'Back-country gentleman' farewelled in Wanaka

A man described as a "back-country gentleman" was farewelled in Wanaka this afternoon.

Senior Department of Conservation (Doc) ranger Paul Hondelink was the second of the three victims from the tragic October 18 helicopter crash to be farewelled.

Yesterday a funeral was held for Nick Wallis.

• Final flight ends farewell to Nick Wallis

Described as a "good bugger" who preferred to be out in the field than in the office, Mr Hondelink was on day one of a Doc operation to cull tahr in the Southern Alps when he died.

While not present at the funeral, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sent her condolences to Mr Hondelink's family.

Paul Hondelink, of Twizel, was killed in the horrific chopper crash that also claimed the lives of fellow Doc worker Scott Theobold and helicopter pilot Nick Wallis.

Mr Hondelink had previously been based in Wanaka but had moved to Twizel.

Following the crash, Otago Regional Council Environmental Monitoring and Operations director Scott MacLean said Mr Hondelink was ''laid-back,'' but totally dedicated to his work.

Doc director general Lou Sanson paid an emotional tribute to Mr Hondelink, Mr Wallis and animal threats biodiversity ranger Scott Theobald on RNZ just after the crash.

"Thousands of birds are alive on islands because of these people.

"We lost some of the most significant experience in New Zealand, if not the world."

The family of  Mr Theobald, who was also killed in the crash, will hold two funeral services - one at 2pm on Wednesday at Glentanner Holiday Park near Aoraki/Mt Cook, and one at 2pm on Saturday November 3, in Whangarei.