Key negotiates talks in Hillary papers dispute

Talks have begun between the Auckland Museum Trust Board and Sir Edmund Hillary's children over Sir Ed's papers after an approach from Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Key's office said he had spoken to the two parties, and Government staff were working with them to stop the dispute going to court.

Peter Hillary has said the poor communication between the family and museum director Vanda Vitali had complicated deciding who had full control over his father's writings, diaries and family photographs.

He has expressed his wish for the matter to be resolved out of court.

The museum, on the other hand, believed a court resolution would bring clarity to the publishing rights for the papers.

The argument centres on a clause in Sir Ed's will which said the museum could have the documents with the proviso that his family had access to them, and that Peter and Sarah Hillary retained full publishing rights for 20 years.

Museum spokesman Russell Briggs said both parties would not comment further on the dispute while a resolution was being sought.