Media Release
Wednesday, April 9
Thousands Climbing Local Summits For Sir Ed
The Summits for Ed tribute tour begins its final stages this week and organisers are predicting 8000 to 10,000 climbers
will have participated by the time the tour ends at Cape Reinga on April 19.
OPC Hillary Centres chief executive Grant Davidson said the numbers have gradually increased as the tour progressed
through the South Island and lower North Island.
In spite of rain on the West Coast, Nelson, Blenheim and Wellington, good numbers of people have still turned up to do
the walk to the top of their local summits. The youngest has been a few months old and at the other end of the scale
sprightly walkers in their 80s have joined the tribute tour.
Instead of flowers people are contributing stones or pebbles from their favourite place such as a stream, beach or a
garden. These are being gathered up by members of Lions Clubs who are assisting the tour, and along with stones from
students and schools they will form part of the memorial cairn for Sir Ed at the OPC Hillary Centre at Tongariro near Mt
Ruapehu.
Families, businesses or organisations wanting their names permanently recorded can make a $150 donation for an engraved
rock. Rocks donated by schools will be placed at the memorial at no charge.
Money raised will go to the Hillary Foundation to fund at risk teenagers or enable financially disadvantaged young
people to attend an OPC Hillary Centre course.
Sixteen-year-old Ed Hillary had a life changing experience while on a school visit to Mt Ruapehu that began his love of
the outdoors and mountain climbing and led to his extraordinary life of exploration and community service.
A four year old in Bluff collected a stone that became a favourite toy two years ago and he agreed to add it to the
growing collection. The Mayor of Queenstown Clive Geddes produced a flat stone from a place where he and Sir Ed had
spent time skimming stones across the water many years ago.
In Palmerston North another youngster handed over a rock that had been picked up at Antarctica, while during the Taupo
summit climb the stone memorial gift to Sir Ed came from the beaches of Gallipoli. Summits for Ed is sponsored by
Genesis Energy, Toyota NZ, SPARC and Lions Clubs of New Zealand.
For further information Contact
OPC Hillary Centres chief executive Grant Davidson Tel 027 474 3471
OPC Hillary Centres chairman Grant McKenzie Tel 021 702 021
Summits for Ed climb leader Darren Ashmore Tel 0275 301 226
Released by Iain Morrison Tel 021 688 668
The remaining local summits still to climb with confirmations of interesting attendees where possible:
SUMMITS FOR ED TRIBUTE TOUR: CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND SCHEDULE
10 April Whakatane/Opotiki - Toi's Pa lookout
8:00 am Meeting point - Whakatane Visitors Centre (on The Strand), walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending Graham Hanlon - Deputy Mayor of Whakatane, Neil Jones - Adventure racer, plus schools, councillors
and walking groups
10 April Mt Maunganui/Tauranga - Mt Maunganui
4:30 pm Meeting point: corner Marine Parade & Adams Ave (on beach front), summit walk 60mins
Confirmed attending Paraolympian Fiona Southern, Mr G" aerosol artist Sir Ed painting with work selling on TradeMe with
bids of over $3k plus schools, councillors and walking groups
11 April Rotorua - Mt Ngongataha
8:00 am Meeting point: carpark before locked gate, Mountain Rd (nr cafe), summit walk 45mins
Confirmed Attending Mayor Kevin Winters Darryl Shelford (Rugby - NZ Sports Academy), Bishop Kingi (80 odd years old) and
Mitai Rolleston (in his 70s) - kaumatua of Ngati Whakaue. They also said that they are quite capable of walking to the
summit trig. Schools, councillors and walking groups
11 April Tokoroa/Putaruru/Cambridge/Hamilton - Maungatautari
4:30 pm Meeting point: end of Hicks Rd (opp. Maungatautari School), walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending local councillors, schools, walking groups
14 April Ngaruawahia/Hamilton/Huntly - Mt Hakarimata
8:00 am Meeting point - end of Parker Rd (off Hakarimata Rd), walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending Mayor of Hamilton Bob Simock. Walking groups, tramping clubs, schools and families
14 April Thames/Paeroa - The Lookout (Waiotahi Track)
4:30 pm Meeting point - end of Waiotahi Rd (Thames), walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending schools walking groups, local councillors
SUMMITS FOR ED TRIBUTE TOUR: AUCKLAND / NORTHLAND SCHEDULE
12 April South Auckland - Mangere Mountain
8:00 am Meeting point: end of road into Mangere Mt Domain, nr clubrooms, summit walk 30mins
Confirmed attending schools, community groups and councillors
12 April East/central Auckland - One Tree Hill
4:30 pm Meeting point: large carpark nr Archery clubrooms on Kenneth Myers Drive, summit walk 30mins
Confirmed attending Nepalese community at least one in national costume. Councillors, schools and community groups.
13 April North Shore Auckland - North Head
8:00 am Meeting point: Cheltenham beach, end of Cheltenham Rd, walk time to summit 30mins
Confirmed attending Mayor Andrew Williams, schools, councillors, families groups
13 April West Auckland - Pukematekeo (Waitakere Ranges). Meeting point: carpark near rangers station on
4.30pm Fall Rd (through golf course), off Te Henga Rd. Walk time to summit 45mins.
Confirmed attending Schools, councillors, walking groups
16 April Warkworth - The Dome (Dome Valley - off S.H 1)
8:00 am Meeting point: Dome tearooms carpark on S.H 1, walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending Graham Dingle who started outdoor pursuits centre in close association with Sir Ed. Schools,
councillors and community groups.
16 April Whangarei - Parihaka (from Mair Park)
4:30 pm Meeting point: Mair Park (Banff Rd entrance), walk time to summit 60mins
Confirmed attending schools, walking groups, clubs.
17 April Kaikohe - Te Ahuahu
8:00 am Meeting point: 26 Hariru Rd (off S.H. 1 at Te Ahuahu) please park in field as directed, walk to summit
30mins
Confirmed attending Nathan Faavae adventure athlete. Laurie Buyers Olympic and commonwealth cyclist, Joe Carr regiona
councillors, walking groups, families.
17 April Russell - Flagstaff Hill (Russell)
4:30 pm Meeting point - reserve at the north end of The Strand, Russell. Walking time to summit 30mins
18 April Kerikeri - Ake Ake point GR: 062 669
8am Meeting point: Opito Bay (at the end of Opito Bay Rd, off Redcliffs Rd), walk time to summit 20mins
19 April Cape Reinga - Lighthouse
4:30 pm Meeting point - Cape Reinga carpark, walk time to summit 30mins
Confirmed attending Lady Hillary grandson Sam Mulgrew. Local iwi, schools and community groups
Ends