PRESS RELEASES

National Business Review : 22 January 2007

New institute to honour Hillary

Jan Cameron is to provide initial financial backing of $NZ2.5 million to set up an institute in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary.

The Hillary Institute will aim to foster leadership worldwide through a new international award of $1 million to be awarded to a person who displays great leadership in their chosen field.

The award will be made every four years and will be titled 'The Hillary Step' after the difficult section of Mount Everest just below the summit.

Early in 2006, Ms Cameron became the richest woman in New Zealand when she sold her outdoor clothing and equipment company to Private Equity Funds for $275 million.

Ms Cameron is in Antarctica with both Sir Edmund Hillary and Prime Minister Helen Clark for the 50th anniversary commemoration of Scott Base. She is encouraging other New Zealanders to contribute to the institute, which is looking to raise $15 million.

Helen Clark will be the patron of the new institute.