Dressed in all his regalia, Lichfield's Town Crier claimed a tricorn hat-trick of wins in the Central Otago World Town Crier Tournament, gaining bragging rights for England as the overall winner.
Mr Knowles (66) was ''over the moon'' after competing against 17 other town criers from all around the world to claim the coveted top award.
His efforts were recognised at the ''Bell's Up'' dinner in Alexandra on Wednesday marking the end of the week-long tournament.
It was the first time the event had been staged in New Zealand and it was held as part of the annual Blossom Festival.
Mr Knowles has been crying for six years and said the award was the high point of his career.
The retired schoolteacher had always been interested in amateur dramatics.
''Being a teacher, I was used to using my voice ... to praise, to encourage, to cajole, to berate.''
He saw the town crier's role advertised and applied for it: ''After all, I'm a man with a voice and with presence.''
Now, he works for the Lichfield City Council 15 days a year maintaining the tradition of town crying as well as travelling around the world, at his own expense, to compete in various tournaments.
''I've never had so much fun as since I became a town crier.''
He had met Central Otago Town Crier Paddy-Ann Pemberton at his first world tournament and treasured the support she gave him as a ''newbie''.
That connection prompted his trip to this country, with the aim of supporting the tournament she had organised.
He won all three competition ''cries'', in Roxburgh, Cromwell and Alexandra.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper paid tribute to Mrs Pemberton for her work and her ''fantastic'' hosting skills.
The competitors had been very visible in the community and generated good publicity for the area as well as being great ambassadors for their respective areas, he said.
The award recipients were chosen by a panel of Central Otago judges.
During their ''cries'', competitors were judged on vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing, how they engaged the audience and the content of their cry.
David McKee, of Brantford, Canada, won the tournament award for best ambassador.
He said Central Otago residents had been excellent hosts and the ''whole of New Zealand has just blown me away - especially the scenery in the Maniototo''.
Daniel Richer dit LaFleche, of Canada, was the best-dressed town crier, Judy and Peter Campbell, of Australia the best-dressed couple and Bev and Jerry Praver the media award winners.
Mrs Pemberton was delighted with the success of the event and feedback from competitors and hosts.
