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The garter banner of Sir Edmund Hillary has been presented to the Auckland church where his state funeral was held.
The Hillary family presented the banner to the dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ross Bay, at a private ceremony in neighbouring St Mary's yesterday.
The church was open to the public following the ceremony so they could view the banner, which is the shield design of Sir Edmund's coat of arms bled out into a square.
Dean Bay said it was an honour that the family chose to hang the banner at the church and meant visitors could reflect on Sir Edmund's achievements.
Sir Edmund was made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in 1995 and the banner was placed above his stall in St George's Chapel, Windsor. It was returned by the Dean of Windsor to the Hillary family after the service of thanksgiving in the chapel attended by the Queen in April.
