She was going to be made a dame in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Her Majesty's approval of the award took effect on April 12, a day before the outstanding athlete died, aged 89.
The honours were announced this morning and among the knights is playwright Roger Hall, who lived in Dunedin for 16 years during his writing.
Also being made a dame is Fran Walsh, of Wellington. She has won Baftas and Oscars for her music, film producing and scriptwriting. She is the partner of Sir Peter Jackson.
Other well-known New Zealanders receiving honours include racing driver Scott Dixon, actor Robyn Malcolm, comedian and campaigner Mike King, netball figure Yvonne Willering and cricket commentator Bryan Waddle.
Dame Yvette's brother Roy Williams said the family felt pride but also a tinge of regret Dame Yvette did not get the honour sooner.
"We are all very thrilled to see that finally Yvette was given the ultimate royal honour of a dame," Mr Williams said.
"It is very sad that she won't be here to receive the royal honour but she knew she was going to get it.
"She was very pleased but she always understated herself. She used to say `I don't want to be going around being called Dame'."
Dame Yvette (nee Yvette Williams) leaped her way into the hearts of New Zealanders with her effort to win gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
Her winning long jump of 6.24m was just 1cm short of the world record at the time, and she became the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
Dame Yvette, who was born in Dunedin and educated at Otago Girls' High School, broke the world record two years later with a jump of 6.28m in Gisborne.
Later that year she travelled to the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Canada, where she won gold in the long jump, discus and shot put, setting Games records in all three events. She also finished sixth in the 80m hurdles.
It was an extraordinary career and one that ended early. She retired in November, 1954 and married Buddy Corlett in December. They had four children.
Dame Yvette was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1953 for services to women's athletics, and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to athletics in the 2011 New Year Honours.
That latter award was forthcoming only after Mr Williams campaigned the honours committee. The likes of Sir Peter Snell, Sir Murray Halberg and Sir John Walker added their support, as did New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame chief executive Ron Palenski, of Dunedin.
Mr Palenski told the Otago Daily Times the damehood was a lovely gesture "but it is, sadly, too late for Yvette to appreciate".
"As far as I'm concerned, she is one of New Zealand's greatest athletes."
Roger Leighton Hall receives his knighthood for services to theatre.
Sir Roger, who lives in Auckland and has just turned 80, earned a special place in Dunedin's hearts after moving here for the Robert Burns Fellowship in 1977. He did not leave for 16 years.
His latest play, Last Legs, was performed at the Fortune Theatre in 2017 as part of the theatre's celebration of 40 years' involvement with the prolific playwright, whose plays regularly sold out at the now closed theatre.
Sir Roger is on a cruise holiday and could not be contacted. Through his agent, Playmarket, he said he was thrilled New Zealand theatre had been recognised in this way.
"It's come a long way since the mid-'70s when I wrote my first play. A huge number of New Zealanders are involved in theatre at all sorts of levels - it plays a big part in our lives."
Most recently he was founder and co-organiser of the inaugural New Zealand Theatre Month, launched last year, and he has served on many boards, including those of the Fortune Theatre and the Frank Sargeson Trust, and on the New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee. He was governor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand from 2002 to 2010.
Famous for his popular plays such as Glide Time, Middle Age Spread and Four Flat Whites in Italy, which have been performed around New Zealand and the world, he has also written for television and radio, and books for children.
It is Sir Roger's third honour for services to theatre, following the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 and the Queen's Service Order in 1987.
Also becoming a dame is Dr Susan Bagshaw, of Christchurch, for services to youth health. She is a senior lecturer in paediatrics at the University of Otago in Christchurch, and a contract educator and trustee for the Collaborative for Research and Training in Youth Health and Development, which she founded.
Areta Koopu, of Auckland, becomes a dame for services to Maori and the community, and Frances Rosemary (Fran) Walsh earns the title for services to film.
Also becoming knights are Paul Hunter Adams, Tauranga, for services to philanthropy and the community, and Graham Michael Lowe, of Silverdale, Auckland, for services to youth and youth education.
