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The life of Sir Edmund Hillary will be commemorated by a new Hillary Shield for rugby games between the All Blacks and the English - a decision to mark his links with Britain and his lesser-known affection for the game.
Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday announced the Hillary
Shield and other ways of honouring Sir Ed.
Also there to share the moment were his widow, Lady June Hillary, his climbing friend Jim Wilson, Sir Wilson Whineray, NZRFU chairman Jock Hobbs and All Black Keven Mealamu.
The Government has also increased the amount it gives to his Himalayan Trust by $60,000 - up to $350,000 a year. The trust was set up by Sir Edmund in 1965 for work in Nepal, such as building hospitals and schools.
The English and All Blacks will first contest the Hillary Shield in the next test match at Twickenham on November 29. Lady June is expected to attend for the unveiling of the shield and the match.
Helen Clark said the wishes of Sir Edmund's family were paramount in the ways chosen to commemorate his life.
Although Sir Edmund did not play rugby, Lady June said he would have been "chuffed" at the shield as he was a longstanding fan of the game and of the All Blacks.
Mr Hobbs said the shield would add "a sense of history" to test matches between the two countries.
"I hope Sir Edmund is looking down on this announcement today and is happy with it. Lady Hillary said she thought he would be chuffed, and I can assure you we are too."
The shield also has a tick of approval from the English team - the NZRFU said England team manager Martin Johnston had commented it was an honour to compete for a shield named after such a respected figure.
Sir Edmund, 88, died on January 11 and the Government has since been working on ways to honour his life with his family, friends and outdoor recreation organisations.
Helen Clark - who has a close relationship with the Hillary family - denied she had timed the announcement to happen during the election campaign and said she had not attended as part of her official campaign schedule.
"We are drawing a very clear distinction between this and campaign activity." She said the rugby union was keen to make the announcement before the All Blacks left for Europe.
Soon after Sir Ed's death, there were calls for grand gestures such as creating a new public holiday in his name or naming a mountain after him.
But Helen Clark said at the time that he was dismissive of formal memorials and would prefer something that ensured his charitable work and outdoor recreation legacy lived on.
A recreation council bearing Sir Ed's name will also be established within Government funding agency Sparc to focus on outdoor recreation for youth.
His name would also be added to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, known as the Young New Zealanders' Challenge.
Helen Clark said Sir Ed had strong links to Britain - his Mt Everest climb in 1953 was as part of a British expedition. He was also a Knight of the Royal Garter - an honour the Queen bestows on only 24 living humans.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, announced last month, provides for an Indian or Nepali to visit NZ each year.
