New Zealanders bid farewell to national hero Hillary

Across New Zealand, flags fluttered at half-mast.

The national anthem, God Defend New Zealand was sung before the blessing.

In her tribute to Hillary, Prime Minister Helen Clark said "we mourn as a nation."

"Sir Edmund Hillary's extraordinary life has been an inspiration to us as a nation, and to so many beyond our shores too," Clark said, adding "as individuals we may not be able to match his abilities or strength, but surely we can all strive to match his humanity."

Hillary's son Peter Hillary, in his tribute, said, "I think Dad was a real people's hero. He was real, he was the genuine article."

Peter and his children spoke of continuing Hillary's work in Nepal, saying it was a great opportunity to "keep the commitment and the love alive."

Sir Edmund Hillary. (File Photo)

A violinist with the New Zealand String Quartet, then played a piece by Sebastian Bach.

Norbu Tenzing Norgay, elder son of Sherpa Tenzig Norgay, who climbed Mount Qomolangma with Hillary, said he would be dearly missed. While he felt there could not have been two better people to have conquered Mount Qomolangma, their work for the Sherpas after that great day had left as big a mark.

Heavy rain began to fall toward the end of the service, while inside the church, one of Hillary's favorite singers, opera tenor Ben Makisi, sung Where E'er You Walk, by Handel.

The casket was carried from the church as a piper played "Abide With Me."

On the way, Hillary, carried by members of all three armed forces, passed under the New Zealand Alpine Club guard of honor, with long-handled ice axes held aloft.

The casket was placed in the hearse as a special haka -- the Lofty Mountain -- was performed by students from Sir Edmund Hillary College in South Auckland.

Classical music played as the hearse was driven away in light rain to a private cremation.

Foreign dignitaries at the ceremony include ministers from the governments of Britain, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Nepal, India, Russia, the United States and Tonga.

The Queen was represented by the Governor-General of New Zealand Anand Satyanand. As well, 26 ambassadors and high commissioners to New Zealand also attended the state funeral.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei