Police Urge Public To View Funeral At Domain

New Zealand Police National News Release 3:25pm 19 January 2008

Police are urging the public to go to the Auckland City domain to view Tuesday's State funeral service for the late Sir Edmund Hillary.

Operations Manager Inspector Derek Davison says there will be a large video wall on the sector of grassed area near the gun emplacement and below the Cenotaph.

"Those who attend at this location will have a clear and unobstructed view of the entire funeral service proceedings in St Mary's Church."

"Immediately after the service the funeral cortege will pass solemnly and slowly through the domain. Thousands of people are expected to line this sector of the journey and take advantage of the excellent space available."

"This will enable them to be in close proximity to the motorcade procession."

"Everyone will be able to pay their respects in their own personal manner."

"The service commences at St Mary's Church in Parnell at 11.00am. The full ceremony is expected to take one and half hours. The motorcade will then proceed at about 15kmph via the following route."

• St Stephens Avenue• Parnell Road• Maunsell Road • Cenotaph Road• The Crescent • Domain Drive • Park Road• Kyber Pass Road• Broadway• Remuera Road• St Johns Road

"Road closures/controls will exist over the 10 kilometre motorcade route."

"Police will be carrying out point duty at every major intersection. A number of streets in the vicinity of St Mary's Church and Holy Trinity Cathedral will have temporary closures or detours in place."

"Anyone who wishes to attend at Holy Trinity Cathedral where there will be only very limited space for the public, is urged to get there in plenty of time."

"We recommend to all those wishing to use their vehicles that they park some distance away and then walk to their chosen venue."

"Public transport should be considered. It is the ideal alternative option."

"There will be no public access on the Cathedral grounds and neither will there be a video wall at the Cathedral."

"While the cortege journeys to its final destination police patrols will stop or divert all vehicles travelling in the opposite direction to the motorcade."

"Anyone intending to carry out overtaking manoeuvres will be stopped."

"Our presence has two strands. These are;

• To enable those who wish to view the cortege and to pay their personal respects to do so in the true solemnity of the occasion.

• To enable those who wish to achieve access to a chosen or preferred viewing location to do so with a degree of ease," Inspector Davison said.

Police offer further advice to those persons who intend to be at the Domain or other inner city location.

• Plan your journey in advance• Know exactly where you want to go • Take your time and don't be in a hurry• Be considerate of others and their needs - especially the disabled• When leaving after the service - everyone will require some patience

ENDS

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