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Giant screens in Auckland Domain will be used to broadcast Sir Edmund Hillary's funeral under a secret plan being finalised.
Formal details of the funeral are due to be announced by the Prime Minister's office over the next few days, ahead of the service on Tuesday next week.
But One News reported last night that screens in the Domain would be erected to allow crowds to congregate away from the service at St Mary's church in Parnell.
"The area around the cathedral gets very congested very quickly, so police are working with organisers, city council and the museum to erect big screens here in the Domain, hoping this is where people will congregate.
"It is also to their advantage because this is where the funeral procession will pass through after the service, so people will be able to pay their last respects personally to the procession," the report said.
It is understood Wellington Town Hall and Cathedral Square in Christchurch will also have screens.
Officials from Internal Affairs yesterday met the Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Very Rev Ross Bay, who will lead the service.
The Rev Peter Beck, Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, has said he will take a prominent part in the service at Lady June's request, including the farewell at the crematorium.
Representatives from Television New Zealand, which will broadcast the service live, as well as police, were at the meeting.
Formal details of the funeral are expected to be released by the end of the week but some arrangements are already known.
Sir Ed's casket will lie in state at the cathedral on Monday for 24 hours, giving people the opportunity to pay their respects.
Defence Force pallbearers are expected to escort Sir Ed's coffin the short distance to St Mary's where the funeral will take place.
Prime Minister Helen Clark will be among the speakers at the funeral, with family members and friends.
Pipers will play as Sir Ed's coffin leaves the church and a kapa haka group will perform.
Radio New Zealand will broadcast the service live from 10.30am and stream it on its website.
