Wanaka volunteer mourned after track death

Maureen Anne Schofield walked up Mt Iron every day. Photo / Supplied

Volunteering circles in Wanaka have been left devastated by the death of one of the town's most valued volunteers, Maureen Anne "Mo" Schofield, who slipped and fell about 40m on to a rocky creek bed while walking the Fern Burn Track on Monday.

Wanaka police last night released Mrs Schofield's name. She was on an outing with the Wanaka Walkers group near Glendhu Bay when the accident happened around noon.

Mrs Schofield, 68, was British and is understood to have moved to Wanaka about eight years ago with her husband Dennis. The couple have two adult children.

She volunteered for many community groups and events and has been remembered fondly for her kindness and generosity.

Upper Clutha Senior Citizens Club co-ordinator Vivienne Fitzgerald was "absolutely devastated" by the death, describing her as a "true pillar" of the community.

"She was a very generous lady ... With senior citizens she's put years into helping the group and caring for the members with driving them around, providing baking, working in the kitchen and also support for members at a more personal level," Mrs Fitzgerald said.

"Mo always helped other people and had great empathy with the older members of our community ... she was a true community person. Mo will be missed by so many people in this community."

Mrs Schofield also volunteered on several Festival of Colour events. Festival general manager Lindsey Schofield (no relation) said Mrs Schofield was an "amazing" woman.

"She was really a very integral part of the team ... my first reaction when I heard [of her death] was that we couldn't have a festival without Mo because it just couldn't be the same.

"She was always happy to do anything and everything, always with a big smile, huge energy and vibrancy, a very thoughtful and kind person ... there were always lots of laughs, never a dull moment ... she was just very giving of her time."

Mrs Schofield was also a keen bridge player, often travelled overseas to visit family and kept extremely fit, walking up Wanaka's Mt Iron "come rain, shine, winter, summer" every morning at about 6am.

"She had a lot more energy than people half her age."

Her "signature" leather pants were a hit with fellow festival volunteers.

"She used to drive around in her little Porsche and leather pants."

It is understood Mrs Schofield had volunteered at several Warbirds Over Wanaka international airshows before being appointed in May last year to the role of volunteer manager for this year's show, recruiting and organising about 300 helpers before and during the event.

Working at London's Gatwick Airport, living in Africa for 20 years and having a love of Spitfire aircraft made Mrs Schofield a perfect choice for the role, show organisers said at the time of her appointment.

Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor said Mrs Schofield had done a "fantastic job" and organisers had already talked to her about coming back to help out in 2016.

"Mo was always positive and upbeat and that flowed through to the volunteers. She just loved being involved with Warbirds and everyone loved working with her. I can still picture Mo on her mountain bike doing the rounds of her volunteers during the airshow."

Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust chairman Ross McRobie said Mrs Schofield was "the epitome" of what made the show such a great event.

"Without the efforts of people like Mo the airshow would simply not be possible. She gave a tremendous amount to our event and she is going to be very much missed."

Wanaka Walkers group member Brian Gilbert remembered Mrs Schofield as an "enthusiastic and joyful" long-time member.

"She was usually far ahead and higher up the hill than the rest of us, even though she had been up Mt Iron already that morning before the rest of us had got out of bed. Certainly one of the most energetic and experienced of our group."