DOC worker Paul Hondelink's legacy to continue

Sunday, 28 October 2018

Conservation Minister Eugene Sage has paid tribute to the 'conservation legend' who died in a helicopter crash near Wanaka.

Twizeld-based Department of Conservation (DOC) workers Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald were killed with pilot Nick Wallis last week when their helicopter crashed as they flew off to carry out tahr control work.

Department of Conservation worker Paul Hondelink, 63, was taken on a last flight following a service in Wanaka on Sunday.

At Hondelink's funeral on Sunday in Wanaka, Sage said Hondelink was a 'tall, lanky, gentle giant' who had an adventurous spirit.

'I have known his work for many years. Paul was a conservation legend.'

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Paul Hondelink in 2012, when he was DOC's Wanaka rural fire officer.

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Paul Hondelink felling wilding pines on the western shore of Lake Wanaka in 2004.

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Wanaka Department of Conservation Senior ranger, biodiversity, Paul Hondelink, checks goldfish nets in the Albert Town ponds.

He pioneered new methods of animal control and worked out how to carry out the work on a large scale, she said.

Hondelink would often return from field work with bruised and bleeding hands, and a bruised cheek, from firing a gun out of the open door of a moving helicopter.

Paul (Hondy) Hondelink, 63, was farewelled in Wanaka on Sunday.

'His level of skill…I can only marvel at.'

Jonathan Wallis, the brother of Matt Wallis who was killed during a solo flight three months ago, and of Nick Wallis, said his family were honoured to have known 'Hondy'

'This tragedy has affected so many families … it is simply unfair three good lives have been cut short. We grieve together,' he said.

Wallis said Hondy had some 'bad habits' including lighting up a cigarette in the helicopter.

'My eyes would start weeping and I would say, 'who's smoking?'. He would say: 'Toby says I am allowed to'.'

The four Wallis brothers, now two, were indebted to have learned from him, Wallis said.

'His legacy will continue for a long time to come and we will pass it down to our sons.'

Toby Wallis said DOC had not only lost a wealth of knowledge with Hondy's death, but a great guy.

'Let's keep Hondy's work and passion going as he would have wanted.'

A guard of honour, including members of DOC and fire fighters was formed as Hondelink's coffin was taken to a helicopter where he will be taken to his final destination.

Hondelink worked for DOC since 1987. He came to DOC from the New Zealand Forest Service and started as a programme manager in the Threats team in Wanaka, moving to his most recent role as Senior Ranger, Biodiversity, in August, 2018.

He pioneered Judas goat and tahr control work, using GPS animal collars and was known internationally for his expertise in wild animal control, including planning and delivering huge scale goat, deer, chamois, pig and tahr control, across large catchments in the Southern Alps.

He was an important part of Police search and rescue, FENZ fire response and a pillar of the Wanaka community.

Theobald's funeral service is on Wednesday at Glentanner Holiday Park, Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Nick Wallis, 38, was farewelled at a service at the Wallis airport hanger on Saturday.

He and Matt were the younger of the four Wallis brothers and were both helicopter pilots in the family's aviation and tourism businesses.

The four Wallis brothers took one last helicopter flight together as youngest brother Nick was farewelled.

They departed in a brand new Hughes 500 bearing Nick's initials for its registration — HNW.

Jonathan and Toby were flying, the ashes of Matt were on board and the coffin of Nick was strapped in to the back.