Sir Edmund Hillary's family have accepted an offer by the New Zealand government to hold a state funeral for the legendary adventurer.
TVNZ's Close Up reporter Mark Sainsbury, a close friend of Sir
Ed, returned to Auckland from Wellington on Friday afternoon and
immediately went to the family home in Remuera.
In a statement he said the family have accepted the offer of a
State funeral.
"The family are honoured to accept the government's offer of a
state funeral, recognising the impact he had on all New
Zealanders," Sainsbury said.
The place and date of the funeral have not yet been confirmed.
Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is flying back from the UK is
expected to meet with Sir Ed's family when she arrives back in the
country to discuss the details of the funeral.
In a statement Clark described Sir Ed as the "best-known New
Zealander" to ever have lived but said that mostly he was a
"quintessential Kiwi".
His family have not yet spoken direct to the public, but
through spokespeople say the funeral arrangements will be made over
the weekend.
The New Zealand flag has been lowered to half mast at Scott Base in
Antarctica, where there will be a special service for him on
Sunday.
The NZ flag will also be flown at half mast on all government
and public buildings until midnight Saturday to mark Sir Ed's death
and will be flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral.
