Making a day out of a Knight

Sir John Walker accepts his knighthood in Auckland. Photo / Janna Dixon

Olympic great Sir John Walker said he felt "really honoured"during his investiture by the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, at Auckland's Government house yesterday.

Sir John had less than a day to prepare for the private investiture after he received a call on Friday asking if he would be able to attend a ceremony the following day.

After learning of the knighthood earlier this year, Sir John thought the ceremony would take place in October. But his wife Lady Helen, his four children and their partners, and his 79-year-old mother Leah, stood by to watch Sir John accept his knighthood.

A self-confessed royalist, Sir John said he was in favour of the title and did not view it as snobbish. "It's a New Zealand title, not a British title. It gives the medal some significance and makes people feel proud."

However Sir John won't be insisting on his title, preferring "Councillor Walker" for his role as a Manukau City councillor.

On Friday another Olympic great, Sir Peter Snell, took part in a ceremony in Wellington to change medals awarded under the previous government to knighthoods.