I feel very sad today learning of the death of Sir Edmund Hillary.  Adjectives like ‘hero’ and ‘greatness’ can get overused at the time of someone’s passing, but to me Sir Ed deserves these accolades and more.

Not only did he have a remarkable record as a mountaineer, explorer and adventurer, he was also a true humanitarian, an internationalist, with a generous heart and spirit.  No matter his modesty and down to earth style- he was truly a colussus.

As New Zealanders we can and should be proud of someone who stood atop the world, both literally and figuratively. 

His wish, the International Herald Tribune tells us was to have his ashes spread on the Waitemata Harbour

“To be washed gently ashore, maybe on the many pleasant beaches near the place I was born. Then the full circle of my life will be complete

Go in peace Sir Ed.