PM offers Hillarys and museum mediation

Prime Minister John Key said it would be "very sad" if Sir Edmund Hillary's family and the Auckland War Memorial Museum end up in court and says his office will mediate if necessary.

Sir Ed's children are taking a case to the High Court amid a deteriorating relationship with the museum, to which Sir Ed left his diaries, writings, and family photographs.

He bequeathed his personal papers with the proviso that his children would have access to the material as they saw fit.

A clause in his will stated further "that no other person, or corporate body may publish any of the material" without the consent of the Hillary children for 20 years after his death.

It is this clause and the museum's claim to intellectual rights that is due for scrutiny in court. Sarah and Peter Hillary are bringing an action against the executors of their father's estate in the High Court at Auckland next month.

Mr Key told reporters his office was happy to help with mediation.

"Sir Ed was a much loved New Zealander. . .if it's possible for a resolution to be found prior to that (court) process it would be good.

"In the end if the parties want to go to court I can't stop them."

Museum director Vanda Vitali said it was "very, very" important to respect the intention of Sir Ed's will and a legal ruling on the future use of his memorabilia would be respected.

Sir Ed's son Peter Hillary spoke today of a "clear breakdown" in the family's relationship with Ms Vitali.

He said he and his sister Sarah had not been consulted on the museum's plans for the material.

"Even more disturbing" was the museum's intention to claim intellectual property rights over it, he said.

Ms Vitali said it was the job of the courts to decide the issue of intellectual property.

- NZPA