Helicopter accident claims lives of Department of Conservation staff

The death of three men in a helicopter crash in Wanaka yesterday has had a huge impact on the community, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage acknowledging their loss.

The three men, Department of Conservation Rangers Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald and pilot Nick Wallis, died instantly when the helicopter in which they were travelling crashed shortly after take off from Wanaka Airport.

Biodiversity Rangers Theobald and Hondelink and Wallis, Director and General Manager of Alpine Helicopters were flying to undertake tahr control in the Haast area when their helicopter crashed.

Prime Minister Ardern stated "my heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those who died in today’s tragic crash.

"DOC staff go to work every day on our behalf to take care of New Zealand’s precious environment. Their work can take them into dangerous situations. It’s an absolute tragedy that these staff and the helicopter pilot, who were just going about their work, will never return home.

"People will want answers. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is investigating, and it is too early to discuss the cause of the crash. We will make sure we get to the bottom of this crash as soon as we can."

DOC Director General Lou Sanson paid an emotional tribute to the three men on RNZ this morning.

He advised "we just lost so much, these are some of the most experienced people in the world.

"It's just a tragedy, we are just absolutely stunned, we don't know what to say."

The trio all played crucial roles in protecting New Zealand's environment and helping native birds.

Minister Sage added “this is a tragedy for their families and DOC staff are also reeling from the loss of these highly skilled, dedicated and experienced professionals.

"Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald were each conservation legends and pioneers in their respective fields . The loss of Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald as individuals and the loss of their conservation knowledge and expertise is deeply felt.

"Paul Hondelink was DOC’s foremost professional chamois and tahr hunter using his expertise to organise large scale aerial control operations to protect our mountain lands. He was a conservation expert with incredible knowledge from his 47 years in DOC and previous agencies. He was highly regarded in the Wanaka community assisting with search and rescue and fire control work.

"Scott Theobald started DOC’s work with conservation dogs and has provided his expertise internationally including to help control mongoose in Japan. Again his loss is hard to quantify it is so great.

"Conservation is important to so many New Zealanders. Every day the dedicated work of DOC staff helps protect our wild places and special forest.

"Nick Wallis’s experience as a pilot is well known. He was also a passionate conservationist and someone DOC valued and enjoyed working with. His loss is deeply felt by the conservation community."

Wallis was the son of Sir Tim Wallis, who founded the Wings over Wanaka event.

His brother and fellow pilot Matt Wallis died nearby in a helicopter crash just three months ago.

Image: DOC Rangers Paul Hondelink Scott Theobald. Pilot Nick Wallis also died in yesterday's helicopter crash.