Dr Joanna Knight – Gynaecologist
MBChB (Liverpool) 2001, FRANZCOG 2018

I’m Dr Jo Knight, a specialist gynaecologist based in New Zealand. I’m known for my compassionate, individualised, and evidence-based approach to women’s health. I offer a full range of conservative, medical, and surgical treatments, and work closely with my patients, their GPs or nurse practitioners, and physiotherapists. When needed, I also consult with specialist colleagues to ensure the best care for more complex situations.

I decided I wanted to be a doctor when I was just eight years old, and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2001. I began training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology soon after, including time in related areas like NICU and oncology. I moved to Auckland in 2006, then to Christchurch in 2012, and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG) in 2018. Over the years, I’ve worked in a wide range of healthcare settings—from smaller secondary care units to major tertiary hospitals—both in the UK’s Mersey region and across New Zealand, including roles at National Women’s Health (Auckland), North Shore Hospital, Taranaki Base Hospital, Wairau Hospital in Blenheim, and Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Since 2019, I’ve also been the visiting gynaecologist at the Canterbury Charity Hospital, offering free surgical and outpatient care to those without access to public or private services.

My special interests include the diagnosis and management of cervical and endometrial precancerous and benign changes, using colposcopy and hysteroscopy, along with vaginal and vulval conditions. While at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, I served as Lead Colposcopist for four years, helping guide the unit through the transition to primary HPV screening. I have a strong focus on patient comfort and minimally invasive care, and helped implement the “see and treat” model in the outpatient hysteroscopy service to minimise the need for multiple procedures.

In addition to my clinical work, I’m involved in education, training, and supervision. I contribute to postgraduate teaching, including through the University of Otago Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology programme. I also keep my knowledge current through RANZCOG and by attending national and international conferences.

I’m a member of several professional societies, including:

• Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery Society (AGES)

• British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE)

• Australasian Menopause Society (AMS)

• International Menopause Society (IMS)

• Australian Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP)

• Australia and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)

I welcome both provider and self-referrals, and am committed to empowering women through clear communication and shared decision-making. I consult at Juno Women’s Health and provide surgical care at Southern Cross Hospital.