<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<edgarSubmission xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common" xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/npx">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>N-PX</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <registrantType>RMIC</registrantType>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
      <filer>
        <issuerCredentials>
          <cik>0001215913</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </issuerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <investmentCompanyType>N-2</investmentCompanyType>
      <periodOfReport>06/30/2024</periodOfReport>
    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <coverPage>
      <yearOrQuarter>YEAR</yearOrQuarter>
      <reportCalendarYear>2024</reportCalendarYear>
      <reportingPerson>
        <name>John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III</name>
        <phoneNumber>617-543-9634</phoneNumber>
        <address>
          <com:street1>200 Berkeley Street</com:street1>
          <com:city>Boston</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>02116</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </reportingPerson>
      <agentForService>
        <name>Fernando A. Silva</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>197 Clarendon Street</com:street1>
          <com:city>Boston</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>02116</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </agentForService>
      <reportInfo>
        <reportType>FUND VOTING REPORT</reportType>
      </reportInfo>
      <fileNumber>811-21287</fileNumber>
      <leiNumber>549300SKQ7P13U1YJN71</leiNumber>
    </coverPage>
    <summaryPage>
      <otherIncludedManagersCount>0</otherIncludedManagersCount>
    </summaryPage>
    <seriesPage>
      <seriesCount>0</seriesCount>
    </seriesPage>
    <signaturePage>
      <reportingPerson>Kristie M. Feinberg</reportingPerson>
      <txSignature>Kristie M. Feinberg</txSignature>
      <txPrintedSignature>Kristie M. Feinberg</txPrintedSignature>
      <txTitle>President</txTitle>
      <txAsOfDate>08/05/2024</txAsOfDate>
    </signaturePage>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
