Urgent talks are underway to bring forward the ceremony bestowing a knighthood on terminally ill lawyer Sir Peter Williams QC.

His friends and family are talking to officials to bring forward his investiture which is planned for the 6th of May due to concerns about his deteriorating health.

A spokeswoman for Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae says they don't know when it will be but are in talks with Sir Peter's family.

She says it's very rare to move ceremonies forward but they recently did so for Sir Don Rowlands in Auckland.