Franklin Remembers Sir Edmund

The people of Franklin District, where Sir Edmund Hillary spent many of his younger years, will have the opportunity to sign a condolence book in remembrance of his life. From Tuesday 15th January until the state funeral, a book with be available at:


Pukekohe Council Office, 82 Manukau Rd, 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and;
Tuakau Library, 72 George St, 9.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am – 12.30pm Saturday.


Sir Edmund Hillary moved to Tuakau with his family as a very young child and the original homestead still stands in Tuakau. He attended Tuakau Primary School before making the daily commute to Auckland Grammar, travelling there by train every day. As a young man he joined his father and brother in their local beekeeping business.


A 50-year celebration of Sir Edmund’s ascent of Mount Everest was held at Tuakau Primary School in 2003 and was attended by Sir Edmund. The local community recreated the east face of Mount Everest in rocks in the school grounds. Sir Edmund had no difficulty in recognising the feature, which is still in the Tuakau Primary School grounds today.


Franklin has always remembered Sir Edmund as a favourite son and last year named a room in the new community facility, Franklin: The Centre, after him.


“Many Franklin residents will have known Sir Edmund and his family, or have memories of the visits he made back to Franklin. Having these condolence books available gives the community an opportunity to pay tribute to him and record all those moments where he touched their lives,” says Franklin District Councillor, Dennis Robertson.


The books will be given to the family after the funeral.