Wellington  - Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary topped a recent poll to find the "greatest living New Zealander," despite dying 21 months ago, it was reported on Monday.

Sir Ed - as he was popularly known - was named by 15 per cent of respondents to the Research New Zealand poll, even though he died in January 2008, aged 88.

"It showed how beloved Sir Edmund was," said Research New Zealand director Emanuel Kalafatelis. "To find a new hero to match his legendary status is tough."

The poll was actually topped by Helen Clark, prime minister from 1999-2008, who now heads the United Nations Development Programme in New York, but she was nominated by only 9 per cent of respondents.  dpa