29th Apr 2025 9:01AMI knew Derek White when we both lived and worked in Ohakune in 1981. I was involved in forestry, but we were of a similar age, and Ohakune is not a big place. We spent a week together visiting primary schools in the Waimarino during Conservation Week in 1981 along with a wildlife officer from the Department of Internal Affairs, Errol Neutze. From memory, we visited more than 20 schools.

I had left Ohakune when Derek was killed in the helicopter crash on Tongariro in 1982, along with two other rangers (who I also knew), the pilot (who I probably knew) and Derek's fiancee (who I didn't know). I was in Christchurch when I heard the news. I didn't try to get to the funerals, but commemorated their passing by doing a solo ascent of the Otira Face of Mt Rolleston in Arthur's Pass National Park. I doubt I would have attempted this otherwise.Two years ago, I visited the memorials set up at the accident site.
Tim Thorpe