At least two Otago people will take the title sir or dame after being given the option to do so, while another with Otago connections has said `no'.
Titles were abolished in 1999, but last month Prime Minister John Key announced they would be reinstated from July for the people made principal or distinguished companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit since 2000.
Use of the titles is optional for those made principal or distinguished companions between 2000 and 2009, and the 85 people eligible have until June 30 to decide what they will do.
Queenstown businessman and New Zealand Olympics Committee chairman Eion Edgar and Dunedin educationalist Pat Harrison have now both said they will accept a title, while former Anglican bishop of Dunedin the Rt Rev Dr Penny Jamieson said she would not.
Long-serving netball coach Lois Muir and University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof David Skegg declined to comment until after June 30.
Many of the others with Otago connections could not be contacted this week.
Mr Edgar, who was honoured in 2003 for his services to business, education and sport, said his decision to accept a title was influenced by support from friends.
More than 80 people had emailed, telephoned or sent text messages in the two days following Mr Key's announcement, he said.
"Everyone said they hoped I would accept, and the family agreed.
Not one person had a negative view and that made it easier to decide."
Asked if it would be difficult getting used to being addressed as Sir Eion, Mr Edgar said it would not.
"Most people will probably continue to call me Eion."
Mrs Harrison, who was made a distinguished companion in 2001 for services to education and the community, said accepting a title was a "natural progression".
"I accepted the honour then, and this follows on . . .
"I will accept a title with a great deal of humility and pride."
Dr Jamieson, who now lives in Lower Hutt, made international headlines when she was installed in 1990 as the first woman bishop in the world to lead an Anglican diocese.
She was made a distinguished companion in 2004 for her services to the community.
She said deciding not to become a dame had been "a very straightforward decision".
"It doesn't seem the right thing for me.
"Time has passed. The time [for a title] was five years ago."
National figures eligible to use a title include include Colin Meads, Peter Snell, Stephen Tindall, Dr Claudia Orange, Dr Ranganui Walker and Jenny Shipley.
Most have not yet indicated their preference, although NZPA reported last month Snell was likely to accept, and Dr Walker had declined.
By this week, 46 people had decided they would use a title and seven had indicated they would not, David Baguley, director of the honours secretariat within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, told the Otago Daily Times.
Recipients' decisions would not be announced formally until after June 30, he said.
