Probably one of the most familiar faces around the island must be Helen O'Shea's. Little happens in the community without her taking part in it. But also for those less comfortable in busy social settings Helen is only a phone call away, offering a "confidential listening ear". Helen can always be reached on 140 by anybody that does not want to keep issues bottled up. "There are many people that go through everyday routine but are actually still carrying a lot of unresolved grief."

Helen came from a profession where she had to deal with many acute issues, originally trained as a psychiatric nurse. To this day she has not let her registration lapse, testifying to her sense of professionalism. "You never know when that may be important."

It is nearly 45 years ago now that she moved onto this island, plenty of time to prove that she did not stay for the scenic attractions alone. "I had met this sensational Irish man. He had read about Great Barrier Island somewhere. So when a farm came up for sale that we could actually afford, we bought a herd of cattle and came across. We were newcomers among some long-established farming families. It took us a long time to become part of that community."

But these days Helen is very much part of the community. With a permanent seat on the Great Barrier Island security council - well the community board at least - she has been an elected community leader since 1984, back in county council days. And ever since she has been leading all contenders when it came time to count votes. "It's simple - with me people know where they stand, that is why they vote for me."

That Helen will not be standing at any extreme whatever the issue, is well appreciated in the community. And even if that may appear appeasing at times, Helen's innate sense of moderation and conciliation will have helped to bridge many misunderstandings in the past. And this will have earned her such deserved respect.

Helen is always available to listen to anybody that needs someone to talk through personal and confidential issues. But who listens to Helen?

~~~

When Hilde Hoven set off from Holland, she could not have imagined that 5 years later she would be raising her son, comfortably settled on a Pacific island. Or at least one that is as exposed to sou’westerlies as this one is.

Leaving behind a life in crowded Holland with a job in a large multi-national corporation, Hilde and her backpack eventually found their way to Great Barrier Island. But the brief 4 day excursion unexpectedly started something that has not ended yet. Time in Auckland and Australia for travel, work and studies - and even a return to Europe did not distract Hilde from settling on the island by the time she was preparing to give birth. She never hesitated to plan for a home birth, close to where Ronan's father and her friends could support her. "Over here, I do not feel a foreigner."

Hilde does not have to search for any special meaning created out of the act of giving birth in this particular place. "Ronan himself will forever be linked to this island, and therefore so will I."

Not only personal reasons pulled Hilde back to the landscapes and the space this island has to offer. "I found that here on this island, I could get to know myself better. Here there are fewer consumer distractions and social pressures. I discovered that I could appreciate being with myself and did not need to see myself through the eyes of other people."

~~~

Community is not an afterthought for Gael Johnson. As Great Barrier Island's new Community Worker, she has made the people she used to know as neighbours the focus of her attention.

Many people on the island will remember her from her previous stays since 1977. After her then partner disappeared for two weeks, he returned with a smile on his face to fetch Gael and the two were soon installed in the old Oreville Post Office then located behind the Golf Club. “We had to move some cows out first before we could set up in there!” Gael laughed.

But when they were asked to look after the Rangimari Guesthouse that had been started by Debbie Orton, they were able to settle down a little bit better. Rangimari is now more mundanely known as the Medlands Beach Backpackers.

“The people that came to stay with us were visiting their own history, kerosene lamps and all. They were trampers, outdoor lovers or people that liked to live simply and healthy. “  The phone interrupted and she stepped back into her office at the Claris Health Centre to answer the call.

Talking with Gael, islands continuously appear in the story, with extended stops on Waiheke, Samoa, and even a nameless island in Greece. A key event was another island journey, joining the Mururoa Peace Voyage to French Polynesia in the mid-eighties.

Soon after that Gael was preoccupied with bringing up 3 children for which she built a house in Mulberry Grove that she still owns. That involved the best part of 7 years and ever since she has been back regularly. One gets the sense that even when this period will come to an end again, it will not be the last time we will see Gael here. “I can identify with the values present here on the island. Rather than be career focused and only concerned with self interest, there prevails a sense of ‘live gently in this world’. I find people here much more open to different perspectives and one mixes and socialises with a much wider range of people.”

 “Maybe Great Barrier is one place where you can still find the idealised New Zealand DIY attitude – here you just have to get on with it whatever the problem is. You cope, and learn how to solve problems and just to survive. “Gael can say that because as community worker she is there to help people become able to ‘survive’ – be it through social support or by helping people gain skills and resources to make do on their own.

“I am very excited about the potential of this job. It is a celebration, a recognition of our community. People here are very active. They are very involved in issues and projects – the conservation initiatives, and women’s groups are only two examples. I hope mine is a role that can and will develop with people. I do not expect to make any dramatic impacts but I will provide support where it most matters.”