On the summit of Everest, I had a feeling of great satisfaction to be first there.

I have no desire to live anywhere else but New Zealand. I've had the good fortune to travel widely around the world, but New Zealand is home - and I like to be here. I'm proud to be a New Zealander.

I have been seriously afraid at times but have used my fear as a stimulating factor rather than allowing it to paralyse me. My abilities have not been outstanding, but I have had sufficient strength and determination to meet my challenges and have usually managed to succeed with them.

I'm definitely a Queen supporter. She was great.

I still had the same affection for New Zealand as I've always had. Didn't change at all.

In those days we were punished very frequently and I felt that it was often unjust, and so I would resist the desire to agree with many, many things. So I used to get beaten quite frequently and I more or less accepted it as part of life.

Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.