Public votes in favour of Hillary Ridge

Aoraki Mt Cook. Photo / Doug Sherring

The public has narrowly voted in favour of renaming the South Ridge of Aoraki/Mt Cook after legendary New Zealand mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary.

The New Zealand Geographic Board's suggestion that the ridge be renamed in honour of Sir Ed prompted 116 submissions - 56 in favour and 53 against with seven neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Submissions closed this week and board secretary Wendy Shaw, said staff would analyse the submissions before the board's next meeting in several months, the Timaru Herald reported today.

Last year retired mountaineer John Carruthers suggested the board rename geographic features in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park in honour of Sir Ed.

He said the ridge should be called Hillary Ridge. Sir Ed was a member of the first party to climb the ridge in 1948.

Earlier this year when the South Ridge proposal was announced board chairman Don Grant said it had received several proposals for renaming alpine mountain features in honour of Sir Ed but the South Ridge proposal was the most appropriate.

He said interest in naming a feature after Sir Ed had been high, and it was important people had their say over the proposed Hillary Ridge.

- NZPA