A nation mourns it's hero

Today is the state funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary. There has been wall to wall media coverage since he died last week. An icon of New Zealand, a national hero, has brought 10's of thousands to walk past his coffin in Auckland before the state funeral today.


One of the greatest known explorers has had a huge impact on NZ. He put NZ on the map and has since climbing Everest been known not just as a mountaineer but a philanthropist and father figure to the country.


The Royal Family have taken a beating though after it was announced that noone would be flying over for the state funeral. Even an obscure minor royal would have been seen as giving Sir Ed the recognition he deserved. Instead he's got the Governor General and our PM to be a poor exuse for royal representation. The NZ republicans are loving it.