The titles, linked to the British honors system, were dropped in 2000 by the then-Labor government.
The move brought criticism then that it was part of a move to turn New Zealand, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations — the former British Commonwealth — into a republic.
The 85 New Zealanders who were appointed Principal and Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit between 2000 and 2008 will now be given the opportunity to accept a non-hereditary title of knight, or its female equivalent of dame.
