No thanks to Sir

Actor Sam Neill has turned down a knighthood saying the title was “just far too grand”. His views were echoed by other well-known New Zealanders, including Maori activist and author Ranginui Walker, who said there was “a certain snobbishness” attached to knighthoods. “All modesty aside, I find the idea of a title for myself just too grand at this time of my life,” Neill said. Neill stars as last surviving benevolent alien Mr Jones in the film adaptation of Maurice Gee’s acclaimed book Under the Mountain, which screens in cinemas from December 10.