N-CSR

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-4630

John Hancock Investment Trust III
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

601 Congress Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4497
Date of fiscal year end:	October 31
Date of reporting period:	October 31, 2017

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

John Hancock

Greater China Opportunities Fund

Annual report 10/31/17

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

International equity markets have exhibited impressive strength in 2017, making a remarkable comeback following a multi-year period of underperformance relative to U.S. stocks. Most developed- and emerging-market indexes have outperformed this year, and some have recently climbed to all-time highs. Results have been almost equally impressive in the U.S. market, as evidenced by the highs set by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 Index, and the NASDAQ Composite Index.

Corporate earnings and consumer spending have been rising across most of the globe, leading many economists to upgrade their forecasts of GDP growth across developed and emerging markets alike. This synchronized global growth has been a positive catalyst for investor sentiment and the appetite for risk, providing plenty of lift for equities.

While a majority of the asset managers in our network believe international stocks have the potential to extend their recent gains, investors have reason to be vigilant. Stocks rarely climb for extended periods without a few setbacks along the way, and valuations can at times become overextended when rising equity prices get ahead of earnings growth.

Maintaining a globally diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and alternatives, alongside a disciplined investment program, is one approach that has stood the test of time. As always, your best resource to prepare for any market condition is your financial advisor, who can help ensure your portfolio is sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable disappointments that can interrupt any market rise.

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investments, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and to thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.  

Sincerely,

Andrew G. Arnott
President and Chief Executive Officer
John Hancock Investments

This commentary reflects the CEO's views, which are subject to change at any time. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. It is not possible to invest directly into an index. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website at jhinvestments.com.

John Hancock
Greater China Opportunities Fund

Table of contents

2	Your fund at a glance
4	Discussion of fund performance
8	A look at performance
10	Your expenses
12	Fund's investments
15	Financial statements
18	Financial highlights
23	Notes to financial statements
30	Auditor's report
31	Tax information
32	Continuation of investment advisory and subadvisory agreements
38	Trustees and Officers
42	More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       1

Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 10/31/17 (%)

The MSCI Golden Dragon Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends) is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the China region. The MSCI Golden Dragon Index captures the equity market performance of large and mid-cap China securities and non-domestic China securities listed in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       2

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS

China region stocks surged

Improving global economic conditions, a recovery in commodity prices, and strengthening corporate earnings led to a robust rally for stocks in the Greater China region.

The fund posted a strong absolute return

The fund's return outpaced that of its benchmark, the MSCI Golden Dragon Index.

Stock selection in certain sectors added value

Stock selection in the information technology and utilities sectors added the most value.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 10/31/17 (%)

A note about risks

Foreign investing has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. Investments in the Greater China region are subject to special risks, such as less developed or less efficient trading markets, restrictions on monetary repatriation and possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of assets. The fund may invest in initial public offerings, which are frequently volatile. The stock prices of midsize and small companies can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large companies. The fund is non-diversified and may invest its assets in a small number of issuers. Performance could suffer significantly from adverse events affecting these issuers. A fund concentrated in one sector or that holds a limited number of securities may fluctuate more than a fund that invests in a wider variety of sectors or securities. Derivatives transactions, such as hedging and other strategic transactions, may increase a fund's volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       3

Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager Kai-Kong Chay, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited

Kai-Kong Chay, CFA
Portfolio Manager
John Hancock Asset Management

Can you provide an overview of the stock market environment in the Greater China region during the 12 months ended October 31, 2017?

It was a very strong period of performance for stocks in the Greater China region. After declining in late 2016 amid trade protectionism concerns following the U.S. presidential election, China region stocks rebounded substantially in 2017, as corporate earnings enjoyed an upward revision trajectory and global economic conditions improved. The market also benefited from the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect following its debut in late 2016.

For the period, the fund's benchmark, the MSCI Golden Dragon Index, returned 32.83%. Within the index, Chinese stocks posted the strongest returns, as higher commodity prices and a strengthening real estate sector helped the Chinese economy reverse its declining growth rate. Stocks in Taiwan also performed well, led by the information technology sector, where component makers and semiconductor manufacturers benefited from a new iPhone production cycle. In Hong Kong, gaming stocks led the overall advance, benefiting from a recovery in Macau, Asia's largest gaming destination.

How did the fund perform during the period?

The fund produced a robust return and outperformed its benchmark. The fund is managed using a bottom-up stock selection process that emphasizes stocks with favorable growth prospects, recognized catalysts for change, and attractive valuations. This focus on individual stock selection was a key component of the fund's outperformance for the period.

Geographically, stock selection added value across all three markets represented in the portfolio. On a sector basis, stock selection added the most value in the information technology and utilities sectors.

Can you give some examples of fund performance contributors?

In the information technology sector, the leading contributors were Chinese social media company Weibo Corp. and Taiwanese electronic components manufacturer Yageo Corp., both of which more

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       4

"... China region stocks rebounded substantially in 2017, as corporate earnings enjoyed an upward revision trajectory and global economic conditions improved."

than doubled their share prices during the reporting period. Weibo, which has been dubbed the Twitter of China, reported consistently strong active user growth, which made the company's social media platform more attractive to advertisers. As a result, Weibo's revenue and earnings growth accelerated during the period.

Yageo makes passive components for low- to mid-priced smartphones. The newest version of the iPhone required more high-end components, and a shift by other component producers to these higher-end products led to a production shortage among lower-end components. Yageo was able to increase production to meet the demand in this segment and gained some pricing power in the process, enabling the company to exceed sales and earnings expectations.

The top contributor among the fund's holdings in the utilities sector was natural gas distributor China Gas Holdings, Ltd., which was added to the portfolio during the last half of the period at an attractive valuation level. As part of government-subsidized pollution control efforts in Beijing, coal-burning plants are being replaced by natural gas for residential heating, and China Gas was a major beneficiary of this trend.

What portfolio holdings detracted from performance compared with the benchmark?

Given the selective nature of the portfolio and the strong performance of stocks across the Greater China region, the fund missed out on some of the best performers in the index. For example, the fund did not own small-cap property developer China Evergrande Group, as the team saw better growth visibility in the information technology sector. Its stock soared by nearly 500% during the period as the company benefited from surging growth in its property markets. An underweight position in electronic components maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., a major iPhone supplier, also detracted from performance versus the index.

COUNTRY COMPOSITION AS OF 10/31/17 (%)

China	51.1
Taiwan	23.9
Hong Kong	22.1
United States	1.1
United Kingdom	1.0
Other assets and liabilities, net	0.8
TOTAL	100.0
As a percentage of net assets.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       5

"Another portfolio theme is pollution control, which is a major priority in China's largest cities, as the government seeks to balance constructive economic policies with an improved quality of life."

Among the fund's overweight positions, the most significant detractors were Taiwanese electronic components maker Tung Thih Electronic Co., Ltd. and offshore drilling services provider China Oilfield Services, Ltd. Tung Thih makes components used in vehicles, and the stock declined as the company faced increasing competitive challenges from mainland China manufacturers, leading us to eliminate the stock from the portfolio. Despite volatile but generally higher oil and gas prices, China Oilfield Services struggled with a slow recovery in offshore drilling activity.

How was the portfolio positioned at the end of the reporting period?

Technology remains a major theme in the portfolio, with information technology representing the fund's largest sector weighting and most significant sector overweight compared with the index. We expect to see continued strength in demand for electronic components, not only from current products such as wireless devices, but also from potential new developments in automation, such as self-driving vehicles and artificial intelligence. Further growth in social media platforms should be beneficial for the fund's information technology holdings as well.

Another portfolio theme is pollution control, which is a major priority in China's largest cities, as the government seeks to balance constructive economic policies with an improved quality of life. We

TOP 10 HOLDINGS AS OF 10/31/17 (%)

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.	9.8
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR	8.5
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.	7.0
China Construction Bank Corp., H Shares	3.6
Ping An Insurance Group Company of China, Ltd., H Shares	3.5
AIA Group, Ltd.	3.5
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd., H Shares	3.4
Baidu, Inc., ADR	2.6
Weibo Corp., ADR	2.1
CNOOC, Ltd.	1.7
TOTAL	45.7
As a percentage of net assets.
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       6

continue to favor natural gas distributors, which should benefit from the shift away from coal as an energy source.

Although the fund continues to have a sizable position in financial stocks, it is still an underweight compared with the index. We remain selective in the sector as some Chinese financial companies are struggling with asset quality and deleveraging conditions that are affecting their profitability.

Overall, we maintain a positive outlook for stocks in the Greater China region. Earnings continue to be healthy, but momentum may moderate in 2018 after robust growth in 2017. Despite the year-to-date market rally, valuations remain compelling, and the market still offers decent upside potential in our view. Although there are potential external risks, including heightened tensions with North Korea and a renewal of protectionist trade rhetoric, we believe the Chinese economy remains on a solid path to long-term structural growth, and equity markets in the region are poised to benefit.

MANAGED BY

	Kai-Kong Chay, CFA On the fund since 2011 Investing since 1997
	Ronald Chan, CFA On the fund since 2011 Investing since 1995

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Kai-Kong Chay, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       7

A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  OCTOBER 31, 2017 

Average annual total returns (%) with maximum sales charge				Cumulative total returns (%) with maximum sales charge
	1-year	5-year	10-year		5-year	10-year
Class A	28.00	10.78	0.10		66.85	1.01
Class B	28.68	10.76	-0.17		66.66	-1.65
Class C	32.66	11.03	-0.17		68.73	-1.65
Class I1	35.09	12.34	0.83		78.92	8.61
Class NAV1	35.17	12.39	1.15		79.35	12.07
Index†	32.83	11.23	3.01		70.26	34.47

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 5%, and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The Class B shares' CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2%, 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares held for less than one year are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I and Class NAV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class I	Class NAV
Gross (%)	1.86	2.56	2.56	1.55	1.44
Net (%)	1.72	2.42	2.42	1.34	1.30

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

† Index is the MSCI Golden Dragon Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       8

This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the MSCI Golden Dragon Index.

	Start date	With maximum sales charge ($)	Without sales charge ($)	Index ($)
Class B2	10-31-07	9,835	9,835	13,447
Class C2	10-31-07	9,835	9,835	13,447
Class I1	10-31-07	10,861	10,861	13,447
Class NAV1	10-31-07	11,207	11,207	13,447

The MSCI Golden Dragon Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends) is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the China region. The MSCI Golden Dragon Index captures the equity market performance of large and mid-cap China securities and non-domestic China securities listed in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1	For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
2	The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       9

Your expenses

These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Understanding fund expenses

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:

• Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.

• Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.

We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.

Actual expenses/actual returns

The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund's actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund's actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on May 1, 2017, with the same investment held until October 31, 2017.

Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at October 31, 2017, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the "expenses paid" for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund's ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund's hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class's actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the fund's actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on May 1, 2017, with the same investment held until October 31, 2017. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectuses for details regarding transaction costs.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       10

SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

		Account value on 5-1-2017	Ending value on 10-31-2017	Expenses paid during period ended 10-31-20171	Annualized expense ratio
Class A	Actual expenses/actual returns	$1,000.00	$1,274.20	$9.11	1.59%
	Hypothetical example for comparison purposes	1,000.00	1,017.20	8.08	1.59%
Class B	Actual expenses/actual returns	1,000.00	1,268.40	13.72	2.40%
	Hypothetical example for comparison purposes	1,000.00	1,013.10	12.18	2.40%
Class C	Actual expenses/actual returns	1,000.00	1,268.90	13.78	2.41%
	Hypothetical example for comparison purposes	1,000.00	1,013.10	12.23	2.41%
Class I	Actual expenses/actual returns	1,000.00	1,275.20	7.68	1.34%
	Hypothetical example for comparison purposes	1,000.00	1,018.50	6.82	1.34%
Class NAV	Actual expenses/actual returns	1,000.00	1,275.80	7.40	1.29%
	Hypothetical example for comparison purposes	1,000.00	1,018.70	6.56	1.29%

1 Expenses are equal to the fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       11

Fund’s investments

AS OF 10-31-17

	Shares	Value
Common stocks 99.2%		$63,370,447
(Cost $39,982,447)
China 51.1%		32,679,909
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR (A)	29,486	5,451,667
Baidu, Inc., ADR (A)	6,872	1,676,356
China Animal Healthcare, Ltd. (A)(B)	1,590,000	2,038
China Construction Bank Corp., H Shares	2,539,000	2,269,144
China Life Insurance Company, Ltd., H Shares	142,000	470,773
China Literature, Ltd. (A)(B)(C)	110	776
China Molybdenum Company, Ltd., H Shares	816,000	531,154
China National Building Material Company, Ltd., H Shares	716,000	604,324
China Oilfield Services, Ltd., H Shares	904,000	802,509
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., H Shares	810,000	594,798
China Vanke Company, Ltd., H Shares	105,600	375,908
CNOOC, Ltd.	805,000	1,099,142
ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.	93,000	682,463
Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd.	196,000	607,771
Grand Baoxin Auto Group, Ltd. (A)	1,087,000	585,264
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd., H Shares	2,764,500	2,199,617
Minth Group, Ltd.	148,000	799,563
Momo, Inc., ADR (A)	15,282	465,643
New China Life Insurance Company, Ltd., H Shares	84,900	531,506
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., ADR	4,506	375,079
Ping An Insurance Group Company of China, Ltd., H Shares	251,000	2,205,774
RYB Education, Inc., ADR (A)	11,950	304,247
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Company, Ltd., H Shares	166,500	831,727
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.	139,200	6,256,357
Weibo Corp., ADR (A)	14,585	1,351,300
Xinyi Solar Holdings, Ltd.	1,476,000	511,181
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (A)	15,683	632,809
ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Company, Ltd., H Shares (A)(C)	45,700	461,019
Hong Kong 22.1%		14,127,328
AIA Group, Ltd.	292,600	2,204,881
ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd.	17,600	256,792
Beijing Enterprises Water Group, Ltd. (A)	856,000	719,319
BOC Hong Kong Holdings, Ltd.	128,500	612,323
China Everbright Greentech, Ltd. (A)(C)	757,000	631,395
China Gas Holdings, Ltd.	318,000	966,759
China Resources Cement Holdings, Ltd.	474,000	320,377
China Resources Land, Ltd.	232,666	694,389
China Unicom Hong Kong, Ltd. (A)	420,000	595,921
CK Asset Holdings, Ltd.	113,080	930,630
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.	49,580	629,751
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.	96,000	654,660

12 JOHN HANCOCK Greater China Opportunities Fund | ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Shares	Value
Hong Kong (continued)
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.	34,300	$955,744
Kingboard Laminates Holdings, Ltd.	378,000	635,236
Link REIT	68,500	575,901
Modern Dental Group, Ltd.	800,000	224,618
Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.	836,000	977,602
Swire Properties, Ltd.	213,200	720,450
The Wharf Holdings, Ltd.	35,000	318,785
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, Ltd.	131,000	501,795
Taiwan 23.9%		15,245,958
Airtac International Group	44,000	713,235
Chailease Holding Company, Ltd.	231,000	595,875
China Development Financial Holding Corp.	1,412,000	432,883
China General Plastics Corp.	366,000	343,108
FIT Hon Teng, Ltd. (A)(C)	1,335,000	910,764
Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.	100,650	716,402
Gourmet Master Company, Ltd.	43,000	493,596
Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, Ltd.	167,000	620,730
Land Mark Optoelectronics Corp.	38,000	485,061
Largan Precision Company, Ltd.	4,000	758,239
MediaTek, Inc.	85,000	967,259
Parade Technologies, Ltd.	46,000	750,102
St. Shine Optical Company, Ltd.	21,000	513,623
Taiwan Paiho, Ltd.	75,000	309,857
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.	554,089	4,479,424
Taiwan Union Technology Corp.	206,000	528,937
TCI Company, Ltd.	83,291	566,665
Yageo Corp.	133,467	1,060,198
United Kingdom 1.0%		625,239
HSBC Holdings PLC	64,000	625,239
United States 1.1%		692,013
Bizlink Holding, Inc.	69,000	692,013

Total investments (Cost $39,982,447) 99.2%	$63,370,447
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.8%	496,067
Total net assets 100.0%	$63,866,514

The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
ADR	American Depositary Receipt
(A)	Non-income producing security.
(B)	Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs.
(C)	These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Greater China Opportunities Fund 13

At 10-31-17, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $39,982,447. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $23,388,000, of which $25,005,081 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $1,617,081 related to gross unrealized depreciation.

14 JOHN HANCOCK Greater China Opportunities Fund | ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 10-31-17

Assets
Investments, at value (Cost $39,982,447)	$63,370,447
Cash	65,662
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $294,016)	294,053
Receivable for investments sold	266,361
Receivable for fund shares sold	15,766
Dividends and interest receivable	25,058
Receivable due from advisor	416
Other receivables and prepaid expenses	34,584
Total assets	64,072,347
Liabilities
Payable for fund shares repurchased	125,077
Payable to affiliates
Accounting and legal services fees	995
Transfer agent fees	4,512
Distribution and service fees	11,252
Trustees' fees	135
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	63,862
Total liabilities	205,833
Net assets	$63,866,514
Net assets consist of
Paid-in capital	$37,614,656
Undistributed net investment income	266,151
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions	2,597,671
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies	23,388,036
Net assets	$63,866,514
Net asset value per share
Based on net asset values and shares outstanding - The fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value
Class A ($35,687,895 ÷ 1,404,104 shares)1	$25.42
Class B ($707,045 ÷ 29,046 shares)1	$24.34
Class C ($6,036,107 ÷ 247,917 shares)1	$24.35
Class I ($4,658,380 ÷ 183,731 shares)	$25.35
Class NAV ($16,777,087 ÷ 652,277 shares)	$25.72
Maximum offering price per share
Class A (net assets value per share ÷ 95%)2	$26.76

1	Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2	On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       15

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  For the year ended 10-31-17

Investment income
Dividends	$1,268,415
Interest	53
Less foreign taxes withheld	(109,361	)
Total investment income	1,159,107
Expenses
Investment management fees	551,697
Distribution and service fees	131,686
Accounting and legal services fees	12,849
Transfer agent fees	47,946
Trustees' fees	1,302
State registration fees	78,058
Printing and postage	46,418
Professional fees	44,464
Custodian fees	49,179
Other	11,470
Total expenses	975,069
Less expense reductions	(85,226	)
Net expenses	889,843
Net investment income	269,264
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
Net realized gain (loss) on
Investments and foreign currency transactions	4,741,316
	4,741,316
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
Investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies	12,171,592
	12,171,592
Net realized and unrealized gain	16,912,908
Increase in net assets from operations	$17,182,172

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       16

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

	Year ended 10-31-17		Year ended 10-31-16
Increase (decrease) in net assets
From operations
Net investment income	$269,264		$170,206
Net realized gain (loss)	4,741,316		(1,602,061	)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	12,171,592		4,069,990
Increase in net assets resulting from operations	17,182,172		2,638,135
Distributions to shareholders
From net investment income
Class A	(344,884	)	(158,526	)
Class B	(4,744	)	—
Class C	(33,201	)	—
Class I	(50,555	)	(18,307	)
Class NAV	(192,632	)	(105,179	)
From net realized gain
Class A	—		(2,347,386	)
Class B	—		(120,411	)
Class C	—		(507,485	)
Class I	—		(147,172	)
Class NAV	—		(808,551	)
Total distributions	(626,016	)	(4,213,017	)
From fund share transactions	(5,516,082	)	(2,477,647	)
Total increase (decrease)	11,040,074		(4,052,529	)
Net assets
Beginning of year	52,826,440		56,878,969
End of year	$63,866,514		$52,826,440
Undistributed net investment income	$266,151		$278,367

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       17

Financial highlights

Class A Shares Period ended		10-31-17		10-31-16		10-31-15		10-31-14		10-31-13
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period		$19.11		$19.46		$22.73		$21.70		$17.99
Net investment income1		0.09		0.06		0.09		0.24		0.12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		6.45		1.05		(1.18	)	1.13		3.65
Total from investment operations		6.54		1.11		(1.09	)	1.37		3.77
Less distributions
From net investment income		(0.23	)	(0.09	)	(0.27	)	(0.16	)	(0.06	)
From net realized gain		—		(1.37	)	(1.91	)	(0.18	)	—
Total distributions		(0.23	)	(1.46	)	(2.18	)	(0.34	)	(0.06	)
Net asset value, end of period		$25.42		$19.11		$19.46		$22.73		$21.70
Total return (%)2,3		34.74		6.38		(4.82	)	6.39		21.01
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)		$36		$30		$34		$47		$46
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
	Expenses before reductions	1.78		1.86		1.75		1.71		1.74
	Expenses including reductions	1.63		1.72		1.71		1.71		1.74
	Net investment income	0.44		0.32		0.44		1.10		0.60
Portfolio turnover (%)		63		55		82		123		93

1	Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2	Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
3	Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       18

Class B Shares Period ended		10-31-17		10-31-16		10-31-15		10-31-14		10-31-13
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period		$18.32		$18.75		$21.93		$20.97		$17.49
Net investment income (loss)1		(0.09	)	(0.10	)	(0.12	)	0.01		(0.08	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		6.21		1.04		(1.07	)	1.13		3.56
Total from investment operations		6.12		0.94		(1.19	)	1.14		3.48
Less distributions
From net investment income		(0.10	)	—		(0.08	)	—		—
From net realized gain		—		(1.37	)	(1.91	)	(0.18	)	—
Total distributions		(0.10	)	(1.37	)	(1.99	)	(0.18	)	—
Net asset value, end of period		$24.34		$18.32		$18.75		$21.93		$20.97
Total return (%)2,3		33.68		5.61		(5.51	)	5.44		19.90
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)		$1		$1		$2		$5		$8
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
	Expenses before reductions	2.56		2.56		2.62		2.67		2.67
	Expenses including reductions	2.41		2.42		2.47		2.59		2.67
	Net investment income (loss)	(0.48	)	(0.56	)	(0.58	)	0.06		(0.39	)
Portfolio turnover (%)		63		55		82		123		93

1	Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2	Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
3	Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       19

Class C Shares Period ended		10-31-17		10-31-16		10-31-15		10-31-14		10-31-13
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period		$18.33		$18.75		$21.92		$20.96		$17.48
Net investment income (loss)1		(0.08	)	(0.08	)	(0.06	)	0.05		(0.05	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		6.20		1.03		(1.13	)	1.09		3.53
Total from investment operations		6.12		0.95		(1.19	)	1.14		3.48
Less distributions
From net investment income		(0.10	)	—		(0.07	)	—		—
From net realized gain		—		(1.37	)	(1.91	)	(0.18	)	—
Total distributions		(0.10	)	(1.37	)	(1.98	)	(0.18	)	—
Net asset value, end of period		$24.35		$18.33		$18.75		$21.92		$20.96
Total return (%)2,3		33.66		5.66		(5.51	)	5.45		19.91
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)		$6		$6		$7		$9		$11
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
	Expenses before reductions	2.56		2.56		2.51		2.58		2.62
	Expenses including reductions	2.41		2.42		2.47		2.57		2.62
	Net investment income (loss)	(0.38	)	(0.44	)	(0.30	)	0.24		(0.27	)
Portfolio turnover (%)		63		55		82		123		93

1	Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2	Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
3	Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       20

Class I Shares Period ended		10-31-17		10-31-16		10-31-15		10-31-14		10-31-13
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period		$19.08		$19.44		$22.72		$21.71		$17.96
Net investment income1		0.21		0.13		0.23		0.45		0.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		6.35		1.05		(1.25	)	1.01		3.69
Total from investment operations		6.56		1.18		(1.02	)	1.46		3.86
Less distributions
From net investment income		(0.29	)	(0.17	)	(0.35	)	(0.27	)	(0.11	)
From net realized gain		—		(1.37	)	(1.91	)	(0.18	)	—
Total distributions		(0.29	)	(1.54	)	(2.26	)	(0.45	)	(0.11	)
Net asset value, end of period		$25.35		$19.08		$19.44		$22.72		$21.71
Total return (%)2		35.09		6.74		(4.43	)	6.79		21.57
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)		$5		$3		$2		$4		$1
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
	Expenses before reductions	1.55		1.55		1.57		2.14		2.79
	Expenses including reductions	1.34		1.34		1.34		1.34		1.31
	Net investment income	1.02		0.70		1.06		2.02		0.85
Portfolio turnover (%)		63		55		82		123		93

1	Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2	Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       21

Class NAV Shares Period ended		10-31-17		10-31-16		10-31-15		10-31-14		10-31-13
Per share operating performance
Net asset value, beginning of period		$19.35		$19.70		$22.98		$21.95		$18.18
Net investment income1		0.17		0.15		0.20		0.62		0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		6.50		1.05		(1.21	)	0.87		3.67
Total from investment operations		6.67		1.20		(1.01	)	1.49		3.90
Less distributions
From net investment income		(0.30	)	(0.18	)	(0.36	)	(0.28	)	(0.13	)
From net realized gain		—		(1.37	)	(1.91	)	(0.18	)	—
Total distributions		(0.30	)	(1.55	)	(2.27	)	(0.46	)	(0.13	)
Net asset value, end of period		$25.72		$19.35		$19.70		$22.98		$21.95
Total return (%)2		35.17		6.81		(4.36	)	6.88		21.53
Ratios and supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)		$17		$12		$12		$12		$1
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
	Expenses before reductions	1.44		1.44		1.32		1.25		1.28
	Expenses including reductions	1.29		1.29		1.27		1.24		1.27
	Net investment income	0.83		0.81		0.95		2.80		1.12
Portfolio turnover (%)		63		55		82		123		93

1	Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2	Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       22

Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Investment Trust III (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently offered are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class B shares are closed to new investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds and certain 529 plans. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed. Trading in foreign securities may be completed before the scheduled daily close of trading on the NYSE. Significant events at the issuer or market level may affect the values of securities between the time when the valuation of the securities is generally determined and the close of the NYSE. If a significant event occurs, these securities may be fair valued, as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee, following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The fund uses fair value adjustment factors provided by an independent pricing vendor to value certain foreign securities in order to adjust for events that may occur between the close of foreign exchanges or markets and the close of the NYSE.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       23

securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of October 31, 2017, by major security category or type:

		Total value at 10-31-17	Level 1 quoted price	Level 2 significant observable inputs	Level 3 significant unobservable inputs
Investments in securities:
Assets
Common stocks
	China	$32,679,909	$10,257,101	$22,419,994	$2,814
	Hong Kong	14,127,328	—	14,127,328	—
	Taiwan	15,245,958	—	15,245,958	—
	United Kingdom	625,239	—	625,239	—
	United States	692,013	—	692,013	—
Total investments in securities		$63,370,447	$10,257,101	$53,110,532	$2,814

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Foreign currency translation. Assets, including investments and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments.

Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. These risks are heightened for investments in emerging markets. Funds investing in a single country or in a limited geographic region tend to be riskier than funds that invest more broadly. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors. Foreign investments are also subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.

Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

Line of credit. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       24

security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Effective June 29, 2017, the fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. Prior to June 29, 2017, the fund had a similar agreement that enabled it to participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit. For the year ended October 31, 2017, the fund had no borrowings under either line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended October 31, 2017 were $2,874.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of October 31, 2017, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

The tax character of distributions for the years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

	October 31, 2017	October 31, 2016
Ordinary income	$626,016	$282,302
Long-term capital gains	—	3,930,715
Total	$626,016	$4,213,017

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of October 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $508,688 of undistributed ordinary income and $2,355,134 of undistributed long-term capital gains.

Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       25

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to investments in passive foreign investment companies.

Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Funds, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent, on an annual basis, to the sum of: (a) 1.00% of the first $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.95% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets and (c) 0.90% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $2 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended October 31, 2017, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average net assets. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the funds and with approval of the Board of Trustees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee for the fund, or if necessary, make payment to the fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the fund's expenses exceed 0.30% of average net assets, on an annualized basis. Expenses means all the expenses of the fund, excluding taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, advisory fees, class-specific expenses, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and short dividend expense. This current limitation expires on February 28, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class I shares to limit expenses for the class, to the extent that expense exceed 1.34% of average net assets of the class. Expenses exclude taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees, and short dividend expense. This current limitation expires on February 28, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

For the year ended October 31, 2017, these expense reductions described above amounted to the following:

Class	Expense reduction	Class	Expense reduction
Class A	$44,756	Class I	$10,299
Class B	1,128	Class NAV	20,475
Class C	8,568	Total	$85,226

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       26

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended October 31, 2017 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.85% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to the Accounting and Legal Services Agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended October 31, 2017, amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:

Class	Rule 12b-1 fee
Class A	0.30%
Class B	1.00%
Class C	1.00%

Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $32,619 for the year ended October 31, 2017. Of this amount, $5,521 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $25,733 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers and $1,365 was paid as sales commissions to sales personnel of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor.

Class A, Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to CDSCs, at declining rates, beginning at 5.00%. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended October 31, 2017, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $11, $706 and $78 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock Group of Funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.

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Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended October 31, 2017 were:

Class	Distribution and service fees	Transfer agent fees
Class A	$66,461	$34,963
Class B	7,623	894
Class C	57,602	6,736
Class I	—	5,353
Total	$131,686	$47,946

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Note 5 — Fund share transactions

Transactions in fund shares for the years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

		Year ended  10-31-17					Year ended  10-31-16
	Shares			Amount		Shares			Amount
Class A shares
Sold	253,457			$5,539,019		121,296			$2,189,169
Distributions reinvested	18,679			327,821		135,553			2,381,673
Repurchased	(454,463		)	(9,267,293	)	(420,205		)	(7,356,783	)
Net decrease	(182,327		)	($3,400,453	)	(163,356		)	($2,785,941	)
Class B shares
Sold	2,037			$35,945		510			$8,605
Distributions reinvested	261			4,426		6,881			116,626
Repurchased	(25,056		)	(484,551	)	(52,914		)	(894,107	)
Net decrease	(22,758		)	($444,180	)	(45,523		)	($768,876	)
Class C shares
Sold	17,925			$372,727		24,216			$425,537
Distributions reinvested	1,605			27,175		23,947			406,141
Repurchased	(99,663		)	(2,028,424	)	(96,900		)	(1,594,021	)
Net decrease	(80,133		)	($1,628,522	)	(48,737		)	($762,343	)
Class I shares
Sold	324,724			$6,403,764		969,571			$18,202,550
Distributions reinvested	1,002			17,507		8,026			140,370
Repurchased	(306,382		)	(6,656,830	)	(932,026		)	(17,417,137	)
Net increase (decrease)	19,344			($235,559	)	45,571			$925,783
Class NAV shares
Distributions reinvested	10,877			192,632		51,536			913,730
Net increase	10,877			$192,632		51,536			$913,730
Total net decrease	(254,997		)	($5,516,082	)	(160,509		)	($2,477,647	)

Affiliates of the fund owned 100% of shares of Class NAV on October 31, 2017. Such concentration of shareholders' capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.

Note 6 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, amounted to $34,137,580 and $39,954,670, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2017.

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Note 7 — Industry or sector risk

The fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund's NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.

Note 8 — Greater China risk

Investments in the Greater China region may be subject to special risks, such as less developed markets, restrictions on monetary repatriation or other adverse government actions, nationalization, or expropriation of assets. Although they are larger and/or more established than many emerging markets, the markets of Greater China function in many ways as emerging markets, and carry the high levels of risks associated with emerging markets. In addition, there are risks particular to the region. For example, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political relationship with China. A small number of companies and industries represent a relatively large portion of the Greater China market as a whole. All of these factors mean that the fund is more likely to experience higher volatility and lower liquidity than a portfolio that invests mainly in U.S. stocks.

Note 9 — Investment by affiliated funds

Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At October 31, 2017, within the John Hancock group of funds complex, John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Aggressive Portfolio had an affiliated ownership of 5% or more at 26.3% of the fund's net assets.

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AUDITOR'S REPORT

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Investment Trust III and Shareholders of John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the fund's investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") as of October 31, 2017, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities as of October 31, 2017 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 19, 2017

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TAX INFORMATION

Unaudited

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended October 31, 2017.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

Income derived from foreign sources was $1,258,403. The fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of $109,361.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2017 Form 1099-DIV in early 2018. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2017.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

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Continuation of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Evaluation of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements by the Board of Trustees

This section describes the evaluation by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Investment Trust III (the Trust) of the Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) and the Subadvisory Agreement (the Subadvisory Agreement) with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited (the Subadvisor) for John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund (the fund). The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the Agreements. Prior to the June 19-22, 2017 in-person meeting at which the Agreements were approved, the Board also discussed and considered information regarding the proposed continuation of the Agreements at an in-person meeting held on May 22-24, 2017.

Approval of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

At in-person meetings held on June 19-22, 2017, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to Agreement or considered to be interested persons of the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) (the Independent Trustees), reapproved for an annual period the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor and the Subadvisory Agreement between the Advisor and the Subadvisor with respect to the fund.

In considering the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board received in advance of the meetings a variety of materials relating to the fund, the Advisor and the Subadvisor, including comparative performance, fee and expense information for a peer group of similar funds prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, performance information for an applicable benchmark index; and, with respect to the Subadvisor, comparative performance information for comparably managed accounts, as applicable, and other information provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor under their respective Agreements, as well as information regarding the Advisor's revenues and costs of providing services to the fund and any compensation paid to affiliates of the Advisor. At the meetings at which the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are considered, particular focus is given to information concerning fund performance, comparability of fees and total expenses, and profitability. However, the Board notes that the evaluation process with respect to the Advisor and the Subadvisor is an ongoing one. In this regard, the Board also took into account discussions with management and information provided to the Board (including its various committees) at prior meetings with respect to the services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor to the fund, including quarterly performance reports prepared by management containing reviews of investment results and prior presentations from the Subadvisor with respect to the fund. The information received and considered by the Board in connection with the May and June meetings and throughout the year was both written and oral. The Board noted the affiliation of the Subadvisor with the Advisor, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board also considered the nature, quality, and extent of non-advisory services, if any, to be provided to the fund by the Advisor's affiliates, including distribution services. The Board considered the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement separately in the course of its review. In doing so, the Board noted the respective roles of the Advisor and Subadvisor in providing services to the fund.

Throughout the process, the Board asked questions of and requested additional information from management. The Board is assisted by counsel for the Trust and the Independent Trustees are also separately assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The Independent Trustees also received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreements and discussed the proposed continuation of the Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of management were present.

Approval of Advisory Agreement

In approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board also considered other factors (including conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry) and did not treat any single factor as

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determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. The Board's conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of the advisory and subadvisory arrangements in prior years and on the Board's ongoing regular review of fund performance and operations throughout the year.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. Among the information received by the Board from the Advisor relating to the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund, the Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor relating to its operations and personnel, descriptions of its organizational and management structure, and information regarding the Advisor's compliance and regulatory history, including its Form ADV. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it receives and reviews information from the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regarding the fund's compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Advisor, and of the undertakings required of the Advisor in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring its own and the fund's compliance programs, risk management programs, liquidity management programs and cybersecurity programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board also considered the Advisor's risk management processes. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the fund, including, but not limited to, general supervision of and coordination of the services provided by the Subadvisor, and is also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the activities of the Subadvisor and third-party service providers. The Board also considered the significant risks assumed by the Advisor in connection with the services provided to the fund including entrepreneurial risk in sponsoring new funds and ongoing risks including investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and compliance risk with respect to all funds.

In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Trustees also took into account their knowledge of the Advisor's management and the quality of the performance of the Advisor's duties, through Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year and through each Trustee's experience as a Trustee of the Trust and of the other trusts in the John Hancock group of funds complex (the John Hancock Fund Complex).

In the course of their deliberations regarding the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other things:

(a)	the skills and competency with which the Advisor has in the past managed the Trust's affairs and its subadvisory relationship, the Advisor's oversight and monitoring of the Subadvisor's investment performance and compliance programs, such as the Subadvisor's compliance with fund policies and objectives, review of brokerage matters, including with respect to trade allocation and best execution and the Advisor's timeliness in responding to performance issues;
(b)	the background, qualifications and skills of the Advisor's personnel;
(c)	the Advisor's compliance policies and procedures and its responsiveness to regulatory changes and fund industry developments;
(d)	the Advisor's administrative capabilities, including its ability to supervise the other service providers for the fund;
(e)	the financial condition of the Advisor and whether it has the financial wherewithal to provide a high level and quality of services to the fund;
(f)	the Advisor's initiatives intended to improve various aspects of the Trust's operations and investor experience with the fund; and
(g)	the Advisor's reputation and experience in serving as an investment advisor to the Trust and the benefit to shareholders of investing in funds that are part of a family of funds offering a variety of investments.

The Board concluded that the Advisor may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund.

Investment performance. In considering the fund's performance, the Board noted that it reviews at its regularly scheduled meetings information about the fund's performance results. In connection with the consideration of the Advisory Agreement, the Board:

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(a)	reviewed information prepared by management regarding the fund's performance;
(b)	considered the comparative performance of an applicable benchmark index;
(c)	considered the performance of comparable funds, if any, as included in the report prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data; and
(d)	took into account the Advisor's analysis of the fund's performance and its plans and recommendations regarding the Trust's subadvisory arrangements generally.

The Board noted that while it found the data provided by independent third-party generally useful it recognized its limitations, including in particular that the data may vary depending on the end date selected and the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group. The Board noted that the fund underperformed its benchmark index for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2016. The Board also noted that the fund underperformed its peer group average for the three- and ten-year periods and outperformed its peer group average for the one- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2016. The Board took into account management's discussion of the fund's performance, including the favorable performance relative to the peer group for the one- and five-year periods. The Board concluded that the fund's performance has generally been in line with or outperformed the historical performance of comparable funds.

Fees and expenses. The Board reviewed comparative information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, including, among other data, the fund's contractual and net management fees (and subadvisory fees, to the extent available) and total expenses as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory and subadvisory services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor. The Board considered the fund's ranking within a smaller group of peer funds chosen by the independent third-party provider, as well as the fund's ranking within a broader group of funds. In comparing the fund's contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Board noted that such fees include both advisory and administrative costs. The Board noted that net management fees and net total expenses for the fund are lower than the peer group median.

The Board took into account management's discussion with respect to the overall management fee, the fees of the Subadvisor, including the amount of the advisory fee retained by the Advisor after payment of the subadvisory fee, in each case in light of the services rendered for those amounts and the risks undertaken by the Advisor. The Board also noted that the Advisor pays the subadvisory fee. In addition, the Board took into account that management had agreed to implement an overall fee waiver across the complex, including the fund, which is discussed further below. The Board also noted actions taken over the past several years to reduce the fund's operating expenses. The Board also noted that, in addition, the Advisor is currently waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses with respect to the fund and that the fund has breakpoints in its contractual management fee schedule that reduce management fees as assets increase. The Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor concerning the investment advisory fee charged by the Advisor or one of its advisory affiliates to other clients (including other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex) having similar investment mandates, if any. The Board considered any differences between the Advisor's and Subadvisor's services to the fund and the services they provide to other comparable clients or funds. The Board concluded that the advisory fee paid with respect to the fund is reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the fund under the Advisory Agreement.

Profitability/Fall out benefits. In considering the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from the Advisor's relationship with the Trust, the Board:

(a)	reviewed financial information of the Advisor;
(b)	reviewed and considered information presented by the Advisor regarding the net profitability to the Advisor and its affiliates with respect to the fund;
(c)	received and reviewed profitability information with respect to the John Hancock Fund Complex as a whole and with respect to the fund;

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(d)	received information with respect to the Advisor's allocation methodologies used in preparing the profitability data and considered that the advisor hired an independent third-party consultant to provide an analysis of the Advisor's allocation methodologies;
(e)	considered that the John Hancock insurance companies that are affiliates of the Advisor, as shareholders of the Trust directly or through their separate accounts, receive certain tax credits or deductions relating to foreign taxes paid and dividends received by certain funds of the Trust and noted that these tax benefits, which are not available to participants in qualified retirement plans under applicable income tax law, are reflected in the profitability information reviewed by the Board;
(f)	considered that the Advisor also provides administrative services to the fund on a cost basis pursuant to an administrative services agreement;
(g)	noted that affiliates of the Advisor provide transfer agency services and distribution services to the fund, and that the fund's distributor also receives Rule 12b-1 payments to support distribution of the fund;
(h)	noted that the fund's Subadvisor is an affiliate of the Advisor;
(i)	noted that the Advisor also derives reputational and other indirect benefits from providing advisory services to the fund;
(j)	noted that the subadvisory fee for the fund is paid by the Advisor;
(k)	considered the Advisor's ongoing costs and expenditures necessary to improve services, meet new regulatory and compliance requirements, and adapt to other challenges impacting the fund industry; and
(l)	considered that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to the fund and the risks that it assumes as Advisor, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risk.

Based upon its review, the Board concluded that the level of profitability, if any, of the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from their relationship with the fund was reasonable and not excessive.

Economies of scale. In considering the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders, the Board:

(a)	considered that the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for certain funds of the John Hancock Fund Complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios) or otherwise reimburse the expenses of the participating portfolios (the reimbursement). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund;
(b)	reviewed the fund's advisory fee structure and concluded that: (i) the fund's fee structure contains breakpoints at the advisory fee level; and (ii) although economies of scale cannot be measured with precision, these arrangements permit shareholders of the fund to benefit from economies of scale if the fund grows. The Board also took into account management's discussion of the fund's advisory fee structure; and
(c)	the Board also considered the effect of the fund's growth in size on its performance and fees. The Board also noted that if the fund's assets increase over time, the fund may realize other economies of scale.

Approval of Subadvisory Agreement

In making its determination with respect to approval of the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board reviewed:

(1) information relating to the Subadvisor's business, including current subadvisory services to the Trust (and other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex);

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(2)	the historical and current performance of the fund and comparative performance information relating to an applicable benchmark index and comparable funds; and
(3)	the subadvisory fee for the fund and to the extent available, comparable fee information prepared by an independent third party provider of fund data.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. With respect to the services provided by the Subadvisor, the Board received information provided to the Board by the Subadvisor, including the Subadvisor's Form ADV, as well as took into account information presented throughout the past year. The Board considered the Subadvisor's current level of staffing and its overall resources, as well as received information relating to the Subadvisor's compensation program. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor's history and investment experience, as well as information regarding the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of the Subadvisor's investment and compliance personnel who provide services to the fund. The Board also considered, among other things, the Subadvisor's compliance program and any disciplinary history. The Board also considered the Subadvisor's risk assessment and monitoring process. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor's regulatory history, including whether it was involved in any regulatory actions or investigations as well as material litigation, and any settlements and amelioratory actions undertaken, as appropriate. The Board noted that the Advisor conducts regular, periodic reviews of the Subadvisor and its operations, including regarding investment processes and organizational and staffing matters. The Board also noted that the Trust's CCO and his staff conduct regular, periodic compliance reviews with the Subadvisor and present reports to the Independent Trustees regarding the same, which includes evaluating the regulatory compliance systems of the Subadvisor and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws. The Board also took into account the financial condition of the Subadvisor.

The Board considered the Subadvisor's investment process and philosophy. The Board took into account that the Subadvisor's responsibilities include the development and maintenance of an investment program for the fund that is consistent with the fund's investment objective, the selection of investment securities and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of such securities, as well as the implementation of compliance controls related to performance of these services. The Board also received information with respect to the Subadvisor's brokerage policies and practices, including with respect to best execution and soft dollars.

Subadvisor compensation. In considering the cost of services to be provided by the Subadvisor and the profitability to the Subadvisor of its relationship with the fund, the Board noted that the fees under the Subadvisory Agreement are paid by the Advisor and not the fund. The Board also received information and took into account any other potential conflicts of interest the Advisor might have in connection with the Subadvisory Agreement.

In addition, the Board considered other potential indirect benefits that the Subadvisor and its affiliates may receive from the Subadvisor's relationship with the fund, such as the opportunity to provide advisory services to additional funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex and reputational benefits.

Subadvisory fees. The Board considered that the fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that, in turn, the Advisor pays a subadvisory fee to the Subadvisor. As noted above, the Board also considered the fund's subadvisory fees as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund as included in the report prepared by the independent third party provider of fund data, to the extent available. The Board noted that the limited size of the Lipper peer group was not sufficient for comparative purposes. The Board also took into account the subadvisory fees paid by the Advisor to the Subadvisor with respect to the fund and compared them to fees charged by the Subadvisor to manage other subadvised portfolios and portfolios not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, as applicable.

Subadvisor performance. As noted above, the Board considered the fund's performance as compared to the fund's peer group and the benchmark index and noted that the Board reviews information about the fund's performance results at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board noted the Advisor's expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style and risk-adjusted performance of the Subadvisor. The Board was mindful of the Advisor's focus on the Subadvisor's performance. The Board also noted the Subadvisor's long-term performance record for similar accounts, as applicable.

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The Board's decision to approve the Subadvisory Agreement was based on a number of determinations, including the following:

(1)	the Subadvisor has extensive experience as demonstrated skills as a manager;
(2)	the performance of the fund has generally been in line with or outperformed the historical performance of comparable funds;
(3)	the subadvisory fee is reasonable in relation to the level and quality of services being provided under the Subadvisory Agreement; and
(4)	noted that the subadvisory fees are paid by the Advisor not the fund.

* * *

Based on the Board's evaluation of all factors that the Board deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement would be in the best interest of the fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, and the Independent Trustees voting separately, approved the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement for an additional one-year period.

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Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

Name, year of birth Position(s) held with Trust Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years	Trustee of the Trust since1	Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945	2012	223
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II.

Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941	2012	223
Trustee Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014), Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942	2012	223
Trustee Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944	2005	223
Trustee Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946	2012	223
Trustee Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       38

Independent Trustees (continued)

Name, year of birth Position(s) held with Trust Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years	Trustee of the Trust since1	Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee
Theron S. Hoffman,2 Born: 1947	2012	223
Trustee Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization (consulting firm) (2003-2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006-2008); Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000-2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997-2000). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952	2008	223
Trustee President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (since 2014); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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) (2007-2011). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); and Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

James M. Oates, Born: 1946	2012	223
Trustee Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (2014-2016), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (2015-2016), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2016).

Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944	2005	223
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board 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 (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (since 2014); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       39

Independent Trustees (continued)

Name, year of birth Position(s) held with Trust Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years	Trustee of the Trust since1	Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949	2009	223
Trustee Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (since 2012) and Finance Committee Chairman (since 2014), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Non-Independent Trustees⁴

Name, year of birth Position(s) held with Trust Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years	Trustee of the Trust since1	Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971	2017	223
President and Trustee Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2017).

James R. Boyle, Born: 1959	2015	223
Non-Independent Trustee Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (since 2014); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (2005-2010; 2012-2014 and since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2005-2014 and since 2015).

Warren A. Thomson, Born: 1955	2012	223
Non-Independent Trustee Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, Manulife Asset Management Limited (since 2006); Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       40

Principal officers who are not Trustees

Name, year of birth Position(s) held with Trust Principal occupation(s) during past 5 years	Officer of the Trust since
John J. Danello, Born: 1955	2014
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer Vice President and Chief Counsel, John Hancock Wealth Management (since 2005); Senior Vice President (since 2007) and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2010), John Hancock Funds, LLC and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC; Senior Vice President (since 2006, including prior positions) and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (since 2014), John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014); Vice President, John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (since 2010); and Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2014, including prior positions) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC.

Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947

2005

Chief Compliance Officer Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957

2007

Chief Financial Officer Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965

2010

Treasurer Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007-2009 and since 2010, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1	Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2	Member of the Audit Committee.
3	"John Hancock retail funds" comprises John Hancock Funds III and 38 other John Hancock funds consisting of 28 series of other John Hancock trusts and 10 closed-end funds.
4	The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       41

More information

Trustees
Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott†^#
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle†
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Theron S. Hoffman*
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates
Gregory A. Russo
Warren A. Thomson†
Officers
Andrew G. Arnott
President
John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer
Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer
Investment advisor
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor
John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited
Principal distributor
John Hancock Funds, LLC
Custodian
Citibank, N.A.
Transfer agent
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Legal counsel
K&L Gates LLP
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee
^#Effective 6-20-17

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

You can also contact us:
800-225-5291 jhinvestments.com	Regular mail: John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 55913 Boston, MA 02205-5913	Express mail: John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. Suite 55913 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GREATER CHINA OPPORTUNITIES FUND       42

John Hancock family of funds

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS

Balanced
Blue Chip Growth
Classic Value
Disciplined Value
Disciplined Value Mid Cap
Equity Income
Fundamental All Cap Core
Fundamental Large Cap Core
Fundamental Large Cap Value
New Opportunities
Small Cap Core
Small Cap Value
Small Company
Strategic Growth
U.S. Global Leaders Growth
U.S. Growth
Value Equity
GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS

Disciplined Value International
Emerging Markets
Emerging Markets Equity
Fundamental Global Franchise
Global Equity
Global Shareholder Yield
Greater China Opportunities
International Growth
International Small Company
International Value Equity
INCOME FUNDS

Bond
California Tax-Free Income
Emerging Markets Debt
Floating Rate Income
Global Income
Government Income
High Yield
High Yield Municipal Bond
Income
Investment Grade Bond
Money Market
Short Duration Credit Opportunities
Spectrum Income
Strategic Income Opportunities
Tax-Free Bond
ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS

Absolute Return Currency
Alternative Asset Allocation
Enduring Assets
Financial Industries
Global Absolute Return Strategies
Global Conservative Absolute Return
Global Focused Strategies
Natural Resources
Redwood
Regional Bank
Seaport
Technical Opportunities

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investments at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

ASSET ALLOCATION

Income Allocation Fund
Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios
Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios
Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios
Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE FUNDS

ESG All Cap Core
ESG Core Bond
ESG International Equity
ESG Large Cap Core
CLOSED-END FUNDS

Financial Opportunities
Hedged Equity & Income
Income Securities Trust
Investors Trust
Preferred Income
Preferred Income II
Preferred Income III
Premium Dividend
Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income
Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Funds, LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.

John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investments is a premier asset manager representing one of
America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of financial stewardship dating
back to 1862. Helping our shareholders pursue their financial goals is at the
core of everything we do. It's why we support the role of professional financial
advice and operate with the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising standards
and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide a diverse set
of investments backed by some of the world's best managers, along with strong
risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

 

	John Hancock Funds, LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC 601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com
	This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
	MF410670	08A 10/17 12/17

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

As of the end of the period, October 31, 2017, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (respectively, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer, the “Senior Financial Officers”). A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Peter S. Burgess is the audit committee financial expert and is “independent”, pursuant to general instructions on Form N-CSR Item 3.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant(s) for John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant(s) in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to $35,597 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and $34,813 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

(b) Audit-Related Services
Audit-related service fees for John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund amounted to $525 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and $427 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 billed to the registrant or to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant ("control affiliates"). The nature of the services provided was affiliated service provider internal controls reviews. In addition, amounts billed to control affiliates for service provider internal controls reviews were $106,517 and $103,474 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(c) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant(s) for John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund for the tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“tax fees”) amounted to $4,275 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and $4,197 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant’s tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

(d) All Other Fees
Other fees for John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund amounted to $839 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and $109 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 billed to the registrant or to the control affiliates.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The trust’s Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditor”) relating to the operations or financial reporting of the funds. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund, the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.

The trust’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee’s consideration of audit-related and non-audit services by

the Auditor. The policies and procedures require that any audit-related and non-audit service provided by the Auditor and any non-audit service provided by the Auditor to a fund service provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a fund are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided. Audit-related services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $25,000 per instance/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Tax services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $30,000 per instance/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

All audit services, as well as the audit-related and non-audit services that are expected to exceed the amounts stated above, must be approved in advance of provision of the service by formal resolution of the Audit Committee. At the regularly scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Committee reviews a report summarizing the services, including fees, provided by the Auditor.

(e)(2) Services approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:

Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees:
There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) According to the registrant’s principal accountant, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the percentage of hours spent on the audit of the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons who were not full-time, permanent employees of principal accountant was less than 50%.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant(s) for services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's control affiliates for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were $8,884,780 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and $4,590,783 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016.

(h) The audit committee of the registrant has considered the non-audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant(s) to the control affiliates and has determined that the services that were not pre-approved are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant(s)' independence.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee comprised of independent trustees. The members of the audit committee are as follows:

Peter S. Burgess - Chairman
Charles L. Bardelis
Theron S. Hoffman

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There were no material changes to previously disclosed John Hancock Funds – Nominating and Governance Committee Charter.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is attached.

(a)(2) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

(b) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.

(c)(1) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders is attached. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Nominating and Governance Committee Charter”.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

John Hancock Investment Trust III
By:	/s/ Andrew Arnott
	Andrew Arnott
	President
Date:	December 19, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:	/s/ Andrew Arnott
	Andrew Arnott
	President
Date:	December 19, 2017
By:	/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
	Charles A. Rizzo
	Chief Financial Officer
Date:	December 19, 2017

EX-99.CODE ETH

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust
John Hancock Funds
John Hancock Funds II
John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics
for
Principal Executive, Principal Financial Officer & Treasurer

I. Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code
This code of ethics (this “Code”) for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds¹, and John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and, each a registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), which may issue shares in separate and distinct series (each investment company and series thereunder to be hereinafter referred to as a “Fund”), applies to each Fund’s Principal Executive Officer (“President”), Principal Financial Officer (“Chief Financial Officer”) and Treasurer (“Treasurer”) (the “Covered Officers” as set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting:

➢	honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
➢	full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Fund;
➢	compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;
➢	the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and
➢	accountability for adherence to the Code.

____________________

¹ John Hancock Funds includes the following trusts: John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund; John Hancock Bond Trust; John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund; John Hancock Capital Series; John Hancock Funds III; John Hancock Income Securities Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust II; John Hancock Investment Trust III; John Hancock Investors Trust; John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust; John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III; John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund; John Hancock Strategic Series; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund; John Hancock Hedged Equity and Income Fund; and John Hancock Collateral Trust.

1 of 6

Each of the Covered Officers should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

II.  Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest

Overview
A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his service to, the Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his position with the Fund. Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between the Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Fund. Each of the Covered Officers is an officer or employee of the investment adviser or a service provider (“Service Provider”) to the Fund. The Fund’s, the investment adviser’s and the Service Provider’s compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Fund, for the investment adviser or for the Service Provider), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on the investment adviser, the Service Provider and the Fund. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Thus, if such participation is performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors (the “Board”) that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by other Codes.

Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but the Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Fund.

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Each Covered Officer must:

➢	not use his/her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund;
➢	not cause the Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of the Fund; and
➢	not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Fund to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions.

Additionally, conflicts of interest may arise in other situations, the propriety of which may be discussed, if material, with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Examples of these include:

➢	serve as a director/trustee on the board of any public or private company;
➢	the receipt of any non-nominal gifts;
➢	the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety (or other formulation as the Fund already uses in another code of conduct);
➢	any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Fund’s service providers, other than its investment adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and
➢	a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

III. Disclosure & Compliance

➢	Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Fund;
➢	Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others, whether within or outside the Fund, including to the Fund’s directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations;

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➢

Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his/her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Fund and the Fund’s adviser or any sub-adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; and

➢

It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

IV. Reporting & Accountability
Each Covered Officer must:

➢	upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming an Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has received, read, and understands the Code;
➢	annually thereafter affirm to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has complied with the requirements of the Code;
➢	not retaliate against any employee or Covered Officer or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith;
➢	notify the Fund’s CCO promptly if he/she knows of any violation of this Code (Note: failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code); and
➢	report at least annually any change in his/her affiliations from the prior year.

The Fund’s CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by the Principal Executive Officer will be considered by the Fund’s Board or the Compliance Committee thereof (the “Committee”).

The Fund will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

➢	the Fund’s CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him/her;
➢	if, after such investigation, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required to take any further action;
➢	any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee;

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➢	if the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, the Board, either upon its determination of a violation or upon recommendation of the Compliance Committee, if applicable, will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the Service Provider or the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Registrant’s Executive Officer;
➢	the Board, or if applicable the Compliance Committee, will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and
➢	any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

V. Other Policies & Procedures
This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Fund for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Fund’s and its investment adviser’s codes of ethics under Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, respectively, are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.

VI. Amendments
Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Fund’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.

VII. Confidentiality
All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Fund’s Board and its counsel, the investment adviser and the relevant Service Providers.

VIII. Internal Use
The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Fund and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Fund, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

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Exhibit A
Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics
(As of December 31, 2016)

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust

➢	Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
➢	Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
➢	Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds

➢	Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
➢	Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
➢	Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds II

➢	Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
➢	Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
➢	Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Exchange-Traded Trust

➢	Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
➢	Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
➢	Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

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EX-99.CERT

CERTIFICATION

I, Andrew Arnott, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Investment Trust III (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 19, 2017	/s/ Andrew Arnott
	Andrew Arnott
	President

CERTIFICATION

I, Charles A. Rizzo, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Investment Trust III (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 19, 2017	/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
	Charles A. Rizzo
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.906 CERT

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the attached Report of John Hancock Investment Trust III (the “registrant”) on Form N-CSR to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the registrant does hereby certify that, to the best of such officer's knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

	/s/ Andrew Arnott
	Andrew Arnott
	President
Dated:	December 19, 2017
	/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
	Charles A. Rizzo
	Chief Financial Officer
Dated: December 19, 2017

A signed original of this written statement, required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-99.(C)(1)

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS¹
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

Overall Role and Responsibility

The Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of each of the Trusts shall (1) make determinations and recommendations to the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) regarding issues related to (a) the composition of the Board and (b) corporate governance matters applicable to the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), of any of the Trusts, or of any Fund’s investment adviser, subadviser or principal underwriter and who are “independent” as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (the “Independent Trustees”) and (2) discharge such additional duties, responsibilities and functions as are delegated to it from time to time.

Membership

The Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) shall be composed of all of the Independent Trustees of the Board. One member of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board as Chair of the Committee. The chair shall be responsible for leadership of the Committee, including scheduling meetings or reviewing and approving the schedule for them, preparing agendas or reviewing and approving them before meetings, presiding over meetings of the Committee and making reports to the full Board, as appropriate.

Structure, Operations and Governance

Meetings and Actions by Written Consent. The Committee shall meet as often as required or as the Committee deems appropriate, with or without management present. Meetings may be called and notice given by the Committee chair or a majority of the members of the Committee. Members may attend meetings in person or by telephone. The Committee may act by written consent to the extent permitted by law and the Funds’ governing documents. The Committee shall report to the Board on any significant action it takes not later than the next following Board meeting.

Required Vote and Quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee participating in any meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present is necessary for the adoption of any resolution. At least a majority of the Committee members present at the meeting in person or by telephone shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

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¹ “John Hancock Funds” includes each trust and series thereof listed in Appendix A, as may be amended from time to time (each individually, a “Trust,” and collectively, the “Trusts,” and each series thereof, a “Portfolio” or “Fund,” and collectively, the “Portfolios” or “Funds”).

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Delegation to Subcommittees. The Committee may delegate any portion of its authority to a subcommittee of one or more members.

Appropriate Resources and Authority. The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain special counsel and other advisers, experts or consultants, at the Funds’ expense, as it determines necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities. In addition, the Committee shall have direct access to such officers of and service providers to the Funds as it deems desirable.

Review of Charter. The Committee Charter shall be approved by at least a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter periodically and, where necessary or as it deems desirable, will recommend changes to the Board for its approval. The Board may amend this Charter at any time in response to recommendations from the Committee or on its own motion.

Executive Sessions. The Committee may meet privately and may invite non-members to attend such meetings. The Committee may meet with representatives of the Investment Management Services department of the Funds’ advisers, internal legal counsel of the Funds’ advisers, members of the John Hancock Funds Risk & Investment Operations Committee (the “RIO Committee”) and with representatives of the Funds’ service providers, including the subadvisers, to discuss matters that relate to the areas for which the Committee has responsibility.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Committee shall have the following duties and powers, to be exercised at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall determine:

1.	Except where a Trust is legally required to nominate individuals recommended by another, to identify individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trusts, and to consider and recommend to the full Board nominations of individuals to serve as Trustees.
2.	To consider, as it deems necessary or appropriate, the criteria for persons to fill existing or newly created Trustee vacancies. The Committee shall use the criteria and principles set forth in Annex A to guide its Trustee selection process.
3.	To consider and recommend changes to the Board regarding the size, structure, and composition of the Board.
4.	To evaluate, from time to time, and determine changes to the retirement policies for the Independent Trustees, as appropriate.
5.	To periodically review the Board’s committee structure and, in collaboration with the Chairs of the various Committees, the charters of the Board’s committees, and recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the committee structure and charters as it deems appropriate.

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6.	To retain and terminate any firm(s) to be used to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential Independent Board nominees, subject to the Board’s sole authority to approve the firm’s fees and other retention terms.
7.	To consider and determine the amount of compensation to be paid by the Trusts to the Independent Trustees, including the compensation of the Chair of the Board or any Vice-Chair of the Board and of Committee Chairs, and to address compensation-related matters. The Chair of the Board has been granted the authority to approve special compensation to Independent Trustees in recognition of any significant amount of additional time and service to the Trusts provided by them, subject to ratification of any such special compensation by the Committee at the next regular meeting of the Committee.
8.	To coordinate and administer an annual self-evaluation of the Board, which will include, at a minimum, a review of its effectiveness in overseeing the number of Funds in the Fund complex and the effectiveness of its committee structure.
9.	To review the Board Governance Procedures and recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the Procedures as the Committee deems appropriate.
10.	To report its activities to the full Board and to make such recommendations with respect to the matters described above and other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

The Committee will also perform other tasks assigned to it from time to time by the Chair of the Board or by the Board, and will report findings and recommendations to the Board, as appropriate.

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ANNEX A

The Committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering Trustee candidates, including (but not limited to) the criteria set forth below. The Committee may determine that a candidate who does not satisfy these criteria in one or more respects should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the Committee finds that the criteria satisfied by the candidate and the candidate’s other qualifications demonstrate the appropriate level of fitness to serve.

General Criteria

1.	Nominees should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards, and such other personal characteristics as a capacity for leadership and the ability to work well with others.
2.	Nominees should have business, professional, academic, financial, accounting or other experience and qualifications which demonstrate that they will make a valuable contribution as Trustees.
3.	Nominees should have a commitment to understand the Funds, and the responsibilities of a trustee/director of an investment company and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees.
4.	Nominees should have the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the various constituencies of the Funds, including shareholders and the investment adviser, and to act in the interests of all shareholders.
5.	Nominees should not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair their ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a trustee.
6.	Nominees should have experience on corporate or other institutional bodies having oversight responsibilities.

It is the intent of the Committee that at least one Independent Trustee be an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Application of Criteria to Current Trustees

The re-nomination of current Trustees should not be viewed as automatic, but should be based on continuing qualification under the criteria set forth above based on, among other things, the current Trustee’s contribution to the Board and any committee on which he or she serves.

Review of Nominations

1.	The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of each Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified candidates to serve as members of the Board.
2.	In nominating candidates who would be Independent Trustees, the Committee believes that no particular qualities or skills nor any specific minimum qualifications or disqualifications are controlling or paramount. The Committee shall take into consideration any such factors as it deems appropriate; however, the appropriate mix of skills, expertise and attributes needed to maintain an effective board are sought in the applicant pool as part of every search the Board undertakes for new trustees, including but not limited to the diversity of thought, as well as of gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin. These factors may also include (but are not limited to) the person’s character, integrity, judgment, skill and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members; and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any Committees thereof. Other factors that the Committee may take into consideration include a person’s availability and commitment to attend meetings and perform his or her responsibilities; whether or not the person has or had any relationships that might impair or appear to impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment adviser and/or any subadviser of the Funds, as applicable, Fund service providers, or their affiliates or with Fund shareholders. The Committee will strive to achieve a group that reflects a diversity of experiences in respect of industries, professions and other experiences, and that is diversified as to thought, gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin.
3.	While the Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of Independent Trustee candidates, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by any source, including shareholders, management, legal counsel and Board members, as it deems appropriate. The Committee may retain a professional search firm or a consultant to assist the Committee in a search for a qualified candidate. Any recommendations from shareholders shall be directed to the Secretary of the relevant Trust at such address as is set forth in the Trust’s disclosure documents. Recommendations from management may be submitted to the Committee Chair. All recommendations shall include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Board members and as specified in the relevant Trust’s By-Laws, and must be accompanied by a written consent of the proposed candidate to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders.

4.	Any shareholder nomination must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in order to be considered by the Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, the 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 its designated nominees, the candidate’s name will be placed on the Trust’s proxy card. If the Board determines not to include such candidate among its 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.
5.	As long as a current Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of the Committee, to satisfy the criteria listed above, the Committee generally would favor the re-nomination of a current Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as trustees, the Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board, or the Committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Trustee is in the best interests of the relevant Trust. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable, the Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified by other means as discussed in this Annex A.
6.	With respect to candidates for Independent Trustee, a biography of each candidate shall be acquired and shall be reviewed by counsel to the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Trust to determine the candidate’s eligibility to serve as an Independent Trustee.
7.	The Committee may from time to time establish specific requirements and/or additional factors to be considered for Independent Trustee candidates as it deems necessary or appropriate.
8.	After its consideration of relevant factors, the Committee shall present its recommendation(s) to the full Board for its consideration.

Appendix A

List of John Hancock Fund Trusts

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund	John Hancock Investors Trust
John Hancock Bond Trust	John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust
John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund	John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
John Hancock Capital Series	John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II
John Hancock Current Interest	John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III
John Hancock Emerging Markets Income Fund	John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
John Hancock Flexible Income Opportunities Fund	John Hancock Series Trust
John Hancock Funds II	John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund
John Hancock Funds III	John Hancock Strategic Diversified Income Fund
John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund	John Hancock Strategic Series
John Hancock Income Securities Trust	John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
John Hancock Investment Trust	John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund
John Hancock Investment Trust II	John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Fund
John Hancock Investment Trust III	John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust