Part of Aoraki / Mt Cook to be named after Sir Ed

  • Breaking
  • 09/08/2011

By 3news.co.nz staff

The south side of Aoraki / Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain, will be named after Sir Edmund Hillary.

Land Information Minister Murray McCully today announced the ridge will be called Hillary Ridge, named after the Kiwi legend whom along with Tenzing Norgay was first in the world to scale Mt Everest, in 1953.

“Sir Edmund made an enormous contribution to our country and abroad and it is befitting and appropriate that his contribution is acknowledged in this way,” says Mr Williamson.

“Altering the name South Ridge to Hillary Ridge will further cement Sir Edmund’s place in New Zealand’s history.”

Sir Ed was one of the first to successfully climb the ridge, in February 1948.

The name will become official on August 18.

3 News

source: newshub archive