01-11-2008, 02:09 PM
SOURCE: TVNZ.co.nz
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The great adventurer Sir Edmund Hillary has died at the age of 88.
Sir Ed's health had been in decline since April, after he suffered a fall while in Nepal.
Sir Ed was the first man to climb Everest with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
They never repeated the feat and in an interview with Reuters in early 2007, Sir Ed said the pair had discussed the possibility of climbing Everest again, but he felt there was little virtue in climbing it many times.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said that his passing was a profound loss for New Zealand.
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," Clark said.
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity," she added.
Clark described Sir Ed as the "best-known New Zealander" to ever have lived but said that mostly he was a "quintessential Kiwi".
"He was ours - from his craggy appearance to laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing," Clark said.
After Everest, Hillary led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and the Himalayas, and devoted his time to helping Nepal's Sherpa people who live in the shadow of Everest.
Sir Ed established the Himalayan Trust in the early 1960s and worked tirelessly throughout his life to raise funds and build schools and hospitals in the mountains.
The Trust raised about $318,000 a year and he personally helped build schools, hospitals, bridges, pipelines and even an airfield.
"The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already," said Clark.
"Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear," Clark said.
"His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute, from our small developed nation helping another less privileged one," she added.
The Prime Minister is currently in transit, returning from the UK where she met with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
However, Acting Prime Minister, Michael Cullen, confirmed that Sir Ed had been unwell for some time.
"Sir Ed felt the end was approaching for him. The Prime Minister had maintained close contact with Lady Hillary over this period of time," Cullen said.
He added that on her return, the Prime Minister would discuss Sir Ed's funeral arrangements with his wife.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand flag has been lowered at Scott Base to mark Sir Ed's death.
New Zealand's senior representative there, Dean Peterson, says it is a very sad day.
Sir Ed's health had been in decline since April, after he suffered a fall while in Nepal.
Sir Ed was the first man to climb Everest with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
They never repeated the feat and in an interview with Reuters in early 2007, Sir Ed said the pair had discussed the possibility of climbing Everest again, but he felt there was little virtue in climbing it many times.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said that his passing was a profound loss for New Zealand.
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," Clark said.
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity," she added.
Clark described Sir Ed as the "best-known New Zealander" to ever have lived but said that mostly he was a "quintessential Kiwi".
"He was ours - from his craggy appearance to laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing," Clark said.
After Everest, Hillary led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and the Himalayas, and devoted his time to helping Nepal's Sherpa people who live in the shadow of Everest.
Sir Ed established the Himalayan Trust in the early 1960s and worked tirelessly throughout his life to raise funds and build schools and hospitals in the mountains.
The Trust raised about $318,000 a year and he personally helped build schools, hospitals, bridges, pipelines and even an airfield.
"The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already," said Clark.
"Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear," Clark said.
"His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute, from our small developed nation helping another less privileged one," she added.
The Prime Minister is currently in transit, returning from the UK where she met with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
However, Acting Prime Minister, Michael Cullen, confirmed that Sir Ed had been unwell for some time.
"Sir Ed felt the end was approaching for him. The Prime Minister had maintained close contact with Lady Hillary over this period of time," Cullen said.
He added that on her return, the Prime Minister would discuss Sir Ed's funeral arrangements with his wife.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand flag has been lowered at Scott Base to mark Sir Ed's death.
New Zealand's senior representative there, Dean Peterson, says it is a very sad day.
