60 years since Hillary conquered Everest

This week marks 60 years since two men, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, became the first people to conquer the world’s highest mountain – Mount Everest.

In 1953, climbing Everest was seen as a death-defying feat and the pair became worldwide celebrities.

This year’s diamond anniversary of that first ascent is especially important following the death of the last surviving direct member of the 1953 expedition – Hillary’s lifelong friend, Lowe – earlier in the year.

Since that first climb in 1953, over 3,000 people have climbed the mountain since then.

Mount Everest in the Himalayas is nearly 9,000 metres high.

Mighty River Shares cost $2.50

Created on May 8, 2013

The Government has announced that Mighty River Power shares will cost $2.50 each.

Yesterday Finance  Minister Bill English and State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall announced the price.

The sale sale of the State Owned Asset achieved 86.5 percent New Zealand ownership, Mr English said. This included a total of 113,000 individual owners.

The sale of the power company earned the Government $1.7 billion and New Zealand retail investors were allocated $943m worth of shares.

New Zealand will retain a 51 per cent stake in Mighty River and Prime Minister John Key has said he is confident the company will be 85 to 90 per cent owned by New Zealand entities.

Mighty River, the first company to partially sold under the Government’s flagship “mixed ownership model” policy.

The company will list on the NZX on Friday
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Rapper Will.i.am donates to New Zealand schools

Created on May 9, 2013

Hip-hop star will.i.am has donated $100,000 to a few low decile schools in Auckland.

The US singer, songwriter and producer who was a member of Black Eyed Peas has been in Auckland to do a concert.

He hopes that the money he has donated will be able to provide information technology to students.

The star made a surprise appearance at Point England Primary School in east Auckland this afternoon where he presented a $100,000 cheque to digital literacy charity the Manaiakalani Education Trust.

The children were extremely excited to see the star in person.

At this stage it is thought that the money would go towards the trust’s programmes of providing netbooks to students and their families, building its own wireless network for students, and supporting e-learning for teachers and parents.

Georgie Pie returning to New Zealand

Created on May 9, 2013

The restaurant chain Georgie Pie is set to return to New Zealand.

Georgia Pie is currently owned by McDonalds and will announce later today about where and when the product will be available.

Georgie Pie closed in 1999 and was famous for its $1 pies.

Nostalgic customers set up a “Bring Back Georgie Pie” Facebook page which has more than 54,000 members.

It was possible that Georgie Pie products could be sold in McDonald’s stores.