New Zealand names mountain ridge after Sir Edmund Hillary

The South Ridge of the 12,316ft Mount Cook was renamed as the Hillary Ridge. from August 18. Announcing the change, Maurice Williamson, the Land Information Minister, said:

"Sir Edmund made an enormous contribution to our country and abroad, and it is befitting and appropriate that his contribution is acknowledged in this way."

Altering the name South Ridge to Hillary Ridge will further cement Sir Edmund's place in New Zealand's history."

Sir Edmund and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to ascend Mt Everest when they stood on the summit on May 29, 1953.

However, the announcement of their achievement was delayed until June 2, so it would coincide with the Coronation of the Queen. Five years earlier, Sir Edmund had been among a small party of climbers who were first to use the South Ridge as a route to the peak of Mt Cook. After his death in 2008 aged 88, the government launched a public campaign to find an appropriate geographical tribute to New Zealand's favourite son. But the name change from South Ridge was not without controversy.

The New Zealand Geographic Board's proposal prompted 116 submissions, 56 of which were in favour and 53 against, with seven neutral.

Mt Cook, named after the celebrated 18th-century British explorer, is also known by its Maori name of Aoraki, which translates as "Cloud Piercer".

Popular with climbers and skiers, the mountain dominates the Southern Alps, the chain that forms the backbone of the South Island.

The first European to sight the mountain was Abel Tasman in 1642, and it was recorded again by Cook when he sailed along the west coast in 1770.

The name change became official when it was gazetted on August 18.