Hillary-Museum mediation going well - Key

Efforts to mend a rift between the Hillary family and Auckland War Memorial Museum are progressing well, Prime Minister John Key says.

Sir Ed Hillary's children have threatened legal action against the museum in a bid to regain control of his diaries, writings and family photographs.

In his will, Sir Ed bequeathed his personal papers to the museum with the proviso that his children would have access to them as they saw fit.

However, the family said there had been a lack of consultation about the museum's plans for the memorabilia.

The family was concerned by the museum's intention to claim intellectual property rights over the collection.

Mr Key last week revealed his department had offered to mediate between the parties to avert a court battle.

On TV One's Breakfast programme this morning Mr Key said he spoke yesterday to Peter Hillary, Sir Ed's son, and Auckland Museum trust board chairman Dr William Randall.

"(It's) progressing quite nicely I think, both sides have taken a step back and taken a deep breath. My office is working as a mediator and there are parties being appointed on both sides."

He hoped parties would "get around the table" either this or next week.

"I am confident we can get there."

- NZPA