What a ridiculous, backward stop. Back 2 the days of the British Empire. Key, why not go the whole hog and make people stand to God Save The Queen b4 the screening of movies again. This is the 21st Century, let that be reflected in a honours system that is for New Zealand and not some throwback to Britain. And quite frankly, some of the comments against not having titles are pathetic.

As a Kiwi living in the UK, I have read with interest that New Zealand has restored the practise of awarding Dame and Knighthoods and I agree that these honours should again be awarded to worthy New Zealanders. As a nation, we pull well above our weight Internationally and we always have done. More often than not a kiwis who is well known at home is unknown overseas and these titles bring International recognition and respect.

However, a word of warning. During the regime of the current Labour Government in Britain, so many knighthoods and peerages have been given in return for nothing more than large and illegal donations to the Labour Party, the British public now view some of these honours with suspicion, especially the disproportionate number of awards made to friends and associates of government ministers. A good word for this is “corruption” I do not know how these awards will be made – but as it is very difficult to take honours away once awarded, New Zealand would do well to ensure that all Dame and Knighthoods are recommended by an independent body, consisting of people who are totally divorced from Government. They should also have the power to remove any title where a person has been convicted, either at home or abroad, of a serious crime. Once devalued by sleeze are they worth having at all?

Russell Spence

Tony #15 Highly distinguished because of a gong? There are people in this country with Sir in front of their name i wouldnt trust to tie my laces

Sir Bob Jones, Sir Michael Fay ... great idea at the time (yeah right). Who is next? Sir Helen Clarke Sir John Key Sir Jonah Lomu Sir Peter Stewart Sir Peter Ellis Sir Boy Racer

Would those rabbiting on about titles being a colonial throw-back like to see us rid of the Westminster System too? And, in fact, all the laws of this country, the english language, the 2 year working holiday visa (extended to young Kiwis because of our ties), roast lamb... etc, etc... I'm being facetious but you get my point... I AM SOOOOO SICK OF BEING MADE TO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO APOLOGISE FOR IT!!!!! And if I was a recent immigrant from the UK I'd feel a little bit culturally offended.

This restoration of the foreign knighthood system is a load of b****ks. Talk about a step backwards. Looks like some of the old Tory hacks were missing their gongs and felt now is the time to reistate this old archaic system whilst their party is still walking on water. Well enjoy this back scratching system whilst it last folks cause it is only going to be ditched once and for all when NZ becomes a Republic!!

I dub thee Sir Recession Killer! Now do something about that please Mr Key.

Though I do like the idea of recognising people for their hard work for NZ, there's nothing wrong with a bit of morale boosting.

David Ait are you blind? how can something they stated throughout the election campaign be a hidden agenda. My god do you vote without even watching, listening or reading anything?

Clearly the media and a handful of misfits above are out of step with New Zealand. "Hidden agenda"?!?!? What? National promised this restoration of New Zealand Culture BEFORE the election. Hellin promised she would stand against banning smacking before she was elected too, it is on very clear record you can listen to the lieing words pour out of her decietful mouth.

Key keeps a promise and he is "unforgivable"! Pahahaha.

Helen and her corrupt Mob defy the law and 85% of Kiwis and what is she. A Good person? Pahahaha. You Socialists and haters of success. You are the reason this country was tumbling down the hill of Mediocre Goals to below average.

We need ambition and celebration of greatness not greyness as are companions that are all equal by regulation. Principle Comrade Helen and you wee mob Go back join your buddies in Cuba, North Korea, China or the old Soviet Union. Communism is a failure that has cost more lives than World war two!

We are Kiwis a Nation formed as a partnership between Britian and Maoris. Dispite the violations of that agreement we need to be ashamed of, we have walked a far better path until recently than most colonisations. Both sides have benefitted and one side needs a few things still put right.

And the out of touch Media in concert with its typical nutta left bias has headlines like "Titles a backweard step" "Knighthoods leave door open to accusations" "National throws off 'Labour-lite' tag" "Mixed reactions...." (only from the minority domination oops administration that demolished our honours system) Talk about Bias. Statement of it being fact telling the conclusion not reporting the facts and all negative dispite the opposite opinion of the majority of Kiwis. Well yet again the PC tiny minority are contradicted by the public opinion they try to DOMINEER. 76% in the poll here support it!

GREAT! It is optional too for all those who like the 'Comrade' term rather than Sir or Dame. It marks a welcome return to the heritage New Zealand/Aotearoa has with Britain even as it seems to be getting greater as Masses of us go there to work for a few years. Sir Ed! or Principle Companion Ed! I think the choice is Obvious!

It is Imperitive to those who seek to respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it is a Document rooted in the commitment between Britain and Maori to bring to peoples together to form one greater nation that honours its original people and its new people as each contributes to the new greater whole. The Maori Tangata Whenua and the rest of us who came a lot later are bound by the good spirit of that agreement that came directly from the Authority of Maori Chiefs and Britains Queen (excepting that not all chiefs did sign and that decision should be considered with respect in those regions). For those desperate to deny New Zealands roots it is also of value to have a Term internationally recognised as Sir and Dame is, as much as we use the term Mr and Mrs despite them not originating in New Zealand. Why Helen wanted to Cut of the prestige of all those before with her neo commy term principal companion is absurd. It cuts off and seperates the new generation from a heritage of other great New Zealanders and of many around the world. And frankly when someone is called principal companion it sounds clumsy and goofy and close to meaningless. Maybe it refers to the idea you are involved with the primary school principal? Well at least Chairman Helen didn't force us to be given the synonym to companion (and I don't mean 'partner'). I am sure she wished she could have used that term Comradeused by the likes of all she admired.

Keep it up Roll back the D Generations mess Key.