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Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Document Typedei_DocumentType485BPOS
Document Period End Datedei_DocumentPeriodEndDateMay 31, 2011
Registrant Namedei_EntityRegistrantNameJOHN HANCOCK TAX-EXEMPT SERIES FUND
Central Index Keydei_EntityCentralIndexKey0000811921
Amendment Flagdei_AmendmentFlagfalse
Document Creation Datedei_DocumentCreationDateSep. 26, 2011
Document Effective Datedei_DocumentEffectiveDateOct. 01, 2011
Prospectus Daterr_ProspectusDateOct. 01, 2011
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Risk/Return [Heading]rr_RiskReturnHeadingJOHN HANCOCK MASSACHUSETTS TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
Objective [Heading]rr_ObjectiveHeadingInvestment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlockTo seek a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital, that is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income taxes.
Fees and Expensesjhtesf811921_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract 
Expense [Heading]rr_ExpenseHeadingFees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlockThis 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 $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 59 to 62 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”
Expense Breakpoint Discountsjhtesf811921_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract 
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsYou 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 $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 59 to 62 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 100,000
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesCaptionShareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesCaptionAnnual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Terminationrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTerminationSeptember 30, 2012
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example [Heading]rr_ExpenseExampleHeadingExpense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlockThis 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 $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Expense Example by Year [Heading]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeadingExpenses ($)
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaptionSold
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaptionKept
Portfolio turnoverjhtesf811921_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract 
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeadingPortfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlockThe 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 17% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Raterr_PortfolioTurnoverRate17.00%
Strategy [Heading]rr_StrategyHeadingPrincipal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

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 & 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 indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; 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.

Risk [Heading]rr_RiskHeadingPrincipal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

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. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

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. 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. The following is a list of the derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:
 
Futures contracts 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.
 
Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.
 
Options 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 options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known 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.

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.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitutionAn 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.
Risk Lose Money [Text]rr_RiskLoseMoneyThe fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Past Performancejhtesf811921_FundPastPerformanceAbstract 
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeadingPast performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

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. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. 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.

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

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

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. 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.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturnsThe 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.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFutureHowever, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlockPerformance 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.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddresswww.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance
Performance Availability Phone [Text]rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone1-800-225-5291
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoadsCalendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndexAverage annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShownAfter-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Raterr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRateThey 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.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferredrr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferredYour 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.
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
Bar Chart [Heading]rr_BarChartHeadingCalendar year total returns — Class A (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund's total return for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was 4.52%.

Best quarter: Q3 '09, 7.39%

Worst quarter: Q4 '10, -5.51%

Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Captionrr_AverageAnnualReturnCaptionAverage annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-10
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class A
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJHMAX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass A
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther4.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther1.00%[1]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass A
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets0.30%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.20%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.00%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.15%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets0.85%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass A
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01533
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03740
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear05964
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear101,607
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass A
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01533
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03740
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05964
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear101,607
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
2001rr_AnnualReturn20014.35%
2002rr_AnnualReturn20029.56%
2003rr_AnnualReturn20036.18%
2004rr_AnnualReturn20044.28%
2005rr_AnnualReturn20053.43%
2006rr_AnnualReturn20063.99%
2007rr_AnnualReturn20072.57%
2008rr_AnnualReturn2008(4.58%)
2009rr_AnnualReturn200913.87%
2010rr_AnnualReturn20100.22%
Year to Date Return, Labelrr_YearToDateReturnLabelYear-to-date total return The fund's total return for the six months ended
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Daterr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDateJun. 30, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Returnrr_BarChartYearToDateReturn4.52%
Highest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabelBest quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDateSep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn7.39%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabelWorst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDateDec. 31, 2010
Lowest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn(5.51%)
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class B
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJHMBX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass B
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther5.00%
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass B
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.20%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.70%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.10%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets1.60%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass B
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01663
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03826
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,114
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear101,814
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass B
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01163
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03526
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05914
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear101,814
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class C
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJMACX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass C
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther1.00%
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass C
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.20%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.70%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.10%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets1.60%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass C
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01263
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03526
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear05914
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,000
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass C
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01163
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03526
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05914
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear102,000
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(4.26%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.09%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.80%
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class B
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass B
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(5.29%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear051.97%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.70%
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class C
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass C
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(1.44%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.32%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.55%
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelAfter tax on distributions
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(4.27%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.07%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.79%
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelAfter tax on distributions, with sale
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(1.39%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.37%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.88%
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelBarclays Capital Municipal Bond Index
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear012.38%
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear054.09%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear104.83%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Risk/Return [Heading]rr_RiskReturnHeadingJOHN HANCOCK NEW YORK TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
Objective [Heading]rr_ObjectiveHeadingInvestment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlockTo 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 Expensesjhtesf811921_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract 
Expense [Heading]rr_ExpenseHeadingFees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlockThis 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 $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 59 to 62 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”
Expense Breakpoint Discountsjhtesf811921_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract 
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsYou 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 $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on pages 13 to 15 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 59 to 62 of the fund’s statement of additional information under “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares.”
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount100,000
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesCaptionShareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesCaptionAnnual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent“Other expenses” have been restated to reflect current transfer agency and service fees.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Terminationrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTerminationSeptember 30, 2012
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example [Heading]rr_ExpenseExampleHeadingExpense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlockThis 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 $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated (Kept column) and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods (Sold column). The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Expense Example by Year [Heading]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeadingExpenses ($)
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaptionSold
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaptionKept
Portfolio turnoverjhtesf811921_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract 
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeadingPortfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlockThe 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 9% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Raterr_PortfolioTurnoverRate9.00%
Strategy [Heading]rr_StrategyHeadingPrincipal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

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 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.

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 indexes; options on futures, debt securities and debt indexes; 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 toward the fund’s 80% policy.

Risk [Heading]rr_RiskHeadingPrincipal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

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. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

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. 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. The following is a list of the derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:
 
Futures contracts 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.
 
Inverse floating rate securities Liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, issuer risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving inverse floating rate securities.
 
Options 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 options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known 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.

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.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitutionAn 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.
Risk Lose Money [Text]rr_RiskLoseMoneyThe 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.
Past Performancejhtesf811921_FundPastPerformanceAbstract 
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeadingPast performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

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. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. 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.

Calendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other share classes.

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

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes. 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.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturnsThe 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.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFutureHowever, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlockPerformance 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.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddresswww.jhfunds.com/FundPerformance
Performance Availability Phone [Text]rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone1-800-225-5291
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoadsCalendar year total returns These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndexAverage annual total returns Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShownAfter-tax returns These are shown only for Class A shares and would be different for other classes.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Raterr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRateThey 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.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferredrr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferredYour 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.
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
Bar Chart [Heading]rr_BarChartHeadingCalendar year total returns — Class A (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was 3.82%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’09, 7.21%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -4.41%

Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Captionrr_AverageAnnualReturnCaptionAverage annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-10
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class A
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJHNYX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass A
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther4.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther1.00%[1]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass A
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets0.30%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.27%[3]
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.07%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.15%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets0.92%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass A
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01540
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03761
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,000
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear101,684
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass A
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01540
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03761
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear051,000
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear101,684
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
2001rr_AnnualReturn20013.80%
2002rr_AnnualReturn20028.60%
2003rr_AnnualReturn20034.39%
2004rr_AnnualReturn20044.43%
2005rr_AnnualReturn20053.16%
2006rr_AnnualReturn20064.68%
2007rr_AnnualReturn20071.40%
2008rr_AnnualReturn2008(4.01%)
2009rr_AnnualReturn200913.18%
2010rr_AnnualReturn20101.89%
Year to Date Return, Labelrr_YearToDateReturnLabelYear-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the six months ended
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Daterr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDateJun. 30, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Returnrr_BarChartYearToDateReturn3.82%
Highest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabelBest quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDateSep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn7.21%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabelWorst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDateDec. 31, 2010
Lowest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn(4.41%)
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class B
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJNTRX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass B
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther5.00%
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass B
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.27%[3]
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.77%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.10%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets1.67%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass B
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01670
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03847
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,150
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear101,891
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass B
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01170
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03547
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05950
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear101,891
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Class C
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Trading Symboldei_TradingSymbolJNYCX
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Column [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass C
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase pricerr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is lessrr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther1.00%
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Column [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass C
Management feerr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.27%[3]
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.77%
Contractual expense reimbursementrr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets(0.10%)[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursementsrr_NetExpensesOverAssets1.67%
Expense examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass C
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01270
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03547
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear05950
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,076
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text]rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass C
1 Yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01170
3 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03547
5 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05950
10 Yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,076
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(2.71%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.34%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.59%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class B
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass B
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(3.63%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.23%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.49%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | before tax | Class C
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass C
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore tax
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear010.29%
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.58%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.35%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelAfter tax on distributions
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(2.71%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.34%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.59%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Columnrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelAfter tax on distributions, with sale
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01(0.33%)
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.61%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.70%
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund | Prospectus Class A, B and C Shares | Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelBarclays Capital Municipal Bond Index
1 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear012.38%
5 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear054.09%
10 Yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear104.83%
[1](on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)
[2]Reflects the distributor's contractual agreement to limit the "Distribution and service (12b-1) fees" to 0.15%, 0.90% and 0.90% of the average daily net assets of Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, until at least September 30, 2012, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time.
[3]"Other expenses" have been restated to reflect current transfer agency and service fees.