A swag of new Knights and more than a few Dames will mean some updating in the business community’s A list invitation lists.

Government House has announced 47 new Knights and 23 new Dames among 88 who received the equivalent of titular honours since they were abolished by the Labour government in 2000 and before their restoration this year.

Eleven people turned down titular titles. A few others, who already had titular honours, had their designations upgraded – for example, Sir Patrick Goodman.

Olympic gold-medallist John Walker, arts patron Jenny Gibbs and Maori educationalist Iritana Tawhiwhirangi have been awarded top honours in the National government’s first Queen’s Birthday list for nine years.

All will benefit from the restoration of titular honours and they will automatically assume the titles of Dame and Knight Companions to the Order of New Zealand.

Sir John won his gold medal at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, joining Sir Murray Halberg and Peter Snell as running great to receive the high honour.

More than a dozen businessmen will be able to claim a knighthood after Prime Minister John Key’s surprise weekend announcement that titles are to be reinstated in the New Zealand Honours system.

Mr Key says the Queen has given approval for the reinstatement of titles and they will come into effect in time for the Queen's Birthday honours list in June.