregate payments received by the “Distributor in any fiscal year exceed the expenditures made by the Distributor in that year pursuant to that plan, the Distributor reimburses the Funds for the amount of the excess. If, however, the expenditures made by the Distributor on a Fund’s behalf during any fiscal year exceed the payments received under a class’ reimbursement plan, the Distributor is entitled to carry over such unreimbursed expenses with interest to be paid in subsequent fiscal years from available 12b-1 amounts. (Unreimbursed expenses for Class A shares are not carried over.) Neither Fund treats unreimbursed expenses under the Class B and Class C 12b-1 Plans as a liability of the Fund, because the Trustees could have terminated either of these Plans at any time with no additional liability to the shareholders or the Fund for these expenses.

On May 5, 2009, each Fund’s Class A and Class B shareholders approved proposals to change the 12b-1 Plans from “reimbursement” to “compensation” plans. While the amendments did not change the maximum amount that may be paid under these 12b-1 Plans to the Distributor in connection with the distribution of these shares of the Funds, the Distributor is no longer obligated to reimburse the Funds to the extent that such payments exceed distribution-related expenses incurred by the Distributor with respect to the Funds for a particular fiscal year. Under the compensation 12b-1 Plans for Class A and Class B shares, the Distributor will retain the entire amount of the payments made to it, even if such amount exceeds the Distributor’s actual distribution-related expenses for the applicable fiscal year. The Class C 12b-1 Plan will continue, however, to operate as a reimbursement plan.

Under the 12b-1 Plans, each Fund makes payments to the Distributor from assets attributable to particular share classes to compensate the Distributor and other selling dealers, various banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, for providing certain services to the holders of these share classes. Such services may include the following:

•		formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities;

•		preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;

•		preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and Fund reports to other than existing shareholders;

•		obtaining such information with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Distributor deems advisable;

•		making payments to dealers and others engaged in the sale of shares or who engage in shareholder support services; and

•		Providing training, marketing and support with respect to the sale of shares.

The Distributor may remit on a continuous basis all of the payments it receives to its registered representatives and other financial intermediaries as a trail fee in recognition of their services and assistance.

The Distributor makes payments to dealers on accounts for which such dealer is designated dealer of record. Payments are based on the average net asset value of the accounts. At least quarterly, the Distributor provides to the Board, and the Board reviews, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

Continuance of the 12b-1 Plans must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, annually. The 12b-1 Plans may be amended by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, except that the plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without approval of the shareholders of the affected class. Agreements entered into pursuant to the 12b-1 Plans terminate automatically in the event of an assignment and may be terminated upon a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities of the affected class.

During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the following amounts were paid pursuant to each Fund’s Rule 12b-1 Plans:



Fund	Share Class	Rule 12b-1 Payments for year ended May 31, 2010
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	Class A	$	305,067
	Class B	$	61,294
	Class C	$	170,138
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	Class A	$	154,862
	Class B	$	38,445
	Class C	$	66,752

During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the following unreimbursed expense amounts were paid pursuant to each Fund’s Class C Rule 12b-1 Plan:



				Unreimbursed Expenses as a
Fund	Share Class	Unreimbursed Expenses		Percent of Average Assets
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	Class C	$	352,752		2.17	%
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	Class C	$	254,982		3.89	%

The Plans and all amendments were approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans (the “Independent Trustees”), by votes cast in person at meetings called for the purpose of voting on such Plans.

Pursuant to the Plans, at least quarterly, John Hancock Funds provides each Fund with a written report of the amounts expended under the Plans and the purpose for which these expenditures were made. The Trustees review these reports on a quarterly basis to determine their continued appropriateness.

The Plans provide that they will continue in effect only so long as their continuance is approved at least annually by a majority of both the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Plans provide that they may be terminated without penalty (a) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, (b) by a vote of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding shares of the applicable class in each case upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock Funds, and (c) automatically in the event of assignment. The Plans further provide that they may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of the fees for the services described therein without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of the Fund that has voting rights with respect to the Plan. Each Plan provides that

no material amendment to the Plans will be effective unless it is approved by a vote of a majority of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the Funds. The holders of Class A, Class B, and Class C have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Plan applicable to their respective class of shares. In adopting the Plans the Trustees concluded that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the holders of the applicable class of shares of each Fund.

Amounts paid to John Hancock Funds by any class of shares, will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares, provided, however, that expenses attributable to each Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, the Funds may participate in joint distribution activities with other funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by the Funds in proportion to their relative NAVs.

During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the Funds paid John Hancock Funds the following amounts of expenses in connection with their services for each Fund.

Expense Items

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund



			Printing and
			Mailing of						Interest
			Prospectus to				Expenses of		Carrying or
			New		Compensation		John Hancock		Other Finance
	Advertising		Shareholders		to Selling Firms		Funds		Charges
Class A	$	7,510	$	799	$	96,092	$	200,666	$	-0-
Class B	$	1,509	$	161	$	19,307	$	40,318	$	-0-
Class C	$	3,983	$	291	$	79,212	$	86,651	$	-0-

Expense Items
New York Tax-Free Income Fund



			Printing and
			Mailing of						Interest
			Prospectus to				Expenses of		Carrying or
			New		Compensation		John Hancock		Other Finance
	Advertising		Shareholders		to Selling Firms		Funds		Charges
Class A	$	2,314	$	319	$	39,273	$	112,956	$	-0-
Class B	$	574	$	79	$	9,750	$	28,042	$	-0-
Class C	$	3	$	97	$	20,460	$	46,193	$	-0-

SALES COMPENSATION

As part of their business strategies, each Fund, along with The Distributor, pays compensation to Selling Firms that sell the Fund’s shares. These firms typically pass along a portion of this compensation to your broker or financial representative.

The two primary sources of Selling Firm compensation payments for Class A, Class B and Class C are (1) the 12 b-1 fees that are paid out of a Fund’s assets and (2) sales charges paid by investors. The sales charges and 12b-1 fees are detailed in the Prospectus and under the “Distribution Contracts” and “Deferred Sales Charge on Class B and Class C Shares” in this SAI. The portions of these expenses that are paid to Selling Firms are shown in the “First Year Brokerage or Other Selling Firm Compensation Chart.”

Initial compensation Whenever you make an investment in Class A, Class B or Class C shares of a Fund, the Selling Firm receives a reallowance/payment/commission as described in the “First Year Brokerage or Other Selling Firm Compensation” chart. The Selling Firm also receives the first year’s 12b-1 service fee at this time.

Annual compensation For Class A, Class B and Class C shares of a Fund, beginning in the second year after an investment is made; the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of its average daily net (aged) assets. In addition, beginning in the second year after an investment is made in Class C shares of a Fund; the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee in an amount not to exceed 0.75% of the average daily net (aged) assets. In certain cases, for Class A shares, 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.

Rollover Program Compensation. The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (“Rollover Compensation”) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock sponsored custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid to the broker-dealer at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. The Rollover Compensation is not related to the reallowance and/or Rule 12b-1 fees that a broker-dealer may earn as broker-dealer of record in connection with sales of John Hancock funds.

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds are primarily sold through financial intermediaries (firms), such as broker/dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. In addition to sales charges, which are payable by shareholders, or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees which are paid by the Funds, the Distributor may make, either from 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional payments to firms. These payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” Many firms that sell shares of the Funds receive one or more types of these cash payments. The categories of payments that John Hancock Funds provides to firms are described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and John Hancock Funds may make additional types of revenue sharing payments in the future. The same firms may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in John Hancock Funds’ efforts to promote the sale of the Funds’ shares. John Hancock Funds agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. John Hancock Funds determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. John Hancock Funds generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the funds and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts. John Hancock Funds does not make an independent assessment of the cost of providing such services.

As of July 1, 2010, the following member firms of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) have arrangements in effect with John Hancock Funds pursuant to which the firm is entitled to a revenue sharing payment:

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
AXA Advisors, LLC.
Banc of America Securities LLC
Cambridge Investment Research
Centaurus Financial
Charles Schwab
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network
Crown Capital Securities, L.P.
DA Davidson & Co

First Allied
First Tennessee
Geneos Wealth Management
H.D. Vest Investment Services
Harbour Investments, Inc.
Cetera — Financial Network Investment Corp.
Cetera — Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
Cetera — PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc.
Investors Capital Corp
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc
John Hancock Financial Network
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
LPL Financial Corporation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc
MML Investor Services, Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
NFP Securities
NPH — Invest Financial Corporation
NPH — Investment Center of America, Inc.
NPH — National Planning Corp
NPH — SII Investments, Inc.
Oppenheimer & Co. , Inc.
Raymond James Associates
Raymond James Financial Services
RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Securities America, Inc.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
TD Ameritrade
The Investment Center
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Wells Fargo Investments, LLC
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

John Hancock Funds also has arrangements with intermediaries that are not members of FINRA. Such firms also may receive revenue sharing payments.

Securities of Regular Broker Dealers. As of May 31, 2010, neither of the Funds held any securities of the Funds’ regular broker dealers (or the parent of the regular broker-dealers):

Sales and Asset Based Payments. John Hancock Funds makes revenue sharing payments as incentives to certain firms to promote and sell shares of the funds. John Hancock Funds hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the funds’ net assets, which, as well as benefiting the funds, would result in additional management and other fees for the John Hancock Advisers and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature certain funds in its sales system or give John Hancock Funds additional access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the a firm may agree to participate in the distributor’s marketing efforts of John Hancock Funds by allowing us it to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in

servicing its clients that have invested in the funds, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue sharing payments may provide you a firm with an incentive to favor the funds.

The revenue sharing payments John Hancock Funds makes may be calculated on sales of shares of funds (“Sales-Based Payments”). Such payments also may be calculated on the average daily net assets of the applicable funds attributable to that particular financial intermediary (“Asset-Based Payments”). Sales-Based Payments primarily create incentives to make new sales of shares of the funds and Asset-Based Payments primarily create incentives to retain previously sold shares of the funds in investor accounts. John Hancock Funds may pay a firm either or both Sales-Based Payments and Asset-Based Payments.

Administrative and Processing Support Payments. John Hancock Funds also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the funds for certain administrative services, including record keeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts, to the extent that the funds do not pay for these costs directly. John Hancock Funds also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the funds in connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing. The types of payments that John Hancock Funds may make under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges per purchase or exchange order placed by a financial intermediary, payment of networking fees in connection with certain mutual fund trading systems, or one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up funds on a firm’s mutual fund trading system.

Other Cash Payments. From time to time, John Hancock Funds, at its expense, may provide, either from 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional compensation to firms that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the funds. Such compensation provided by John Hancock Funds may include financial assistance to firms that enable John Hancock Funds to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events, and other firm-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with client prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. John Hancock Funds makes payments for entertainment events they deem appropriate, subject to John Hancock Funds’ guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship.

John Hancock Funds and its affiliates may have other relationships with firms relating to the provisions of services to the funds, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the Funds. If a firm provides these services, the investment adviser or the funds may compensate the firm for these services. In addition, a firm may have other compensated or uncompensated relationships with the investment adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the funds.

First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation


	Investor pays									Total Selling
	sales charge			Selling Firm			Selling Firm			Firm
	(% of offering			receives			receives 12b-1			Compensation
	price) (1)			commission (2)			service fee (3)			(4)(5)
Class A investments
Up to $99,999		4.50	%		3.76	%		0.25	%		4.00	%
$100,000 - $249,999		3.75	%		3.01	%		0.25	%		3.25	%
$250,000 - $499,999		3.00	%		2.26	%		0.25	%		2.50	%
$500,000 - $999,999		2.00	%		1.51	%		0.25	%		1.75	%

Investments of Class A shares of $1 million or more

First $1M — $4,999,999		—			0.75	%		0.25	%		1.00	%
Next $1 - $5M above that		—			0.25	%		0.25	%		0.50	%
Next $1 or more above that		—			0.00	%		0.25	%		0.25	%


	Investor pays								Total Selling
	sales charge		Selling Firm			Selling Firm			Firm
	(% of offering		receives			receives 12b-1			Compensation
	price) (1)		commission (2)			service fee (3)			(4)(5)
Investments of Class A shares by certain Retirement Plans ⁽⁶⁾

First $1 - $4,999,999		—		0.75	%		0.25	%		1.00	%
Next $1 - $5M above that		—		0.25	%		0.25	%		0.50	%
Next $1 or more above that		—		0.00	%		0.25	%		0.25	%

Class B investments

All amounts		—		3.75	%		0.25	%		4.00	%
Class C investments

All amounts		—		0.75	%		0.25	%		1.00	%


(1)		See “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares” for discussion on how to qualify for a reduced sales charge. John Hancock Funds may take recent redemptions into account in determining if an investment qualifies as a new investment.

(2)		For Class A investments under $1 million, a portion of the Selling Firm’s commission is paid out of the sales charge.

(3)		For Class A, B and C shares, the Selling Firm receives 12b-1 fees in the first year as a percentage of the amount invested and after the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. Monthly payments are made in arrears. In certain circumstances, 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. This compensation applies to the following: Selling Firms with a fee-based/WRAP program agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC, certain retirement platforms with over 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account or $1 million in plan assets, and Selling Firms that roll over assets from a terminated participant’s qualified plan, which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA investing in John Hancock funds. Monthly payments are made in arrears.

(4)		Selling Firm commission and 12b-1 service fee percentages are calculated from different amounts, and therefore may not equal the total Selling Firm compensation percentages if combined using simple addition.

(5)		Underwriter retains the balance.

(6)		Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges. These purchases consist of $1 million or more, purchases by employer sponsored defined contribution retirement plans investing $1 million or more, or with 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase.

Contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) revenues collected by John Hancock Funds, may be used to pay Selling Firm commissions when there is no initial sales charge.

NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV for each class of each Fund is determined each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) by dividing a class’s net assets by the number of its shares outstanding. On any day an international market is closed and the NYSE is open, any foreign securities will be valued at the prior day’s close with the current day’s exchange rate. Trading of foreign securities may take place on Saturdays and U.S. business holidays on which the Fund’s NAVs are not calculated. Consequently, the Funds’ portfolio securities may trade and the NAVs of the Funds’ redeemable securities may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder has no access to the Fund.

For purposes of calculating the Funds’ NAVs, the following procedures are utilized wherever applicable.

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods, which are generally described below. As noted in the Prospectus, portfolio securities also may be fair valued by a Fund’s Pricing Committee in certain instances.

Equity Securities Traded on Stock Exchanges

Most equity securities that are traded on stock exchanges (including securities traded in both the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market and on an exchange) are valued at the last sales prices as of the close of the exchange in the principal market on which the security trades, or, lacking any sales, at the closing bid prices. Certain exceptions exist. For example, securities traded on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are valued at the official closing price.

Securities Traded on the OTC Market

Securities traded only in the OTC market are generally valued at the last bid prices quoted by brokers that make markets in the securities at the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

Debt Securities and Convertible Securities

Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market value determined by the security’s most recent bid price (sales price if the principal market is an exchange) in the principal market in which it is normally traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities. Debt securities (other than certain short term debt securities that are valued at amortized cost) and convertible securities also may be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service. A number of pricing services are available and the Funds may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.

Short Term Debt Instruments

Certain short term debt instruments held by each of the Funds, will be valued on an amortized cost basis. Under this method of valuation, the instrument is initially valued at cost. For securities purchased at a discount or premium, the Fund assumes a constant proportionate amortization in value until maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While the amortized cost method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that would be received upon sale of the instrument.

Open-End Investment Companies

Shares of other open-end investment companies held by a Fund are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.

Securities Denominated in Foreign Currencies

The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the close of the NYSE.

Options and Futures Contracts

Exchange-traded options are valued at sale prices, if available, and at the mean of the bid and ask prices if a sale price is unavailable. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price.

Limited Partnerships and Pooled Investment Vehicles

The value of a Fund’s interest in entities such as limited partnerships and other pooled investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, will be determined by fair valuation. In general, the fair value of a Fund’s interest in a hedge fund will represent the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive from the hedge fund or from a third party if the Fund’s interest was redeemed or sold at the time of valuation, based on information available at the time the valuation is made that the Fund reasonably believes to be reliable. In determining fair value for investments in a hedge fund, a Fund ordinarily may rely upon the fair value information provided to it by the administrator for and/or manager of a hedge fund in which the Fund has invested, computed in compliance with the hedge fund’s valuation

policies and procedures, in addition to any other relevant information available at the time of valuation. In certain instances, a Fund’s Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Non-Negotiable Security

A non-negotiable security not treated as an illiquid security because it may be redeemed with the issuer, subject to a penalty for early redemption, shall be assigned a value that takes into account the reduced amount that would be received if it were liquidated at the time of valuation.

For purposes of calculating a Fund’s NAV, investment transactions are accounted for on a “trade date plus one basis” (i.e., the business day following the trade date). However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on the trade date.

INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES

Shares of each Fund are offered at a price equal to their NAV plus a sales charge that, at the option of the purchaser, may be imposed either at the time of purchase (the “initial sales charge”) or on a contingent deferred basis (the “contingent deferred sales charge or “CDSC”). Neither Fund issues share certificates any longer. Shares are electronically recorded. The Board reserves the right to change or waive the Fund’s minimum investment requirements and to reject any order to purchase shares (including purchase by exchange) when in the judgment of the Adviser such rejection is in the Fund’s best interest.

The sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A shares of the Funds are described in the Prospectus. Methods of obtaining reduced sales charges referred to generally in the Prospectus are described in detail below. In calculating the sales charge applicable to current purchases of Class A shares of the Funds, the investor is entitled to accumulate current purchases with the current offering price of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, ClassI2, Class T, Class ADV or all R shares classes of the John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor (see “Combination and Accumulation Privileges” below).

In order to receive the reduced sales charge, the investor must notify his/her financial advisor and/or the financial advisor must notify Signature Services, Inc. at the time of purchase of the Class A shares, about any other John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor, the investor’s spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household (see “Combination and Accumulation Privilege” below). This includes investments held in an individual retirement account, including those held at a broker or financial adviser other than the one handling your current purchase. Additionally, individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) also may be aggregated if the investments are for a single trust estate or for a group retirement plan. Assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside of the plan.

John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. Signature Services will automatically link certain accounts registered in the same client name, with the same taxpayer identification number, for the purpose of qualifying you for lower initial sales charge rates. You must notify Signature Services and your broker dealer (financial adviser) at the time of purchase of any eligible accounts held by your spouse or children under 21, living in the same household in order to insure these assets are linked to your accounts.

Without Sales Charge. Class A shares may be offered without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) to various individuals and institutions as follows:

•

A Trustee or officer of the Trust; a Director or officer of the Adviser and its affiliates, subadviser or Selling Firms; employees or sales representatives of any of the foregoing; retired officers, employees or Directors of any of the foregoing; a member of the immediate family (spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, parent,

sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, niece, nephew and same sex domestic partner; “Immediate Family”) of any of the foregoing; or any fund, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the individuals described above.

•		A broker, dealer, financial planner, consultant or registered investment advisor that has entered into a signed agreement with John Hancock Funds providing specifically for the use of Fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based investment products or services made available to their clients.

•		Individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to an IRA.

•		Individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to a ROTH IRA.

•		Individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, ROTH IRA, SEP, SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock Funds back to the original account type from which it was converted.

•		Terminating participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) assets held in a pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments.

•		Participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments.

•		Individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account.

NOTE: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in the Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 and not specified above as waiver eligible, will be subject to applicable sales charges.

•		A member of a class action lawsuit against insurance companies who is investing settlement proceeds.

•		Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

•		Retirement plans investing through the PruSolutions^sm program.

•		Participants in certain 529 Plans that have a signed agreement with John Hancock Funds. No CDSC will be due for redemptions on plan purchases made at NAV with no finder’s fee. However, if a plan had a finder’s fee or commission, and the entire plan redeemed within 12 months of the first investment in the plan, a CDSC would be due.

•

Participant directed retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account. Each of these employees may purchase Class A shares with no initial sales charge, if the plan sponsor notifies Signature Services of the number of employees at the time the account is established. However, if shares are redeemed within 12 months of the inception of the plan, a CDSC will be imposed at the following rate:


Amount Invested	CDSC Rate

First $1 to $4,999,999		1.00	%
Next $1 to $5M above that		0.50	%
Next $1 or more above that		0.25	%

Class A shares also may be purchased without an initial sales charge in connection with certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.

In Kind Re-registrations. A shareholder who withdraws funds via a tax reportable transaction, from one John Hancock fund account, that has previously paid a sales charge, and reregisters those assets directly to another John Hancock Fund account, without the assets ever leaving John Hancock Funds, may do so without paying a sales charge. The beneficial owner must remain the same, i.e., in kind.

Note: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in the Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 are not eligible for this provision, and will be subject to applicable sales charges.

Reducing Your Class A Sales Charges

Combination and Accumulation Privileges. In calculating the sales charge applicable to purchases of Class A shares made at one time, the purchases will be combined to reduce sales charges if made by (a) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household, purchasing securities for his or their own account, (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or group retirement plan and (c) groups that qualify for the Group Investment Program (see below). Individual qualified and non-qualified investments can be combined to take advantage of this privilege; however, assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside of the plan.

Class A investors also may reduce their Class A sales charge by taking into account not only the amount being invested but also the current offering price of all the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class T, Class ADV and all R share classes of all John Hancock funds already held by such person. However, Class A shares of John Hancock money market funds will only be eligible for the accumulation privilege if the investor has previously paid a sales charge on the amount of those shares. To receive a reduced sales charge, the investor must tell his/her financial advisor or Signature Services at the time of the purchase about any other John Hancock mutual funds held by that investor his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household. Further information about combined purchases, including certain restrictions on combined group purchases, is available from Signature Services or a Selling Firm’s representative.

Group Investment Program. Under the Combination and Accumulation Privileges, all members of a group may combine their individual purchases of Class A shares to potentially qualify for breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. This feature is provided to any group that (1) has been in existence for more than six months, (2) has a legitimate purpose other than the purchase of mutual fund shares at a discount for its members, (3) utilizes salary deduction or similar group methods of payment, and (4) agrees to allow sales materials of the fund in its mailings to members at a reduced or no cost to John Hancock Funds.

Letter of Intention. Reduced Class A sales charges under the Combination and Accumulation Privilege are also applicable to investments made pursuant to a Letter of Intention (the “LOI”), which should be read carefully prior to

its execution by an investor. The Fund offers two options regarding the specified period for making investments under the LOI. All investors have the option of making their investments over a specified period of thirteen (13) months. Individual investors who are using the Fund as a funding medium for their retirement plan account, however, may opt to make the necessary investments called for by the LOI over a forty-eight (48) month period. These retirement plans include traditional, Roth IRAs and Coverdell ESAs, SEP, SARSEP, 401(k), 403(b) (including TSAs), SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Money Purchase Pension, Profit Sharing and Section 457 plans. An individual’s non-qualified and qualified retirement plan investments can be combined to satisfy an LOI (either 13 or 48 months). Since some retirement plans are held in an omnibus account, an investor wishing to count retirement plan holdings towards a Class A purchase must notify Signature Services and his/her financial adviser of these holdings. Such an investment (including accumulations, combinations and reinvested dividends) must aggregate $100,000 or more during the specified period from the date of the LOI or from a date within ninety (90) days prior thereto, upon written request to Signature Services. Purchases made within 90 days prior to the signing of an LOI will be counted towards fulfillment of the LOI; however, the original sales charge will not be recalculated for this previous purchase. The sales charge applicable to all amounts invested after an LOI is signed is computed as if the aggregate amount intended to be invested had been invested immediately. If such aggregate amount is not actually invested, the difference in the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge payable had the LOI not been in effect is due from the investor. However, for the purchases actually made within the specified period (either 13 or 48 months) the sales charge applicable will not be higher than that which would have applied (including accumulations and combinations) had the LOI been for the amount actually invested.

The LOI authorizes Signature Services to hold in escrow sufficient Class A shares (approximately 5% of the aggregate) to make up any difference in sales charges on the amount intended to be invested and the amount actually invested, until such investment is completed within the specified period, at which time the escrowed Class A shares will be released. If the total investment specified in the LOI is not completed, the Class A shares held in escrow may be redeemed and the proceeds used as required to pay such sales charge as may be due. By signing the LOI, the investor authorizes Signature Services to act as his attorney-in-fact to redeem any escrowed Class A shares and adjust the sales charge, if necessary. A LOI does not constitute a binding commitment by an investor to purchase, or by the Fund to sell, any additional Class A shares and may be terminated at any time.

DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES

Investments in Class B and Class C shares are purchased at NAV per share without the imposition of an initial sales charge so that a Fund will receive the full amount of the purchase payment.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class B and Class C shares that are redeemed within six years or one year of purchase, respectively, will be subject to a CDSC”) at the rates set forth in the Prospectus as a percentage of the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the Class B or Class C shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase prices, including all shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

Class B shares are not available to retirement plans that had more than 100 eligible employees at the inception of a Fund account. You must notify Signature Services of the number of eligible employees at the time your account is established.

The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchases of both Class B and Class C shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of the month.

In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. It will be assumed that your redemption comes first from shares you have held beyond the six-year CDSC redemption period for Class B or one year CDSC redemption period for Class C, or those you acquired through dividend and capital gain reinvestment, and next from the shares you have held the

longest during the six-year period for Class B shares. For this purpose, the amount of any increase in a share’s value above its initial purchase price is not subject to a CDSC. Thus, when a share that has appreciated in value is redeemed during the CDSC period, a CDSC is assessed only on its initial purchase price.

When requesting a redemption for a specific dollar amount please indicate if you require the proceeds to equal the dollar amount requested. If not indicated, only the specified dollar amount will be redeemed from your account and the proceeds will be less any applicable CDSC.

Example:

You have purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share. The second year after your purchase, your investment’s NAV per share has increased by $2 to $12, and you have gained 10 additional shares through dividend reinvestment. If you redeem 50 shares at this time your CDSC will be calculated as follows:


•Proceeds of 50 shares redeemed at $12 per share (50 x 12)	$	600.00
•*Minus Appreciation ($12 - $10) x 100 shares		(200.00	)
•Minus proceeds of 10 shares not subject to CDSC (dividend reinvestment)		(120.00	)

•Amount subject to CDSC	$	280.00


*		The appreciation is based on all 100 shares in the account not just the shares being redeemed.

Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to John Hancock Funds and are used in whole or in part by John Hancock Funds to defray its expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Funds in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation to select Selling Firms for selling Class B and Class C shares. The combination of the CDSC and the distribution and service fees facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of the purchase.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of Class B and Class C shares and Class A shares that are subject to CDSC, unless indicated otherwise, in the circumstances defined below:

For all account types:

•		Redemptions made pursuant to a Fund’s right to liquidate your account if you own shares worth less than the stated minimum in the section “Opening an account” in the prospectus.

•		Redemptions made under certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.

•		Redemptions due to death or disability. (Does not apply to trust accounts unless trust is being dissolved.)

•		Redemptions made under the Reinstatement Privilege, as described in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” in the Prospectus.

•		Redemptions of Class B and Class C shares made under a periodic withdrawal plan or redemptions for fees charged by planners or advisors for advisory services, as long as your annual redemptions do not exceed 12% of your account value, including reinvested dividends, at the time you established your periodic withdrawal plan and 12% of the value of subsequent investments (less redemptions) in that account at the time you notify Signature Services. (Please note, this waiver does not apply to periodic withdrawal plan redemptions of Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC.)

•		Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

Please see matrix for some examples.


	401 (a) Plan
	(401 (k), MPP,
	PSP) 457 & 408
Type of	(SEPs & Simple			IRA, IRA	Non-
Distribution	IRAs)	403 (b)	457	Rollover	retirement
Death or Disability	Waived	Waived	Waived	Waived	Waived
Over 70 ¹/2	Waived	Waived	Waived	Waived for required minimum distributions*or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	12% of account value annually in periodic payments
Between 59 ¹/2 and 70 ¹/2	Waived	Waived	Waived	Waived for Life Expectancy or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	12% of account value annually in periodic payments
Under 59 ¹/2 (Class B and Class C only)	Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments	12% of account value annually in periodic payments
Loans	Waived	Waived	N/A	N/A	N/A
Termination of Plan	Not Waived	Waived	Not Waived	Not Waived	N/A
Hardships	Waived	Waived	Waived	N/A	N/A
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders	Waived	Waived	Waived	N/A	N/A
Termination of Employment Before Normal Retirement Age	Waived	Waived	Waived	N/A	N/A
Return of Excess	Waived	Waived	Waived	Waived	N/A


*		Required minimum distributions based on John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.

If you qualify for a CDSC waiver under one of these situations, you must notify Signature Services at the time you make your redemption. The waiver will be granted once Signature Services has confirmed that you are entitled to the waiver.

SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS

Although it would not normally do so, each Fund has the right to pay the redemption price of shares of the Fund in whole or in part in portfolio securities as prescribed by the Trustees. When the shareholder sells portfolio securities received in this fashion, the shareholder will incur a brokerage charge. Any such securities would be valued for the purposes of making such payment at the same value as used in determining NAV. Each Fund has, however, elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. Under that rule, each Fund must redeem its shares for cash except to the extent that the redemption payments to any shareholder during any 90-day period would exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV at the beginning of such period.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

Exchange Privilege. Each Fund permits exchanges of shares of any class for shares of the same class in any other John Hancock fund offering that same class. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Identical registration is determined by having the same beneficial owner on both accounts involved in the exchange.

Exchanges between funds are based on their respective NAVs. No sales charge is imposed, except on exchanges of Class A shares from Money Market Fund to another John Hancock fund, if a sales charge has not previously been paid on those shares. However, the shares acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC schedule of the shares acquired if and when such shares are redeemed. For purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon redemption of shares acquired in an exchange, the holding period of the original shares is added to the holding period of the shares acquired in an exchange.

If a retirement plan exchanges the plan’s Class A account in its entirety from a Fund to a non-John Hancock investment, the one-year CDSC applies.

Each Fund reserves the right to require that previously exchanged shares (and reinvested dividends) be in the Fund for 90 days before a shareholder is permitted a new exchange.

An exchange of shares is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and the purchase of shares of another for federal income tax purposes. An exchange may result in a taxable gain or loss. See “Tax Status.”

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Each Fund permits the establishment of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Payments under this plan represent proceeds arising from the redemption of Fund shares. Since the redemption price of the Fund shares may be more or less than the shareholder’s cost, which may result in realization of gain or loss for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes. The maintenance of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases of additional shares of the Fund could be disadvantageous to a shareholder because of the initial sales charge payable on such purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class B and Class C shares and because redemptions are taxable events. Therefore, a shareholder should not purchase shares at the same time a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is in effect. Each Fund reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of any shareholder on 30 days’ prior written notice to such shareholder, or to discontinue the availability of such plan in the future. The shareholder may terminate the plan at any time by giving proper notice to Signature Services.

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program (“MAAP”). The program is explained in the Class A, Class B and Class C Prospectus. The program, as it relates to automatic investment checks, is subject to the following conditions:

The investments will be drawn on or about the day of the month indicated.

The privilege of making investments through the MAAP may be revoked by Signature Services without prior notice if any investment is not honored by the shareholder’s bank. The bank shall be under no obligation to notify the shareholder as to the non-payment of any checks.

The program may be discontinued by the shareholder either by calling Signature Services or upon written notice to Signature Services that is received at least five (5) business days prior to the order date of any investment.

Reinstatement or Reinvestment Privilege. If Signature Services and your financial adviser are notified prior to reinvestment, a shareholder who has redeemed shares may, within 120 days after the date of redemption, reinvest without payment of a sales charge any part of the redemption proceeds in shares back into the same share class of the same John Hancock Fund and account from which it was removed, subject to the minimum investment limit in that fund. The proceeds from the redemption of Class A shares may be reinvested at NAV without paying a sales charge in Class A shares of the Fund. If a CDSC was paid upon a redemption, a shareholder may reinvest the proceeds from this redemption at NAV in additional shares of the same class and fund and account from which the redemption was made. The shareholder’s account will be credited with the amount of any CDSC charged upon the prior redemption and the new shares will continue to be subject to the CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will, for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption, include the holding period of the redeemed shares.

Redemption proceeds that are otherwise prohibited from being reinvested in the same account or the same fund may be invested in another account for the same shareholder in the same share class of the same fund (or different fund if original fund is no longer available) without paying a sales charge. Any such reinvestment is subject to the minimum investment limit.

Each Fund may refuse any reinvestment request and may change or cancel its reinvestment policies at any time.

A redemption or exchange of shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes even if the reinvestment privilege is exercised, and any gain or loss realized by a shareholder on the redemption or other disposition of shares will be treated for tax purposes as described under the caption “Tax Status.”

Retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch’s or the Princeton Retirement Group, Inc.’s servicing programs:

Class A shares are available at NAV for Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. retirement plans, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

For participating retirement plans investing in Class B shares, shares will convert to Class A shares after eight years, or sooner if the plan attains assets of $5 million (by means of a CDSC-free redemption/purchase at NAV).

Section 403(b)(7) of the Code permits public school employers and employers of certain types of tax-exempt organizations to establish for their eligible employees custodial accounts for the purpose of providing for retirement income for such employees. Treasury regulations impose certain conditions on exchanges between one custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b)(7) (the “exchanged account”) and another contract or custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b) (the “replacing account”) under the same employer plan (a “Section 403(b) Plan”). Specifically, the replacing account agreement must include distribution restrictions that are no less stringent than those imposed under the exchanged account agreement, and the employer must enter in an agreement with the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account under which the employer and the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account will from time to time in the future provide each other with certain information.

Due to these Regulations:

	1)		Neither Fund accepts requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts intended to qualify as a Section 403(b) Plan; and

	2)		Neither Fund accepts requests for exchanges or transfers into your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts (i.e., where yours is the replacing account); and

Each Fund requires certain signed disclosure documentation in the event:

	•		You established a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account with the Fund prior to September 24, 2007; and


	•		You direct the Fund on or after September 25, 2007 to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b) contract or account (i.e., where the exchanged account is with the Fund).

Neither Fund accepts salary deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts.

In the event that a Fund does not receive the required documentation, and you nonetheless direct the Fund to proceed with the transfer, the transfer may be treated as a taxable transaction.

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES

Shares of the Funds may be purchased or redeemed through certain Selling Firms. Selling Firms may charge the investor additional fees for their services. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Selling Firm, or if applicable, a Selling Firm’s authorized designee, receives the order. Orders may be processed at the NAV next calculated after the Selling Firm receives the order. The Selling Firm must segregate any orders it receives after the close of regular trading on the NYSE and transmit those orders to the relevant Fund for execution at NAV next determined. Some Selling Firms that maintain network/omnibus/nominee accounts with the Funds for their clients charge an annual fee on the average net assets held in such accounts for accounting, servicing, and distribution services they provide with respect to the underlying Fund shares. This fee is paid by the Adviser, the respective Fund and/or the Distributor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS’ SHARES

The Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Funds. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of the Funds, without par value. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the authority to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of two series of shares — John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund. Additional series may be added in the future. The Trustees have also authorized the issuance of three classes of shares of each series, designated as Class A, Class B and Class C.

The shares of each class of each Fund represent an equal proportionate interest in the aggregate net assets attributable to that class of the Fund. Holders of each class of shares have certain exclusive voting rights on matters relating to their respective distribution plans. The different classes of each Fund may bear different expenses relating to the cost of holding shareholder meetings necessitated by the exclusive voting rights of any class of shares. The Funds no longer issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Dividends paid by the Funds, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for differences resulting from the facts that: (i) the distribution and service fees relating to each class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class; (ii) Class B and Class C shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class A; (iii) each class of shares will bear any other class expenses properly allocable to such class of shares, subject to the conditions the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) imposes with respect to the multiple-class structures. Similarly, the NAV per share may vary depending on which class of shares is purchased. No interest will be paid on uncashed dividend or redemption checks.

In the event of liquidation, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the respective Fund available for distribution to these shareholders. Shares entitle their holders to one vote per share, are freely

transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. When issued, shares are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.

Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust, neither Fund has any intention of holding annual meetings of shareholders. The Trust’s shareholders may remove a Trustee by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Trust’s outstanding shares and the Trustees shall promptly call a meeting for such purpose when requested to do so in writing by the record holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. Shareholders may, under certain circumstances, communicate with other shareholders in connection with a request for a special meeting of shareholders. However, at any time that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office were elected by the shareholders, the Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could be, under certain circumstances, held personally liable for acts or obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts, obligations and affairs of the Funds. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification out of the Fund’s assets for all losses and expenses of any Fund shareholder held personally liable by reason of being or having been a shareholder. The Declaration of Trust also provides that no series of the Trust shall be liable for the liabilities of any other series. Furthermore, neither Fund shall be liable for the liabilities of any other John Hancock fund. Liability is therefore limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations, and the possibility of this occurrence is remote.

Each Fund reserves the right to reject any application that conflicts with the Funds’ internal policies or the policies of any regulatory authority. John Hancock Funds does not accept starter, credit card or third party checks. All checks returned by the post office as undeliverable will be reinvested at NAV in the fund or funds from which a redemption was made or dividend paid. Information provided on the account application may be used by a Fund to verify the accuracy of the information or for background or financial history purposes. A joint account will be administered as a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, unless the joint owners notify Signature Services of a different intent. A shareholder’s account is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For telephone transactions the transfer agent will take measures to verify the identity of the caller, such as asking for name, account number, Social Security or other taxpayer ID number and other relevant information. If appropriate measures are taken, the transfer agent is not responsible for any losses that may occur to any account due to an unauthorized telephone call. Also for your protection, telephone redemptions are not permitted on accounts whose names or addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Shares of the Funds may generally be sold only to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust also provides that the Board may approve the merger of a Fund with an affiliated mutual fund without shareholder approval, in accordance with the 1940 Act. This provision will permit mergers of affiliated funds without shareholder approval in certain circumstances to reduce the incurring the expense of soliciting proxies when a combination does not raise significant issues for shareholders. For example, this provision would permit the combination of two small funds having the same portfolio managers, the same investment objectives and the same fee structure in order to achieve economies of scale and thereby reduce fund expenses borne by shareholders. Such a merger will still require each fund’s board (including a majority of the independent trustees) to determine that the merger is in the best interests of the combining funds and will not dilute the interest of existing shareholders. The Trustees will evaluate any and all information reasonably necessary to make their determination and consider and give appropriate weight to all pertinent factors in fulfilling the overall duty of care owed to shareholders.

Shareholders of an acquired fund will still be required to approve a combination that would result in a change in a fundamental investment policy, a material change to the terms of an advisory agreement, the institution of or an increase in Rule 12b-1 fees or when the board of the surviving fund does not have a majority of independent trustees who were elected by its shareholders. Under Massachusetts law, shareholder approval is not required for fund

mergers, consolidation or sales of assets. Shareholder approval nevertheless will be obtained for combinations of affiliated funds when required by the 1940 Act. Shareholder approval also will be obtained for combinations with unaffiliated funds when deemed appropriate by the Trustees.

SAMPLE CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE

Class A shares of the Funds are sold with a maximum initial sales charge of 4.50%. Classes B and C shares are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges and with a 5.00% and 1.00% CDSC, respectively, on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. The following tables show the maximum offering price per share of each class of the Funds, using the Funds’ relevant NAVs as of May 31, 2010.


	NAV and		Maximum sales
	Redemption		charge (4.50%		Maximum
	Price Per Class		of offering		offering price
Fund	A Share		price)		to public¹
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	$	12.53	$	0.59	$	13.12
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	$	12.20	$	0.57	$	12.77

NAV, Offering Price and Redemption Price per Share


Fund	Class B²		Class C²
Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund	$	12.53	$	12.53
New York Tax-Free Income Fund	$	12.21	$	12.21


¹		NAV ÷ 95.5%. On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales, the offering price is reduced.

²		Redemption price is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

TAX STATUS

The Funds are treated as separate entities for accounting and tax purposes, have qualified as “regulated investment companies” under Subchapter M of the Code, and intend to continue to qualify for each taxable year. As such and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code regarding the sources of income, the timing of distributions, and the diversification of assets, the Funds will not be subject to federal income tax on their taxable income (including net realized capital gains) that is distributed to shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements of the Code.

To qualify as a regulated investment company for income tax purposes, a Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in stock, securities and currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

To qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. A Fund must have, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets represented by cash, cash items, United States government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities that, in respect of any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of the assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the voting securities of that issuer. In addition, at those times not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets may be invested in securities (other than United States government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of, (i) any one issuer, (ii) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses; or (iii) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

If a Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund would incur regular corporate income tax on its taxable income for that year, it would lose its deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and it would be subject to certain gain recognition and distribution requirements upon requalification. Further distributions of income by the Fund to its shareholders would be treated as dividend income, although such dividend income would constitute qualified dividend income subject to reduced federal income tax rates if the shareholder satisfies certain holding period requirements with respect to its shares in the Fund, which reduced rates are scheduled to expire after 2010. Compliance with the regulated investment company 90% qualifying income test and with the asset diversification requirements is carefully monitored by the Adviser and the Subadviser and it is intended that each Fund will comply with the requirements for qualification as regulated investment companies.

In order to avoid incurring a federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that a Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not including tax-exempt income) for such year, (ii) at least 98% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards and (iii) 100% of any income and capital gains from the prior year (as previously computed) that was not paid out during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. If a Fund fails to meet these requirements it will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. Each Fund intends under normal circumstances to seek to avoid or minimize liability for such tax by satisfying such distribution requirements.

The Funds expect to qualify to pay “exempt-interest dividends,” as defined in the Code. To qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, a Fund must, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, have at least 50% of the value of its total assets invested in municipal securities, the interest on which is excluded from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code. In purchasing municipal securities, the Funds intend to rely on opinions of nationally recognized bond counsel for each issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations from gross income for federal income tax purposes and, if available, the exemption of such interest from Massachusetts or New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Neither Fund will undertake independent investigations concerning the tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does either Fund guarantee or represent that bond counsels’ opinions are correct. Bond counsels’ opinions will generally be based in part upon covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws enacted principally during the 1980’s not only had the effect of limiting the purposes for which tax-exempt bonds could be issued and reducing the supply of such bonds, but also increased the number and complexity of requirements that must be satisfied on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time, interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a Fund’s distributions attributable to interest such Fund received on such bond for the current year and for prior years could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income. The availability of tax-exempt obligations and the value of each Fund’s portfolio may be affected by restrictive federal income tax legislation enacted in recent years or by similar future legislation.

If a Fund satisfies the applicable requirements, dividends paid by the Fund that are attributable to tax exempt interest on municipal securities and designated by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed to its shareholders within sixty days after the close of its taxable year may be treated by shareholders as items of interest excludable from their gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code. The recipient of tax-exempt income is required to report such income on his federal income tax return. However, a shareholder is advised to consult his tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain the exclusion under Section 103(a) if such shareholder would be treated as a “substantial user” or “related person” thereof under Section 147(a) with respect to any of the tax-exempt obligations held by a Fund. The Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of a Fund is not deductible to the extent it is deemed related to the Fund’s exempt-interest dividends. Pursuant to published guidelines, the IRS may deem indebtedness to have been incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying shares of the Funds even though the borrowed money may not be directly traceable to the purchase of shares.

Although all or a substantial portion of the dividends paid by a Fund may be excluded by such Fund’s shareholders from their gross income for federal income tax purposes, each Fund may purchase specified private activity bonds,

the interest from which (including the Fund’s distributions attributable to such interest) may be a preference item for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax (both individual and corporate). All exempt-interest dividends from a Fund, whether or not attributable to private activity bond interest, may increase a corporate shareholder’s liability, if any, for corporate alternative minimum tax and will be taken into account in determining the extent to which a shareholder’s Social Security or certain railroad retirement benefits are taxable.

Distributions other than exempt-interest dividends from a Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”) will be taxable under the Code for investors who are subject to tax. Taxable distributions include distributions from a Fund that are attributable to (i) taxable income, including but not limited to taxable bond interest, recognized market discount income, original issue discount income accrued with respect to taxable bonds, income from repurchase agreements, income from securities lending, income from dollar rolls, income from interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars, and a portion of the discount from certain stripped tax-exempt obligations or their coupons or (ii) capital gains from the sale or constructive sale of securities or other investments (including from the disposition of rights to when-issued securities prior to issuance) or from options and futures contracts. If these distributions are paid from a Fund’s “investment company taxable income,” they will be taxable as ordinary income; and if they are paid from a Fund’s “net capital gain,” they will be taxable as long-term capital gain. (Net capital gain is the excess (if any) of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, and investment company taxable income is all taxable income and capital gains or losses, other than those gains and losses included in computing net capital gain, after reduction by deductible expenses.) Some distributions may be paid in January but may be taxable to shareholders as if they had been received on December 31 of the previous year. The tax treatment described above will apply without regard to whether distributions are received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the applicable Fund.

Distributions, if any, in excess of E&P will constitute a return of capital under the Code, which will first reduce an investor’s federal tax basis in Fund shares and then, to the extent such basis is exceeded, will generally give rise to capital gains. Amounts that are not allowable as a deduction in computing taxable income, including expenses associated with earning tax-exempt interest income, do not reduce a Fund’s current earnings and profits for these purposes. Consequently, the portion, if any, of a Fund’s distributions from gross tax-exempt interest income that exceeds its net tax-exempt interest would be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of such disallowed deductions even though such excess portion may represent an economic return of capital. Shareholders who have chosen automatic reinvestment of their distributions will have a federal tax basis in each share received pursuant to such a reinvestment equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive the distribution in cash, divided by the number of shares received in the reinvestment.

After the close of each calendar year, each Fund will inform shareholders of the federal income tax status of its dividends and distributions for such year, including the portion of such dividends that qualifies as tax-exempt and the portion, if any, that should be treated as a tax preference item for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. Shareholders who have not held shares of a Fund for its full taxable year may have designated as tax-exempt or as a tax preference item a percentage of distributions that is not equal to the actual amount of a pro rata share of tax-exempt income or tax preference item income earned by such Fund during the period of their investment in the Fund.

The amount of a Fund’s net realized capital gains, if any, in any given year will vary depending upon the Adviser’s current investment strategy and whether the Adviser believes it to be in the best interest of the Funds to dispose of portfolio securities and/or engage in options or futures transactions that will generate capital gains. At the time of an investor’s purchase of a Fund’s shares, a portion of the purchase price is often attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio. Consequently, subsequent distributions on these shares from such appreciation may be taxable to such investor even if the NAV of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such shares, and the distributions in reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

Upon a redemption or other disposition of shares of a Fund (including by exercise of the exchange privilege) in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, a shareholder will ordinarily realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the amount of the proceeds and the investor’s basis in his shares. Such gain or loss will be treated

as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands. A sales charge paid in purchasing shares of a Fund cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent shares of the Fund or another John Hancock fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a sales charge pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. This disregarded charge will result in an increase in the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. Also, any loss realized on a redemption or exchange may be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to automatic dividend reinvestments. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of all exempt-interest dividends paid with respect to such shares and, to the extent in excess of the amount disallowed, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding their particular circumstances to determine whether a disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in the foregoing discussion.

Although each Fund’s present intention is to distribute, at least annually, all net capital gain, if any, each Fund reserves the right to retain and reinvest all or any portion of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss in any year. A Fund will not, in any event, distribute net capital gain realized in any year to the extent that a capital loss is carried forward from prior years against such gain. To the extent such excess was retained and not exhausted by the carryforward of prior years’ capital losses, it would be subject to federal income tax in the hands of the Fund. Upon proper designation of this amount by a Fund, each shareholder would be treated for federal income tax purposes as if the Fund had distributed to him on the last day of its taxable year his pro rata share of such excess, and he had paid his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund and reinvested the remainder in the Fund. Accordingly, each shareholder would (a) include his pro rata share of such excess as long-term capital gain in his return for his taxable year in which the last day of the Fund’s taxable year falls; (b) be entitled either to a tax credit on his return for, or to a refund of, his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund; and (c) be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis for his shares in the Funds by the difference between his pro rata share of such excess and his pro rata share of such taxes.

For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own net capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to the Fund and, as noted above, would not be distributed to shareholders. The Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund has $213,674 of capital loss carryforwards available, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards expire in 2018. The New York Tax-Free Income Fund has $415,985 of capital loss carryforwards available, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards expire at various times and amounts from 2011 through 2012.

The Funds’ dividends and capital gain distributions will not qualify for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income.

The Funds’ dividends and capital gain distributions will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

Each Fund is required to accrue original issued discount (“OID”) on certain debt securities (including zero coupon or deferred payment obligations) that have OID prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. The mark to market or constructive sale rules applicable to certain options and futures contracts or other transactions also may require a Fund to recognize income or gain without a concurrent receipt of cash. However, a Fund must distribute to shareholders for each taxable year substantially all of its net income and net capital gains, including such income or gain, to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for any federal income or excise tax. Therefore, a Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or borrow the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.

The federal income tax rules applicable to certain structured or indexed securities, interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars, dollar rolls and possibly other investments or transactions, are unclear in certain respects, and each Fund will account for these investments or transactions in a manner intended to preserve its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid material tax liability.

Each Fund will be required to report to the IRS all taxable distributions to shareholders, as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt recipients, i.e., corporations and certain other investors distributions to which are exempt from the information reporting provisions of the Code. Under the backup withholding provisions of Code Section 3406 and applicable Treasury regulations, all such reportable distributions and proceeds may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the applicable Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers and certain certifications required by the IRS or if the IRS or a broker notifies a Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend income. However, a Fund’s taxable distributions may not be subject to backup withholding if the Fund can reasonably estimate that at least 95% of its distributions for the year will be exempt-interest dividends. A Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required taxpayer identification number or certification that the number provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Investors should consult their tax advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

Each Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lower rating categories or are unrated. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of default present special tax issues for the Funds. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Funds may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income, and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. If a Fund invests in these debt obligations, it will address these issues in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and seek to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise tax.

Certain options and futures transactions undertaken by a Fund may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking to market even though its positions have not been sold or terminated and affect the character as long-term or short-term and timing of some capital gains and losses realized by the Fund. Additionally, a Fund may be required to recognize gain (subject to tax distribution requirements) if an option, futures contract, notional principal contract, or a combination thereof is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position in such Fund’s portfolio. Also, certain of a Fund’s losses on its transactions involving options or futures contracts and/or offsetting or successor Fund positions may be deferred rather than being taken into account currently in calculating the Fund’s taxable income or gain. Some of these transactions also may cause a Fund to dispose of investments sooner than would otherwise have occurred. These transactions may therefore affect the amount, timing and character of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Each Fund will take into account the special tax rules (including consideration of available elections) applicable to options and futures transactions in order to seek to minimize any potential adverse tax consequences.

If a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of regulated investment companies.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates) subject to tax under such law. Dividends (including exempt-interest dividends), capital gain distributions, and ownership of or gains realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of shares of a Fund also may be subject to state and local taxes, except as

described below. The discussion does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as insurance companies and financial institutions. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to the federal, state or local tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, a Fund in their particular circumstances.

Non-U.S. investors not engaged in a U.S. trade or business with which their investment in a Fund is effectively connected will be subject to U.S. federal income tax treatment different from that described above. These investors may be subject to non-resident alien withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty) on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the Funds and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8, W-8BEN or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain other payments from a Fund. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisers regarding such treatment and the application of foreign taxes to an investment in a Fund.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Neither Fund is subject to Massachusetts corporate excise or franchise taxes. Each Fund anticipates that, provided that the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, it also will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income tax.

Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund

To the extent that exempt-interest dividends paid to shareholders by the Fund are derived from interest on tax-exempt bonds of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or its political subdivisions or Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam and are properly designated as such, these distributions will be exempt from Massachusetts personal income tax. For Massachusetts personal income tax purposes, dividends from the Fund’s taxable net investment income, tax-exempt income from obligations not described in the preceding sentence, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital gains, if any, will generally be taxable as ordinary income, whether received in cash or additional shares. However, any dividends that are properly designated as attributable to interest the Fund receives on direct U.S. Government obligations will not be subject to Massachusetts personal income tax. Dividends properly designated as from net capital gain are generally taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long shareholders have held their Fund shares. However, a portion of such a long-term capital gains distribution will be exempt from Massachusetts personal income tax if it is properly designated as attributable to gains realized on the sale of certain tax-exempt bonds issued pursuant to Massachusetts statutes that specifically exempt such gains from Massachusetts taxation. Dividends from investment income (including exempt-interest dividends) and from capital gains will be subject to, and shares of the Fund will be included in the net worth of intangible property corporations for purposes of, the Massachusetts corporation excise tax if received by a corporation subject to such tax.

For Massachusetts personal income tax purposes, long-term capital gains from the sale of a capital asset will be taxed at the rate of 5.3% (this rate may change in subsequent years). Massachusetts resident individuals, as well as estates or personal trusts subject to Massachusetts income taxation, are subject to this tax structure with respect to redemption, exchanges or other dispositions of their shares of the Fund, assuming that they hold their shares of the Fund as capital assets for Massachusetts tax purposes.

New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Exempt-interest dividends derived from interest on tax-exempt bonds of New York State and its political subdivisions and authorities and certain other governmental entities (for example, U.S. possessions), paid by the Fund to New York resident individuals, estates and trusts otherwise subject to these taxes, will not be subject to New York State and New York City personal income taxes and certain municipal tax surcharges.

Dividends, whether received in cash or additional shares, derived from the Fund’s other investment income (including interest on U.S. Government obligations and tax-exempt bonds other than those described in the preceding paragraph), and from the Fund’s net realized short-term capital gains, are taxable for New York State and

New York City personal income tax purposes as ordinary income. Tax surcharges also will apply. Dividends derived from net realized long-term capital gains of the Fund are taxable as long-term capital gains for New York State and New York City personal income tax purposes regardless of the length of time shareholders have held their shares.

Dividends derived from investment income and capital gains, including exempt-interest dividends, will be subject to the New York State franchise tax and the New York City General Corporation Tax if received by a corporation subject to those taxes. Certain distributions may, however, be eligible for a 50% dividend subtraction. Shares of the Fund will be included in a corporate shareholder’s investment capital in determining its liability, if any, for these taxes.

Under New York tax law, a portion of interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of an investment company paying dividends that are exempt from the New York State and New York City personal income taxes, such as the Fund, will not be deductible by the investor for New York State and New York City personal income tax purposes.

All investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax provisions described above and any additional taxes to which they may be subject, including but not limited to minimum taxes, tax surcharges, and taxes based on or affected by the ownership of intangible property such as mutual fund shares.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

Decisions concerning the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and the allocation of brokerage commissions are made by the Subadviser’s investment and/or trading personnel. Orders for purchases and sales of securities are placed in a manner, which, in the opinion of such personnel, will offer the best price and market for the execution of each such transaction. The Funds’ trading practices and investments are reviewed periodically by the Subadviser’s Senior Investment Policy Committee and its Brokerage Practices Committee, which consists of officers of the Subadviser and quarterly by the officers of the Adviser and the Independent Trustees who are interested persons of the Funds.

Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities may include a commission or commissions paid by the issuer and transactions with dealers serving as market maker reflect a “spread.” Investments in debt securities are generally traded on a “net” basis through dealers acting for their own account as principals and not as brokers; no brokerage commissions are payable on these transactions. In the U.S. Government securities market, securities are generally traded on a net basis with dealers acting as principal for their own account without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. On occasion, certain money market instruments and agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in which case no commissions or premiums are paid. Investments in equity securities are generally traded on exchanges or on over-the-counter markets at fixed commission rates or on a net basis. In other countries, both debt and equity securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates. Commissions on foreign transactions are generally higher than the negotiated commission rates available in the U.S. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges and broker-dealers than in the U.S.

The Funds’ primary policy is to execute all purchases and sales of portfolio instruments at the most favorable prices consistent with best execution, considering all of the costs of the transaction including brokerage commissions. The policy governs the selection of brokers and dealers and the market in which a transaction is executed. Consistent with best execution, each Fund’s trades may be executed by dealers that also sell shares of John Hancock funds. However, the Subadviser does not consider sales of shares of the Funds as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute the Funds’ portfolio transactions. To the extent consistent with the foregoing, the Funds will be governed in the selection of brokers and dealers, and the negotiation of brokerage commission rates and dealer spreads, by the reliability and quality of the services and may include, to a lesser extent, the availability and value of research information and statistical assistance furnished to the Adviser and Subadviser of the Funds. The Subadviser has implemented policies and procedures (approved by the Board) reasonably designed to ensure that the Funds’ selection of the broker-dealer is not influenced by considerations about the sales of the Funds’ shares.

Where research is available for cash payments, the Subadviser may pay for such research from its own resources, and not with brokerage commissions. In other cases, as permitted by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, a Fund may pay to a broker that provides brokerage and research services to the Funds an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission that another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. This practice is subject to a good faith determination by the Trustees that such price is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. “Commissions,” as interpreted by the SEC, include fees paid to brokers for trades conducted on an agency basis, and certain mark-ups, mark-downs, commission equivalents and other fees received by dealers in riskless principal transactions placed in the over-the-counter market.

The term “brokerage and research services” includes research services received from broker-dealers that supplement the Subadviser’s own research (and the research of its affiliates), and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on the U.S. and foreign economies, industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to the U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on federal, state, local and foreign political developments; portfolio management strategies; performance information on securities, indexes and investment accounts; and information concerning prices and ratings of securities. Broker-dealers may communicate such information electronically, orally, in written form or on computer software. Research services also may include the providing of electronic communication of trade information and, the providing of specialized consultations with the Subadviser’s personnel with respect to computerized systems and data furnished as a component of other research services, the arranging of meetings with management of companies, and the providing of access to consultants who supply research information.

The outside research assistance is useful to the Subadviser since the broker-dealers used by the Subadviser tend to follow a broader universe of securities and other matters than the Subadviser’s staff can follow. In addition, the research provides the Subadviser with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research services provided to the Subadviser by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by the Subadviser or by its affiliates. Some broker-dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by the Subadviser’s clients, including the Funds. However, the Funds are not under any obligation to deal with any broker-dealer in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.

The Subadviser believes that the research services are beneficial in supplementing the Subadviser’s research and analysis and that they improve the quality of the Subadviser’s investment advice. It is not possible to place a dollar value on information and services to be received from brokers and dealers, since it is only supplementary to the research efforts of the Subadviser. The advisory fee paid by the Funds is not reduced because the Subadviser receives such services. The receipt of research information is not expected to reduce significantly the expenses of the Subadviser. However, to the extent that the Subadviser would have purchased research services had they not been provided by broker-dealers, or would have developed comparable information through its own staff, the expenses to the Adviser or Subadviser could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. The research information and statistical assistance furnished by brokers and dealers may benefit the Life Company or other advisory clients of the Subadviser, and conversely, brokerage commissions and spreads paid by other advisory clients of the Subadviser may result in research information and statistical assistance beneficial to the Funds. The Funds will make no commitment to allocate portfolio transactions upon any prescribed basis.

Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical, research and other factual information or service to the Subadviser for no consideration other than brokerage or underwriting commissions. Securities may be bought or sold from time to time through such broker-dealers on behalf of the Funds or the Subadviser’s other clients.

In effecting portfolio transactions on behalf of the Funds and the Subadviser’s other clients, the Subadviser may from time to time instruct the broker-dealer that executes the transaction to allocate, or “step-out,” a portion of the transaction to another broker-dealer. The broker-dealer to which the Subadviser “stepped-out” would then settle and

complete the designated portion of the transaction. Each broker-dealer would receive a commission or brokerage fee with respect to that portion of the transaction that it settles and completes.

While the Subadviser will be primarily responsible for the allocation of the Funds’ brokerage business, the policies and practices of the Subadviser in this regard must be consistent with the foregoing and at all times be subject to review by the Trustees.

Brokerage Commissions Paid. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, the period from September 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009 and the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, neither Fund paid any negotiated brokerage commissions.

Commission Recapture Program. The Board has approved each Fund’s participation in a commission recapture program. Commission recapture is a form of institutional discount brokerage that returns commission dollars directly to a fund. It provides a way to gain control over the commission expenses incurred on a Fund’s behalf by the Subadviser, which can be significant over time and thereby reduces expenses, improves cash flow and conserves assets. A Fund can derive commission recapture dollars from both equity trading commissions and fixed-income (commission equivalent) spreads. From time to time, the Board reviews whether participation in the recapture program is in the best interests of the Funds.

Affiliated Brokerage. Pursuant to procedures determined by the Trustees and consistent with the above policy of obtaining best net results, the Funds may execute portfolio transactions with or through brokers affiliated with the Adviser and/or the Subadviser (“Affiliated Brokers”). Affiliated Brokers may act as broker for the Funds on exchange transactions, subject, however, to the general policy of the Funds set forth above and the procedures adopted by the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act. Commissions paid to an Affiliated Broker must be at least as favorable as those that the Trustees believe to be contemporaneously charged by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold. A transaction would not be placed with an Affiliated Broker if the Funds would have to pay a commission rate less favorable than the Affiliated Broker’s contemporaneous charges for comparable transactions for its other most favored, but unaffiliated, customers except for accounts for which the Affiliated Broker acts as clearing broker for another brokerage firm, and any customers of the Affiliated Broker not comparable to the Funds as determined by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds, the Adviser, the Subadviser or the Affiliated Broker. Because the Adviser or subadviser that is affiliated with the Affiliated Broker has, as an investment adviser to the Funds, the obligation to provide investment management services, which includes elements of research and related investment skills such research and related skills will not be used by the Affiliated Broker as a basis for negotiating commissions at a rate higher than that determined in accordance with the above criteria.

The Adviser’s indirect parent, Manulife Financial, is the indirect sole shareholder of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer (“Signator”). The Adviser’s indirect parent, Manulife Financial, is the parent of another broker-dealer, John Hancock Distributors, LLC (“JH Distributors”). Each of Signator and JH Distributors is considered an Affiliated Broker.

Allocation Among Subadviser Clients. Other investment advisory clients advised by the Subadviser also may invest in the same securities as the Funds. When these clients buy or sell the same securities at substantially the same time, the Subadviser may average the transactions as to price and allocate the amount of available investments in a manner that the Subadviser believes to be equitable to each client, including the Funds. Because of this, client accounts in a particular style may sometimes not sell or acquire securities as quickly or at the same prices as they might if each were managed and traded individually.

For purchases of equity securities, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each participating account pro rata based on the order size. For high demand issues (for example, initial public offerings), shares will be allocated pro rata by account size as well as on the basis of account objective, account size (a small account’s allocation may be increased to provide it with a meaningful position), and the account’s other holdings. In addition, an account’s allocation may be increased if that account’s portfolio manager was responsible

for generating the investment idea or the portfolio manager intends to buy more shares in the secondary market. For fixed income accounts, generally securities will be allocated when appropriate among accounts based on account size, except if the accounts have different objectives or if an account is too small to get a meaningful allocation. For new issues, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each account pro rata based on the order size. However, if a partial allocation is too small to be meaningful, it may be reallocated based on such factors as account objectives, strategies, duration benchmarks and credit and sector exposure. For example, value funds will likely not participate in initial public offerings as frequently as growth funds. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Funds or the size of the position obtainable for it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by law, the Subadviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Funds with those to be sold or purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.

TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Manulife Financial, is the transfer and dividend paying agent for the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Funds.

Effective July 1, 2010, the fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services of providing services to the Trust and to all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which Signature Services serves as transfer agent (“Signature Services Cost”). Signature Service Cost includes: (i) an allocable portion of John Hancock corporate overhead; and (ii) out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made by Signature Services to intermediaries and other third-parties whose clients and/or customers invest in one or more funds for sub-transfer agency and administrative services provided to those clients/customers. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated by Signature Services among four different categories as described below based generally on the Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to each category in the aggregate. Within each category, Signature Services Cost is allocated across all of the John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes for which Signature Services provides transfer agent services, on the basis of relative average daily NAVs.

Municipal Bond Funds. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Costs associated with providing services to Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of all John Hancock affiliated municipal bond funds for which it serves as transfer agent, including out-of-pocket expenses for subtransfer agency fees, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. John Hancock municipal bond funds currently only offer Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

Retail Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Costs associated with providing services to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class ADV and Class T shares of all non-municipal series of the Trust and of all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent, including out-of-pocket expenses for subtransfer agency fees, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all Class A, B and C shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. The Trust does not currently offer any non-municipal bond funds, and no such funds are described in this SAI.

Institutional Share Classes. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Costs associated with providing services to Class I and Class I2 shares of the Trust and all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. The Funds described in this SAI do not offer Class I or Class I2 shares.

Retirement Share Classes. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Costs associated with providing services to Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares of the Trust and all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. In addition, payments made to intermediaries and/or record keepers under Class R Service plans will be made by each relevant fund on a fund- and class-specific basis pursuant to the applicable plan. The Funds described in this SAI do not offer Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares.

In applying the foregoing methodology, Signature Services seeks to operate its aggregate transfer agency operations on an “at cost” or “break even” basis. The allocation of aggregate transfer agency costs to categories of funds and/or classes assets seeks to ensure that shareholders of each class within each category will pay the same or a very similar level of transfer agency fees for the delivery of similar services. Under this methodology, the actual costs associated with providing particular services to a particular fund and/or share classes during a period of time, including payments to intermediaries for sub-transfer agency services to clients or customers whose assets are invested in a particular fund or share class, are not charged to and borne by that particular fund or share classes during that period. Instead, they are included in Signature Services Cost, which is then allocated to the applicable aggregate asset category described above and then allocated to all assets in that category based on relative NAVs. Applying this methodology could result in some funds and/or classes having higher or lower transfer agency fees than they would have had if they bore only fund- or class-specific costs directly or indirectly attributable to them, or if the Trust continued to charge transfer agent fees based on the methodology in effect prior to July 1, 2010 (as described below).

Prior to July 1, 2010, the Funds paid Signature Services monthly a fee that was based on an annual rate of $17.50 for each Class A, Class B and Class C shareholder account. The Funds also paid Signature Services monthly a fee that was based on an annual rate of 0.010% of average daily net assets attributable to each Fund for Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

Prior to July 1, 2010, for shares held of record in omnibus or other group accounts where administration and other shareholder services are provided by the Selling Firm or group administrator, the Selling Firm or administrator charged a service fee to the Fund. For such shareholders, Signature Services did not charge its account fee.

Prior to June 1, 2008, the annual per-account fee amounted to $16.00 for Class A shares and $18.50 for Class B shares.

For shares held of record in omnibus or other group accounts where administration and other shareholder services are provided by the Selling Firm or group administrator, the Selling Firm or administrator will charge a service fee to the Fund. For such shareholders, Signature Services does not charge its account fee.

CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO

Portfolio securities of each Fund are held pursuant to a custodian agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), Lafayette Corporate Center, Two Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 92111. Under the custodian agreement, State Street performs custody, foreign custody manager and fund accounting services.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The financial statements of the Funds for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, including the related financial highlights that appear in the Prospectuses, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon said report given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PwC has offices at 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

On June 25, 2007, the Adviser and the Distributor and two of their affiliates (collectively, the “John Hancock Affiliates”) reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that resolved an investigation of certain practices relating to the John Hancock Affiliates’ variable annuity and mutual fund operations involving directed brokerage and revenue sharing. Under the terms of the settlement, each John Hancock Affiliate was censured and agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the United States Treasury. In addition, the Adviser and the Distributor agreed to pay disgorgement of $2,087,477 and prejudgment interest of $359,460 to entities, including certain John Hancock Funds, that participated in the Adviser’s directed brokerage program during

APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt instruments they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt instruments with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt instruments of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

MOODY’S

Aaa: Obligations rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A: Obligations rated ‘A’ are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated ‘Baa’ are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba: Obligations rated ‘Ba’ are judged to have speculative elements are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Obligations rated ‘B’ are considered speculative elements and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Obligations rated ‘Caa’ are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Obligations rated ‘Ca’ are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C: Obligations rated ‘C’ are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

S&P

AAA: An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA: An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A: An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB: An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C: Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’ ‘CC’ and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

A-1

BB: An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B: An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC: An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC: An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C: The ‘C’ rating may be used to over a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

D: An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

FITCH

Investment Grade

AAA: Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

A-2

Speculative Grade

BB: Speculative.

•

‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B: Highly speculative.

•

For issuers and performing obligations, ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

•

For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R1’ (outstanding).

CCC:

•

For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

•

For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R2’ (superior), or ‘R3’ (good) or ‘R4’ (average).

CC:

•

For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.

•

For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with Recovery Raging of ‘R4’ (average) or ‘R5’ (below average).

•

For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent.

•

For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R6’ (poor).

RD:

•

Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.

•

Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

	•		failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation;

	•		the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; or

	•		the distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.

Issuers will be rated ‘D’ upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of ‘C’ to ‘B’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in

A-3

accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the ‘B’ or CCC-C categories.

Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.

CORPORATE AND TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

MOODY’S

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

S&P

Commercial Paper: An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from ‘A’ for the highest-quality obligations to ‘D’ for the lowest. These categories are as follows:

A-1: This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated ‘A-1’.

A-3: Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B: Issues rated ‘B’ are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.

C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

D: Debt rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when interest payments of principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes such payments will be made during such grace period.

Dual Ratings — S&P assigns ‘dual’ rating to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.

The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With short-term demand debt, not rating symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

A-4

Other Considerations — The ratings of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch represent their respective opinions of the quality of the municipal securities they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and ratings may have different yields and municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

TAX-EXEMPT NOTE RATINGS

MOODY’S

Short-Term Debt Ratings: There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels ‘MIG 1’ through ‘MIG 3’. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

MIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Dept instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

S&P

Short-Term Issue: S&P U.S. municipal note ratings reflect the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:

•

Amortization schedule — the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as note; and

•

Source of payment — the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

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APPENDIX B

EQUIVALENT YIELDS:

The table below shows the effect of the tax status of municipal obligations on the yield received by their holders under the regular federal income tax laws that apply to 2010. It gives the approximate yield a taxable security must earn at various income brackets to produce after-tax yields.

TAX-FREE YIELDS 2010 TAX TABLE


											Marginal
Single Return						Joint Return					Income			TAX-EXEMPT YIELD
	(Taxable Income)					(Taxable Income)					Tax Rate			3%			4%			5%			6%			7%			8%			9%

	$	0	—		8,350	$	0	—		16,700		10.0	%		3.33	%		4.44	%		5.56	%		6.67	%		7.78	%		8.89	%		10.00	%
	$	8,351	—		33,950	$	16,701	—		67,900		15.0	%		3.53	%		4.71	%		5.88	%		7.06	%		8.24	%		9.41	%		10.59	%
	$	33,951	—		82,250	$	67,901	—		137,050		25.0	%		4.00	%		5.33	%		6.67	%		8.00	%		9.33	%		10.67	%		12.00	%
	$	82,251	—		171,550	$	137,051	—		208,850		28.0	%		4.17	%		5.56	%		6.94	%		8.33	%		9.72	%		11.11	%		12.50	%
	$	171,551	—		372,950	$	208,851	—		372,950		33.0	%		4.48	%		5.97	%		7.46	%		8.96	%		10.45	%		11.94	%		13.43	%
	$	372,951	—	OVER		$	372,951	—	OVER			35.0	%		4.62	%		6.15	%		7.69	%		9.23	%		10.77	%		12.31	%		13.85	%

It is assumed that an investor filing a single return is not a “head of household,” a “married individual filing a separate return,” or a “surviving spouse.” The table does not take into account the effects of reductions in the deductibility of itemized deductions or the phase out of personal exemptions for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes in excess of specified amounts. Further, the table does not attempt to show any alternative minimum tax consequences, which will depend on each shareholder’s particular tax situation and may vary according to what portion, it any, of the Fund’s exempt-interest dividends is attributable to interest on certain private activity bonds for any particular taxable year. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve any specific tax-exempt yield or that all of its income distributions will be tax-exempt. Distributions attributable to any taxable income or capital gains realized by the Fund will not be tax-exempt.

The information set forth above is as of the date of this SAI. Subsequent tax law changes could result in prospective or retroactive changes in the tax brackets, tax rates, and tax-equivalent yields set forth above.

This table is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply or guarantee any particular yield from the Fund. While it is expected that a substantial portion of the interest income distributed to the fund’s shareholders will be exempt from federal income taxes, portions of such distributions from time to time may be subject to federal income taxes.

B-1

APPENDIX C

PROXY VOTING SUMMARY OF THE ADVISER, THE JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS AND THE SUBADVISER

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
&
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

General

John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (collectively the “Adviser”) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and serves as the investment adviser to a number of management investment companies (including series thereof) (each a “Fund”) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Adviser generally retains one or more subadvisers to manage the assets of the Funds, including voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities. From time to time, however, the Adviser may elect to manage directly the assets of a Fund, including voting proxies with respect to its portfolio securities, or a Fund’s board of trustees or directors may otherwise delegate to the Adviser authority to vote such proxies. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires that a registered investment adviser adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it votes proxies with respect to a client’s securities in the best interest of the client. Pursuant thereto, the Adviser has adopted and implemented these proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Procedures”).

Fiduciary Duty

The Adviser has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies on behalf of a Fund in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

Voting of Proxies

The Adviser will vote proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities when authorized to do so by the Fund and subject to the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any further direction or delegation of authority by the Fund’s board of trustees or directors. The decision on how to vote a proxy will be made by the person(s) to whom the Adviser has from time to time delegated such responsibility (the “Designated Person”). The Designated Person may include the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) and a Proxy Voting Committee, as described below.

When voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities, the following standards will apply:

•		The Designated Person will vote based on what it believes to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and in accordance with the Fund’s investment guidelines.

•		Each voting decision will be made independently. The Designated Person may enlist the services of reputable professionals (who may include persons employed by or otherwise associated with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons) or independent proxy evaluation services such as Institutional Shareholder Services, to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry out the actual voting process. However, the ultimate decision as to how to vote a proxy will remain the responsibility of the Designated Person.

•		The Adviser believes that a good management team of a company will generally act in the best interests of the company. Therefore, the Designated Person will take into consideration as a key factor in voting proxies with respect to securities of a company that are held by the Fund the quality of the company’s management and, in general, will vote as recommended by such management except in situations where the Designated Person believes such recommended vote is not in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

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•		As a general principle, voting with respect to the same portfolio securities held by more than one Fund should be consistent among those Funds having substantially the same mandates.

•		The Adviser will provide the Fund, from time to time in accordance with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any applicable laws and regulations, a record of the Adviser’s voting of proxies with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities.

Material Conflicts of Interest

In carrying out its proxy voting responsibilities, the Adviser will monitor and resolve potential material conflicts (“Material Conflicts”) between the interests of (a) a Fund and (b) the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons. Affiliates of the Adviser include Manulife Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries. Material Conflicts may arise, for example, if a proxy vote relates to matters involving any of these companies or other issuers in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates has a substantial equity or other interest.

If the Adviser or a Designated Person becomes aware that a proxy voting issue may present a potential Material Conflict, the issue will be referred to the Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department. If the Legal and Compliance Department determines that a potential Material Conflict does exist, a Proxy Voting Committee will be appointed to consider and resolve the issue. The Proxy Voting Committee may make any determination that it considers reasonable and may, if it chooses, request the advice of an independent, third-party proxy service on how to vote the proxy.

Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds

The Adviser or the Designated Person will vote proxies with respect to the shares of a Fund that are held by another Fund that operates as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in the manner provided in the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Fund of Funds (including such policies and procedures relating to material conflicts of interest) or as otherwise directed by the board of trustees or directors of the Fund of Funds.

Proxy Voting Committee(s)

The Adviser will from time to time, and on such temporary or longer term basis as it deems appropriate, establish one or more Proxy Voting Committees. A Proxy Voting Committee shall include the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and may include legal counsel. The terms of reference and the procedures under which a Proxy Voting Committee will operate will be reviewed from time to time by the Legal and Compliance Department. Records of the deliberations and proxy voting recommendations of a Proxy Voting Committee will be maintained in accordance with applicable law, if any, and these Procedures.

Records Retention

The Adviser will retain (or arrange for the retention by a third party of) such records relating to proxy voting pursuant to these Procedures as may be required from time to time by applicable law and regulations, including the following:

	i.		these Procedures and all amendments hereto;

	ii.		all proxy statements received regarding Fund portfolio securities;

	iii.		records of all votes cast on behalf of a Fund;

	iv.		records of all Fund requests for proxy voting information;

	v.		any documents prepared by the Designated Person or a Proxy Voting Committee that were material to or memorialized the basis for a voting decision;

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vi.

all records relating to communications with the Funds regarding Conflicts; and

vii.

all minutes of meetings of Proxy Voting Committees.

Reporting to Fund Boards

The Adviser will provide the board of trustees or directors of a Fund (the “Board”) with a copy of these Procedures, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Procedures have been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, the Adviser will provide the Board with notice and a copy of any amendments or revisions to the Procedures and will report quarterly to the Board all material changes to the Procedures.

The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of material changes to the Procedures during the period covered by the report.

If the Adviser votes any proxies in a manner inconsistent with either these Procedures or a Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, the Adviser will provide the CCO with a report detailing such exceptions.

In the case of proxies voted by a subadviser to a Fund (a “Subadviser”) pursuant to the Fund’s proxy voting procedures, the Adviser will request the Subadviser to certify to the Adviser that the Subadviser has voted the Fund’s proxies as required by the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and that such proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with these Procedures and to provide the Adviser will a report detailing any instances where the Subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser will then report to the Board on a quarterly basis regarding the Subadviser certification and report to the Board any instance where the Subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures.

Adopted: December 2007

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JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

POLICY:

General

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of each registered investment company in the John Hancock family of funds listed on Schedule A (collectively, the “Trust”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), adopts these proxy voting policies and procedures.

Each fund of the Trust or any other registered investment company (or series thereof) (each, a “fund”) is required to disclose its proxy voting policies and procedures in its registration statement and, pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, file annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission and make available to shareholders its actual proxy voting record. In this regard, the Trust Policy is set forth below.

Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities

It is the policy of the Trust to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund to the fund’s investment adviser (“adviser”) or, if the fund’s adviser has delegated portfolio management responsibilities to one or more investment subadviser(s), to the fund’s subadviser(s), subject to the Board’s continued oversight. The subadviser for each fund shall vote all proxies relating to securities held by each fund and in that connection, and subject to any further policies and procedures contained herein, shall use proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by each subadviser in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

Except as noted below under Material Conflicts of Interest, the Trust Policy with respect to a fund shall incorporate that adopted by the fund’s subadviser with respect to voting proxies held by its clients (the “Subadviser Policy”). Each Subadviser Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Trust Policy. Each subadviser to a fund is directed to comply with these policies and procedures in voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund, subject to oversight by the fund’s adviser and by the Board. Each adviser to a fund retains the responsibility, and is directed, to oversee each subadviser’s compliance with these policies and procedures, and to adopt and implement such additional policies and procedures as it deems necessary or appropriate to discharge its oversight responsibility. Additionally, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) shall conduct such monitoring and supervisory activities as the CCO or the Board deems necessary or appropriate in order to appropriately discharge the CCO’s role in overseeing the subadvisers’ compliance with these policies and procedures.

The delegation by the Board of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.

Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds

A. Where the Fund of Funds is not the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund

With respect to voting proxies relating to the shares of an underlying fund (an “Underlying Fund”) held by a fund of the Trust operating as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act where the Underlying Fund has shareholders other than the Fund of Funds which are not other Fund of Funds, the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such Underlying Fund shares.

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B. Where the Fund of Funds is the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund

In the event that one or more Funds of Funds are the sole shareholders of an Underlying Fund, the adviser to the Fund of Funds or the Trust will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund as set forth below unless the Board elects to have the Fund of Funds seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Funds of Funds in which case the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders.

1. Where Both the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are Voting on Substantially Identical Proposals

In the event that the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are voting on substantially identical proposals (the “Substantially Identical Proposal”), then the adviser or the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the Substantially Identical Proposal.

2. Where the Underlying Fund is Voting on a Proposal that is Not Being Voted on By the Fund of Funds

a. Where there is No Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal

In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is no material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the adviser will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund pursuant to its Proxy Voting Procedures.

b. Where there is a Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal

In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the Fund of Funds will seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the proposal and will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders. A material conflict is generally defined as a proposal involving a matter in which the adviser or one of its affiliates has a material economic interest.

Material Conflicts of Interest

If: (1) a subadviser to a fund becomes aware that a vote presents a material conflict between the interests of: (a) shareholders of the fund; and (b) the fund’s adviser, subadviser, principal underwriter, or any of their affiliated persons, and (2) the subadviser does not propose to vote on the particular issue in the manner prescribed by its Subadviser Policy or the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Subadviser Policy are otherwise triggered, then the subadviser will follow the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Subadviser Policy when voting such proxies.

If a Subadviser Policy provides that in the case of a material conflict of interest between fund shareholders and another party, the subadviser will ask the Board to provide voting instructions, the subadviser shall vote the proxies, in its discretion, as recommended by an independent third party, in the manner prescribed by its Subadviser Policy or abstain from voting the proxies.

Securities Lending Program

Certain of the funds participate in a securities lending program with the Trust through an agent lender. When a fund’s securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. Where a subadviser determines, however, that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially

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important to the client’s account, the subadviser should request that the agent recall the security prior to the record date to allow the subadviser to vote the securities.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”)

The Trust shall include in its SAI a summary of the Trust Policy and of the Subadviser Policy included therein. (In lieu of including a summary of these policies and procedures, the Trust may include each full Trust Policy and Subadviser Policy in the SAI.)

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports

The Trust shall disclose in its annual and semi-annual shareholder reports that a description of the Trust Policy, including the Subadviser Policy, and the Trust’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 months ended June 30 are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website, and without charge, upon request, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number. The Trust will send these documents within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

Filing of Proxy Voting Record on Form N-PX

The Trust will annually file its complete proxy voting record with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Form N-PX shall be filed for the twelve months ended June 30 no later than August 31 of that year.

PROCEDURES:

Review of Subadvisers’ Proxy Voting

The Trust has delegated proxy voting authority with respect to fund portfolio securities in accordance with the Trust Policy, as set forth above.

Consistent with this delegation, each subadviser is responsible for the following:

	1)		Implementing written policies and procedures, in compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act, reasonably designed to ensure that the subadviser votes portfolio securities in the best interest of shareholders of the Trust.

	2)		Providing the adviser with a copy and description of the Subadviser Policy prior to being approved by the Board as a subadviser, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Subadviser Policy has been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, providing the adviser with notice of any amendment or revision to that Subadviser Policy or with a description thereof. The adviser is required to report all material changes to a Subadviser Policy quarterly to the Board. The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of the material changes to each Subadviser Policy during the period covered by the report.

	3)		Providing the adviser with a quarterly certification indicating that the subadviser did vote proxies of the funds and that the proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with the Subadviser Policy. If the subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Subadviser Policy, the subadviser will provide the adviser with a report detailing the exceptions.

Adviser Responsibilities

The Trust has retained a proxy voting service to coordinate, collect, and maintain all proxy-related information, and to prepare and file the Trust’s reports on Form N-PX with the SEC.

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Schedule A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS:	Adopted:	Amended:
John Hancock Trust	September 28, 2007	March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds II	September 28, 2007	March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds III	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bond Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Capital Series	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Current Interest	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Equity Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust II	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust III	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Series Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Strategic Series	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock World Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bank & Thrift Opportunity Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Income Securities Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investors Trust	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund	September 11, 2007	June 10, 2008

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MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (“MFC Global (U.S.)”)
Proxy Voting Policy

Introduction

MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC GIM (US) or the “Firm”) is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment adviser. As a registered investment adviser, MFC GIM (US) must comply with the requirements of the SEC Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and the rules there under (Advisers Act). In accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act, MFC GIM (US) has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act and designated a Chief Compliance Officer to administer its compliance policies and procedures.

The Firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (Manulife Financial) and is affiliated with several SEC-registered and non-SEC registered investment advisers which are also subsidiaries or affiliates of Manulife Financial. Collectively, MFC GIM (US) and its advisory affiliates represent the diversified investment management division of Manulife Financial and they provide comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors, retirement and investment funds, and individuals, in key markets around the world. Certain of these companies within Manulife Financial offer a number of products and services designed specifically for various categories of investors in a number of different countries and regions. These products or services are only offered to such investors in those countries and regions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Firm manages assets for a variety of institutional and other types of clients, including public and private pension funds, financial institutions and investment trusts. It also manages registered and private collective funds, including UCITS, US and Canadian open- and closed-end mutual funds. In particular, the Firm is affiliated with, and serves as investment manager or a sub-adviser to, a number of mutual fund families that are sponsored by affiliates (the “Funds”). This investment expertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as real estate, as well as asset allocation strategies.

The portfolios under management have a mix of investment objectives and may invest in, or create exposure to, a wide variety of financial instruments in different asset classes, including listed and unlisted equity and fixed income securities, commodities, fixed income instruments, derivatives and structured products, futures and options.

Proxy Voting Policy

This Proxy Voting Policy (the “Policy”) covers the proxy activities and related disclosure obligations of MFC GIM (US) and applies to all MFC GIM (US) clients for whom MFC GIM (US) has been delegated the authority to vote proxies.

The Proxy Voting Policy is designed to meet the needs of MFC GIM (US)’s clients with strict adherence to the highest principles of fiduciary conduct, including minimizing any potential material conflict of interest between the Firm and the Firm’s clients. It is also designed to ensure compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the various regulators to which MFC GIM (US) is subject. It sets forth the general corporate governance principles of MFC GIM (US) in ensuring that clear guidelines are established for voting proxies and communicating such with our clients, regulators and other relevant parties.

The structure and purpose of the Proxy Voting Policy will continually evolved in alignment with the risk profile of MFC GIM (US), internal standards and requirements, roles and responsibilities of the MFC GIM (US) Board and other relevant oversight committees, and regulatory requirements. The Proxy Voting Policy is not intended to cover every possible situation that may arise in the course of conducting the Firm’s business. It is meant to be subject to change and to interpretation from time to time where facts and circumstances dictate, or where new regulations or guidance become effective, or where the plain language of the Policy appears unclear in light of the particular circumstances.

All Firm employees are asked to consult with the Chief Compliance Officer of MFC GIM (US) (“Chief Compliance Officer”) if they have any questions concerning this Policy, questions about the standards set forth, or questions

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about proxy voting in general. Where, however, such obligations are inconsistent with this Policy, then the matter should immediately be referred to the Chief Compliance Officer and the MFC GIM (US) General Counsel (“General Counsel”) who have authority to interpret this Policy or to take appropriate action in accordance with the principles set forth in this Policy in a manner in any situations not specifically covered by guidelines or procedures.

The Proxy Policy has the following seven sections:

	1.		General Principles

	2.		Standards

	3.		Administration

	4.		Potential Conflicts

	5.		Recordkeeping

	6.		Policy Administration

General Principles

Scope

MFC GIM (US) provides investment advisory services to both ERISA and non-ERISA institutional clients, the Funds, and other non-institutional clients (collectively, the “Clients”). MFC GIM (US) understands that proxy voting is an integral aspect of security ownership. Accordingly, in cases where MFC GIM (US) has been delegated authority to vote proxies, that function must be conducted with the same degree of prudence and loyalty accorded any fiduciary or other obligation of an investment manager.

This Policy permits Clients to:

	1.		delegate to MFC GIM (US) the responsibility and authority to vote proxies on their behalf according to MFC GIM (US)’s proxy voting polices and guidelines;

	2.		delegate to MFC GIM (US) the responsibility and authority to vote proxies on their behalf according to the particular Client’s own proxy voting policies and guidelines, subject to acceptance by the Firm, as mutually agreed upon between the Firm and the Client; or

	3.		elect to vote proxies themselves. In instances where Clients elect to vote their own proxies, MFC GIM (US) shall not be responsible for voting proxies on behalf of such Clients.

Policy Statement

MFC GIM (US) seeks to vote proxies in the best economic interests of all of its Clients for whom the Firm has proxy voting authority and responsibilities. In the ordinary course, this entails voting proxies in a way which MFC GIM (US) believes will maximize the monetary value of each portfolio’s holdings. MFC GIM (US) takes the view that this will benefit the Clients.

The Firm believes that its Proxy Voting Policy is reasonably designed to ensure that proxy matters are conducted in the best interest of Clients, and in accordance with MFC GIM (US)’s fiduciary duties, applicable rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA clients set out in the U.S. Department of Labor interpretations.

To fulfill the Firm’s fiduciary duty to Clients with respect to proxy voting, MFC GIM (US) has contracted with the RiskMetrics Group (RiskMetrics), an independent third party service provider, to vote Clients’ proxies according to RiskMetrics’ proxy voting recommendations. Proxies will be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable domestic or global RiskMetrics Proxy Voting Manual, as in effect from time to time. Except in instances where a MFC GIM (US) client retains voting authority, MFC GIM (US) will instruct custodians of client accounts to forward all proxy statements and materials received in respect of client accounts to RiskMetrics.

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MFC GIM (US) provides copies of the current domestic and global RiskMetrics proxy voting guidelines upon request. It reserves the right to amend any of RiskMetrics’s guidelines in the future. If any such changes are made an amended Proxy Voting Policy will be made available for clients.

Therefore, the Proxy Voting Policy encompasses the following principles:

	•		The proxy voting function of MFC GIM (US) Operations (“Proxy Operations”) shall cause the implementation of procedures, practices, and controls (collectively, the “Procedures”) sufficient to promote high quality fiduciary administration of the Proxy Voting Policy, including the proper oversight of any service providers hired by the Firm to assist it in the proxy voting process. Such Procedures shall be reasonably designed to meet all applicable regulatory requirements and highest fiduciary standards.

	•		The Chief Compliance Officer makes an annual risk-based assessment of MFC GIM (US)’s compliance program, which may include proxy voting activities, and may conduct a review of the Procedures to determine that such Procedures are satisfactory to promote high-quality fiduciary administration. The Chief Compliance Officer makes periodic reports to MFC GIM (US) Senior Investment Policy Committee (SIPC) that include a summary of instances where MFC GIM (US) has (i) voted proxies in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of RiskMetrics, and (ii) voted proxies in circumstances in which a material conflict of interest may exist as set forth in the Conflicts section.

	•		Except as otherwise required by law, MFC GIM (US) has a general policy of not disclosing to any issuer or third party how MFC GIM (US) or its voting delegate voted a Client’s proxy.

	•		MFC GIM (US) endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting proxies of non-U.S. issuers. MFC GIM (US) votes in all markets where it is feasible to do so.

Standards

•

MFC GIM (US) has engaged RiskMetrics as its proxy voting agent to:

	1.		research and make voting recommendations or, for matters for which MFC GIM (US) has so delegated, to make the voting determinations;

	2.		ensure that proxies are voted and submitted in a timely manner;

	3.		handle other administrative functions of proxy voting;

	4.		maintain records of proxy statements received in connection with proxy votes and provide copies of such proxy statements promptly upon request;

	5.		maintain records of votes cast; and

	6.		provide recommendations with respect to proxy voting matters in general.

•

Oversight of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of the SIPC. The SIPC reviews and approves amendments to the Proxy Voting Policy and delegates authority to vote in accordance with this Policy to RiskMetrics.

MFC GIM (US) does not engage in the practice of “empty voting” ( a term embracing a variety of factual circumstances that result in a partial or total separation of the right to vote at a shareholders meeting from beneficial ownership of the shares on the meeting date). MFC GIM (US) prohibits investment managers from creating large hedge positions solely to gain the vote while avoiding economic exposure to the market. MFC GIM (US) will not knowingly vote borrowed shares (for example, shares borrowed for short sales and hedging transactions) that the lender of the shares is also voting.

MFC GIM (US) reviews various criteria to determine whether the costs associated with voting the proxy exceed the expected benefit to Clients and may conduct a cost-benefit analysis in determining whether it is in the best economic

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interest to vote client proxies. Given the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis, the Firm may refrain from voting a proxy on behalf of the Clients’ accounts.

In addition, MFC GIM (US) may refrain from voting a proxy due to logistical considerations that may have a detrimental effect on the Firm’s ability to vote such a proxy. These issues may include, but are not limited to:

	1.		proxy statements and ballots being written in a foreign language;

	2.		underlying securities have been lent out pursuant to a Client’s securities lending program;

	3.		untimely notice of a shareholder meeting;

	4.		requirements to vote proxies in person;

	5.		restrictions on foreigner’s ability to exercise votes;

	6.		restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting (“share blocking and re-registration”);

	7.		requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate the voting instructions (such proxies are voted on a best-efforts basis); or

	8.		inability of a Client’s custodian to forward and process proxies electronically.

Administration

Proxy Operations is responsible for administering the proxy voting process, including:

	1.		Implementing and updating the applicable domestic and global RiskMetrics proxy voting guidelines;

	2.		Coordinating and overseeing the proxy voting process performed by RiskMetrics; and

	3.		Providing periodic reports to the SIPC, the Chief Compliance Officer and Clients as requested.

As noted, all proxies received on behalf of Clients are forwarded to RiskMetrics. Any MFC GIM (US) employee that receives a client’s proxy statement should therefore notify Proxy Operations and arrange for immediate delivery to RiskMetrics.

From time to time, proxy votes will be solicited which (i) involve special circumstances and require additional research and discussion or (ii) are not directly addressed by RiskMetrics. These proxies are identified through a number of methods, including but not limited to notification from RiskMetrics, concerns of clients, and questions from consultants.

In such instances of special circumstances or issues not directly addressed by RiskMetrics, a sub-committee of SIPC (“Proxy Committee”) will be consulted for a determination of the proxy vote. The Proxy Committee comprises of no fewer than three members of SIPC. Although the Firm anticipates that such instances will be rare, The Proxy Committee’s first determination is whether there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of a Client and those of MFC GIM (US). If the Proxy Committee determines that there is a material conflict, the process detailed under “Potential Conflicts” below is followed. If there is no material conflict, the Proxy Committee examines each of the issuer’s proposals in detail in seeking to determine what vote would be in the best interests of Clients. At this point, the Proxy Committee will make a voting decision based on maximizing the monetary value of all portfolios’ holdings.

There may be circumstances under which a portfolio manager or other MFC GIM (US) investment professional (“MFC GIM (US) Investment Professional”) believes that it is in the best interest of a Client or Clients to vote proxies in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of RiskMetrics. In such an event, as feasible, the MFC GIM (US) Investment Professional shall inform Proxy Operations of his or her decision to vote such proxy in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of RiskMetrics. Proxy Operations will report to the Chief Compliance Officer no less than quarterly any instance where a MFC GIM (US) Investment Professional has decided to vote a proxy on behalf of a Client in that manner.

In addition to voting proxies, MFC GIM (US):

describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients in the relevant or required disclosure document,

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			including Part II of its Form ADV;

	2.		provides clients with a copy of the Proxy Voting Policy, upon request;

	3.		discloses to its clients how they may obtain information on how MFC GIM (US) voted the client’s proxies;

	4.		generally applies its Proxy Voting Policy consistently and keeps records of votes for each Client;

	5.		documents the reason(s) for voting for all non-routine items; and

	6.		keeps records of such proxy voting through RiskMetrics available for inspection by the Client or governmental agencies.

Conflict of Interest

In instances where MFC GIM (US) has the responsibility and authority to vote proxies on behalf of its clients for which MFC GIM (US) serves as the investment adviser, there may be instances where a material conflict of interest exists. For example, MFC GIM (US) or its affiliates may provide services to a company whose management is soliciting proxies, or to another entity which is a proponent of a particular proxy proposal. Another example could arise when MFC GIM (US) or its affiliates has business or other relationships with participants involved in proxy contests, such as a candidate for a corporate directorship. More specifically, if MFC GIM (US) is aware that one of the following conditions exists with respect to a proxy, MFC GIM (US) shall consider such event a potential material conflict of interest:

	1.		MFC GIM (US) has a business relationship or potential relationship with the issuer;

	2.		MFC GIM (US) has a business relationship with the proponent of the proxy proposal; or

	3.		MFC GIM (US) members, employees or consultants have a personal or other business relationship with the participants in the proxy contest, such as corporate directors or director candidates.

As a fiduciary to its clients, MFC GIM (US) takes these potential conflicts very seriously. While MFC GIM (US)’s only goal in addressing any such potential conflict is to ensure that proxy votes are cast in the clients’ best interests and are not affected by MFC GIM (US)’s potential conflict, there are a number of courses MFC GIM (US) may take. The final decision as to which course to follow shall be made by the Proxy Committee.

In the event of a potential material conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee will (i) vote such proxy according to the specific recommendation of RiskMetrics; (ii) abstain; or (iii) request that the Client votes such proxy. All such instances shall be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer at least quarterly.

As RiskMetrics will vote proxies in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines, MFC GIM (US) believes that this process is reasonably designed to address conflicts of interest that may arise between MFC GIM (US) and a Client as to how proxies are voted. When the matter falls clearly within one of the proposals enumerated in RiskMetrics proxy voting policy, casting a vote which simply follows RiskMetrics’ pre-determined policy would eliminate MFC GIM (US)’s discretion on the particular issue and hence avoid the conflict.

In other cases, where the matter presents a potential material conflict and is not clearly within one of the RiskMetrics’ enumerated recommendations, or is of such a nature that the Proxy Committee believes more active involvement is necessary, the Proxy Committee shall make a decision as to the voting of the proxy. The basis for the voting decision, including the basis for the determination that the decision is in the best interests of Clients, shall be formalized in writing as a part of the minutes of the Proxy Committee. Which action is appropriate in any given scenario would be the decision of the Proxy Committee in carrying out its duty to ensure that the proxies are voted in the Clients’, and not MFC GIM (US)’s, best interests.

C-13

JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits.


99.(a)		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 (the “Declaration of Trust”). — previously filed as exhibit 99.(a) to post-effective amendment no. 26 filed on December 28, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000530.

99.(a).1		Amendment, effective July 1, 2005, to the Declaration of Trust regarding change of address of principal place of business. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).1 to post-effective amendment no. 27 filed on December 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000990.

99.(a).2		Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to Declaration of Trust regarding amendment and restatement of Section 8.4. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(b)		Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005 (the “By-Laws”). — previously filed as exhibit 99.(b) to post-effective amendment no. 26 filed on December 28, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000530.

99.(b).1		Amendment dated March 11, 2008 to the By-Laws. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).1 to post-effective amendment no. 31 filed on December 18, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-008325.

99.(b).2		Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to the By-Laws. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).2 to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(c)		Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. See Exhibit 99.(a) and 99.(b).

99.(d)		Investment Advisory Contracts. Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser”) and the Registrant on behalf of John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(d) to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(d).1		Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 31, 2005 between the Registrant, the Adviser and MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (formerly, Sovereign Asset Management LLC) on behalf of John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).1 to post-effective amendment no. 27 filed on December 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000990.

99.(e)		Underwriting Contracts. Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 1991 between Registrant and John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. (renamed John Hancock Funds, LLC). — previously filed as exhibit 6 to post-effective amendment no. 10 filed on December 25, 1995, accession number 0000950156-95-000881.

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99.(e).1		Form of Soliciting Dealer Agreement between John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. (renamed John Hancock Funds, LLC) and Selected Dealers. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).1 to post-effective amendment no. 25 filed on December 30, 2004, accession number 0001010521-04-000321.

99.(f)		Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. Not Applicable

99.(g)		Custodian Agreement. Master Custodian Agreement dated September 10, 2008 between John Hancock Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(g) to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(h)		Other Material Contracts. Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2007 (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”) between John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by the Adviser and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h) to post-effective amendment no. 29 filed on October 12, 2007, accession number 0000928816-07-001465.

99.(h).1		Amendment, dated June 1, 2008 to the Transfer Agency Agreement. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).1 to post-effective amendment no. 31 filed on December 18, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-008325.

99.(h).2		Service Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between the Adviser, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Mutual Funds. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).2 to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(h).3		Expense Limitation Agreement dated June 8, 2010 between the Registrant and the Adviser. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).3 to post-effective amendment no. 33 filed on July 16, 2010 accession number 0000950123-10-065988.

99.(h).4		Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement dated March 10, 2009 by and among the Registrant, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, the Adviser and the Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).4 to post-effective amendment no. 33 filed on July 16, 2010 accession number 0000950123-10-065988.

99.(i)		Legal Opinion — previously filed as exhibit 99.(i) to post-effective amendment no. 31 filed on December 18, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-008325.

99.(j)		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP — FILED HEREWITH.

99.(k)		Not applicable.

99.(l)		Initial Capital Agreements. None.

99.(m).		Rule 12b-1 Plan. Class A and Class B Distribution Plans dated July 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC (the “Distributor”) on behalf of John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(m) to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

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99.(m).1		Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plans dated April 1, 1999 between the Registrant and the Distributor. on behalf of John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund and John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).2 to post-effective amendment no. 17 filed on December 27, 1999, accession number 0001010521-99-000399.

99.(n)		Rule 18f-3 Plan. Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 dated May 7, 2009 for John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by the Adviser. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(n) to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

99.(o)		Reserved.

99.(p)		Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2008 as revised January 1, 2010 for the Adviser, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, the Distributor, John Hancock Distributors, LLC, and each open-end and closed-end fund advised by a John Hancock adviser. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(p) to post-effective amendment no. 33 filed on July 16, 2010 accession number 0000950123-10-065988.

99.(p).1		Code of Ethics dated December 6, 2005 for the Independent Directors/Trustees of the John Hancock funds. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).1 to post-effective amendment no. 27 filed on December 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000990.

99.(p).2		Code of Ethics dated March 1, 2008 for MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC revised as of January 1, 2010. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).2 to post-effective amendment no. 33 filed on July 16, 2010 accession number 0000950123-10-065988.

99.(q)		Power of Attorney dated May 7, 2009. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(q) to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 24, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-045800.

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with Registrant.

Item 30. Indemnification.

Indemnification provisions relating to Registrant’s Trustees, officers, employees and agents are set forth in Article IV of Registrant’s Declaration of Trust included as Exhibit (a) herein.

Under Section 12 of the Distribution Agreement, the John Hancock Funds, LLC has agreed to indemnify Registrant and its Trustees, officers and controlling persons against claims arising out of certain acts and statements of John Hancock Funds.

Section 9(a) of the By-Laws of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) (“the Insurance Company”) provides, in effect, that the Insurance Company will, subject to limitations of law, indemnify each present and former director, officer and employee of the Insurance Company who serves as a Trustee or officer of Registrant at the direction or request of the Insurance Company against litigation expenses and liabilities incurred while acting as such, except that such indemnification does not cover any expense or liability incurred or imposed in connection with any matter as to which such person shall be finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Insurance Company. In addition, no such person will be indemnified by the Insurance Company in respect of any final adjudication unless such settlement shall have been approved as in the

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best interests of the Insurance Company either by vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting composed of directors who have no interest in the outcome of such vote, or by vote of the policyholders. The Insurance Company may pay expenses incurred in defending an action or claim in advance of its final disposition, but only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if he should be determined not to be entitled to indemnification.

Article V of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Adviser provides as follows:

“Section 5.06. Indemnity and Exculpation.”

(a) No Indemnitee, and no shareholder, director, officer, member, manager, partner, agent, representative, employee or Affiliate of an Indemnitee, shall have any liability to the Company or to any Member for any loss suffered by the Company (or the Corporation) which arises out of any action or inaction by such Indemnitee with respect to the Company (or the Corporation) if such Indemnitee so acted or omitted to act (i) in the good faith (A) belief that such course of conduct was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company (or the Corporation), or (B) reliance on the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) such course of conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(b) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a Director or Officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Company (or previously at the request of the Corporation), as a director, officer, manager or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom.

(c) As a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving him for which indemnity hereunder will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company is so notified, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.

(d) In the event that the Company does not assume the defense of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company receives notice under this Section 5.06, the Company shall pay in advance of the final disposition of such matter any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Section 5.06, which undertaking shall be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnitee to make such repayment; and further provided that no such advancement of expenses shall be made if it is determined that (i) the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

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(e) The Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee to the extent such Indemnitee is reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, and in the event the Company makes any indemnification payments to an Indemnitee and such Indemnitee is subsequently reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such indemnification payments to the Company to the extent of such insurance reimbursement.

(f) All determinations hereunder as to the entitlement of an Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made in each instance by (a) a majority vote of the Directors consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question (“Disinterested Directors”), whether or not a quorum, (b) a majority vote of a quorum of the outstanding Common Shares, which quorum shall consist of Members who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question, (c) independent legal counsel (who may, to the extent permitted by law, be regular legal counsel to the Company), or (d) a court of competent jurisdiction.

(g) The indemnification rights provided in this Section 5.06 (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of Members or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Indemnitees. The Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the Company or other persons serving the Company and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Section 5.06. Any indemnification to be provided hereunder may be provided although the person to be indemnified is no longer a Director or Officer.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers.

For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and Directors of the Adviser, reference is made to Form ADV (801-8124) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Principal Underwriters.

(a) John Hancock Funds, LLC acts as principal underwriter for the Registrant and also serves as principal underwriter or distributor of shares for John Hancock Bond Trust, John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund, John Hancock Capital Series, John Hancock Current Interest, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III, John Hancock Investment Trust, John Hancock Investment Trust II, John Hancock Investment Trust III, John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust, John Hancock Series Trust, John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund and John Hancock Strategic Series.

(b) The following table presents certain information with respect to each director and officer of John Hancock Funds, LLC. The principal address of each director or officer is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.


		POSITIONS AND
	POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH	OFFICES WITH
NAME	UNDERWRITER	REGISTRANT

Hugh McHaffie	Director, Chairman	Trustee

Keith F. Hartstein	Director, President and Chief Executive Officer	President and Chief Executive Officer

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		POSITIONS AND
	POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH	OFFICES WITH
NAME	UNDERWRITER	REGISTRANT

John G. Vrysen	Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer	Trustee

Michael Mahoney	Chief Compliance Officer	None

Peter Levitt	Treasurer	None

John J. Danello	Senior Vice President	Vice President, Law

Thomas M. Kinzler	Secretary, Chief Legal Counsel	Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Declan O’Beirne	Chief Financial Officer	None

Andrew G. Arnott	Executive Vice President	Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeff Duckworth	Senior Vice President	None

Carey Hoch	Senior Vice President	None

Jeffrey H. Long	Vice President, Finance	None

Howard Cronson	Vice President and Assistant Treasurer	None

Krishna Ramdial	Vice President, Treasury	None

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrant’s custodian State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and its transfer agent, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody of the Adviser, 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210 and the Subadviser, 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7603. Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment advisers are in the custody and possession of the Adviser and the Subadviser.

Item 34. Management Services.

Not Applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings.

Not Applicable.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 27^th day of September, 2010.


	JOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
	By:	/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
		Keith F. Hartstein
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Keith F. Hartstein Keith F. Hartstein	President and Chief Executive Officer	September 27, 2010

/s/ Charles A. Rizzo Charles A. Rizzo	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)	September 27, 2010

/s/ James F. Carlin* James F. Carlin	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ William H. Cunningham* William H. Cunningham	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Deborah C. Jackson* Deborah C. Jackson	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Charles L. Ladner* Charles L. Ladner	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Stanley Martin* Stanley Martin	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Hugh McHaffie Hugh McHaffie	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ John A. Moore* John A. Moore	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Patti McGill Peterson* Patti McGill Peterson	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Steven R. Pruchansky* Steven R. Pruchansky	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ Gregory A. Russo* Gregory A. Russo	Trustee	September 27, 2010

/s/ John G. Vrysen* John G. Vrysen	Trustee	September 27, 2010



*By:	Power of Attorney

By:	/s/ Nicholas J. Kolokithas	September 27, 2010
	Nicholas J. Kolokithas
	Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney Filed with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2009




2		Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund

6		Investment strategies

6		Risks of investing

8		Who’s who

10		Financial highlights

12		Choosing a share class

13		How sales charges are calculated

13		Sales charge reductions and waivers

15		Opening an account

16		Buying shares

17		Selling shares

19		Transaction policies

21		Dividends and account policies

22		Additional investor services

		For more information See back cover




2		New York Tax-Free Income Fund

6		Investment strategies

6		Risks of investing

8		Who’s who

10		Financial highlights

12		Choosing a share class

13		How sales charges are calculated

13		Sales charge reductions and waivers

15		Opening an account

16		Buying shares

17		Selling shares

19		Transaction policies

21		Dividends and account policies

22		Additional investor services

		For more information See back cover


	Page
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUNDS		1
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS		1
SPECIAL RISKS		12
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS:		21
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER		23
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS		23
THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT		24
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES		36
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS		43
DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS		46
SALES COMPENSATION		49
NET ASSET VALUE		53
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES		55
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES		58
SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS		62
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS		62
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES		64
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS’ SHARES		64
SAMPLE CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE		66
TAX STATUS		66
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION		72
TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES		75
CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO		76
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		76
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS		76
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS		77
CODES OF ETHICS		77

Appendix A — Description of Bond Ratings		A-1
Appendix B— Description of Equivalent Yields		B-1
Appendix C — Proxy Voting Summary of the Adviser, the John Hancock Funds and the Subadviser		C-1

•		Redemptions of Class A shares by retirement plans that invested through the PruSolutions^sm program.

•		Redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception date of a retirement plan at John Hancock.

•		Redemptions made to effect mandatory or life expectancy distributions under the Code. (Waiver based on required, minimum distribution calculations for John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.)

•		Returns of excess contributions made to these plans.

•		Rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b) (7) account assets required by John Hancock funds as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b) (7) accounts.

•		Redemptions made to effect certain distributions, as outlined in the chart on the following page, to participants or beneficiaries from employer sponsored retirement plans under sections 401(a) (such as Money Purchase Pension Plans and Profit-Sharing/401(k) Plans), 403(b), 457 and 408 (SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs of the Code.

	1)		Receive a file with the proxy voting information directly from each subadviser on a quarterly basis.

	2)		Select a sample of proxy votes from the files submitted by the subadvisers and compare them against the proxy voting service files for accuracy of the votes.

	3)		Deliver instructions to shareholders on how to access proxy voting information via the Trust’s semi-annual and annual shareholder reports.

	1)		multiple report export options;

	2)		report customization by fund-account, portfolio manager, security, etc.; and

	3)		account details available for vote auditing.

	•		the MFC GIM (US) Proxy Voting Policy and any additional procedures created pursuant to that policy;

	•		a copy of each proxy statement MFC GIM (US) receives regarding securities held by Clients (this requirement will be satisfied by RiskMetrics who has agreed in writing to do so or by obtaining a copy of the proxy statement from the EDGAR database);

	•		a record of each vote cast by MFC GIM (US) (this requirement will be satisfied by RiskMetrics who has agreed in writing to do so) on behalf of Clients;

	•		a copy of any document created by MFC GIM (US) that was material in making its voting decision or that memorializes the basis for such decision; and

	•		a copy of each written request from a client, and response to the client, for information on how MFC GIM (US) clients’ proxies were voted.