<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001228616-11-000083.txt : 20111213
<SEC-HEADER>0001228616-11-000083.hdr.sgml : 20111213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20111213140108
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001228616-11-000083
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20111206
FILED AS OF DATE:		20111213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20111213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Greiner Lisa
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001537049

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08568
		FILM NUMBER:		111258165

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JOHN HANCOCK BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000925683
		IRS NUMBER:				043241844
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-663-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
		STREET 2:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940728

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN REGIONAL BANK & THRIFT FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0204</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-12-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000925683</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>JOHN HANCOCK BANK &amp; THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BTO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001537049</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Greiner Lisa</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O JOHN HANCOCK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>601 CONGRESS STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02210</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President, Investments</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lisa Greiner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-12-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
