11 January, 2008

Mayor Harvey pays tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary, who died today aged 88 has been described as “the personification of New Zealand” by Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

Mayor Harvey knew Sir Edmund for more than 40 years and worked with him on a number of projects, including television documentaries.

Sir Edmund, who owned a property at Anawhata on Waitakere's West Coast, also features in Mayor Harvey’s 2004 book Westies “Ed was a living legend.

His adventures made him a huge figure in world history, but I was privileged to know him on a more personal level,” says Mayor Harvey.

He was humble, generous and the epitome of that old fashion term “gentleman”.

“Today we have lost a truly great New Zealander.”

Flags on all civic buildings in Waitakere will be flown at half mast as a sign of respect at Sir Edmund’s passing, Mayor Harvey added.

ENDS

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