Visitors, residents and Hermitage Hotel staff attended the ceremony beside the bronze statue of Sir Edmund, which he unveiled in 2003.
A poem, Burra Sahib, written by high country poet Jim Morris, from Ben Avon Station in the Ahuriri Valley, was read by hotel manager Denis Callesen.
A wreath made of Mackenzie native flora by Department of Conservation staff was laid by Phurenje and Edmund Sherpa.
Phurenje also placed Nepalese scarves and candles on the statue as was the custom in Nepal.
A special tribute played on the planetarium dome in the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, accompanied by a recording of Sir Edmund from August 1953, when he recalled his ascent of Everest.
It was believed to be only the second public playing of the recording.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre was officially opened by Sir Edmund's widow, June, Lady Hillary, last May.
