July 2021

Obituary - Nga mate

Helen Campbell.

1948 – 2021

Helen came to St Arnaud, from Wakefield, in 2001 when her husband transferred to DOC at St Arnaud.

Helen was married to Eric MacDonald who worked for DOC from 1989 until his death in 2005. Eric died just before the house they were building in Tophouse Road was completed. Helen finished this house and lived there until she moved to Wellington in early February 2021 because of her failing health.

Helen was associated with DOC for 30 years and with the Friends of Rotoiti for 20.

Helen will mostly be remembered within the conservation movement for her tireless work and advocacy through Forest and Bird Nelson Branch, Friends of Nelson Haven, Wakefield Bush Restoration Trust, (Faulkner’s Bush), her contributions to the St Arnaud community, and many coastal and environmental issues within the Tasman District.

Helen was a TDC councillor, a staunch environmental watch dog, an exceptional conservation advocate, an avid local historian and has rightly been called a wahine toa. Her friends and co-workers within the Friends of Rotoiti and many other environmental agencies will greatly miss her.

He kokonga whare e kitea, he kokonga ngakaue kore e kitea.

The corners of the house may be seen but not the corners of the heart.