Sunday marks the first anniversary of the death of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to conquer Mt Everest.
Sir Edmund died after suffering a heart attack in Auckland City Hospital on 11 January 2008. He was 88 and had been ill for some time.
He gained worldwide fame as the first person, along with climbing companion Tenzing Norgay, to scale the world's highest peak on 29 May 1953.
The ascent of Everest was just the beginning of a life of adventure and service for Sir Edmund: searching for the Yeti in the Himalayas, riding jetboats in an expedition to find the source of the Ganges River and making the first overland trip to the South Pole on modified tractors.
However, the former beekeeper's greatest project was his Himalayan Trust, set up in the 1960s.
Sir Edmund felt a deep sense of obligation to the Sherpa people of Nepal, and from 1966 made numerous visits to the Himalayas to build and advise on schools, hospitals, air strips and bridges.
His work continues through organisations such as the Hillary Institute and the Himalayan Trust.
Family plans quiet day at beach
The Hillary family said they would spend the day at a beach Sir Edmund had great affection for west of Auckland.
Peter Hillary said his family spent many weekends and summers going to the beach and it is the perfect place to remember his father.
Mr Hillary said it will not be a time of mourning but a celebration of a life well-lived, as Sir Edmund had "one of the best lives anyone had ever had."
Mr Hillary said his sister, Sarah, would be spending time with her family.
The anniversary of Sir Edmund's death was marked during a service at Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral where his state funeral was held.
The Very Reverend Ross Bay says it was a chance to quietly remember and reflect on the essence of Sir Edmund as a man of courage, integrity and humility.
Mr Bay says Sir Edmund's Garter Banner, from St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, is hanging in St Mary's Church in the Cathedral precinct and is a reminder of the explorer's achievements.
Rugby match at Antarctic base
The staff of Scott Base in Antarctica won the inaugural Edmund Hillary Memorial Trophy rugby match 8-nil against the US McMurdo Base on Sunday.
Sir Edmund helped establish the Antarctic facility.
The match, which has been played for decades between the two research facilities, has been renamed in honour of Sir Edmund.
Senior national officer for the New Zealand Defence force at Scott Base Ross Hickey said it was a very close game, but the Scott Base team came out triumphant.
Commander Hickey said the event has been running since the early 1980's, and New Zealand hasn't lost a game yet.
Everest ice axe on display
The ice axe used by Sir Edmund to conquer Mt Everest has been gifted to an Auckland museum by his widow, Lady Hillary, and is on display.
Auckland War Memorial Museum director Vanda Vitali said the axe is an object of national importance and hopes it will inspire young New Zealanders who come to see it.
Ms Vitali said the axe was bought in 1951 and was kept at the Hillary family home until Sir Edmund passed away.
It is included in a one-month exhibition and will then be displayed permanently at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
