Farewell Rachael

This week we sadly farewelled our wonderful friend and colleague, Rachael Butler. Rachael left this world on 1st March, after a tough battle with cancer.

There are two types of researchers - those who love their craft and gain genuine pleasure and fulfilment from the process of undertaking their work, and those who are driven by the benefit their research can bring to building an understanding of people's lives and influencing change in systems and policies. Rachael brought both to the fore - a talented and innovative qualitative researcher who had enormous empathy for those she met and loved nothing more than to tell their stories with warmth and integrity.

Rachael was a Dovetail collaborator from the outset and subsequently became a senior team member as we built our in-house capability. She led research into a wide range of areas, including rough sleeping, music therapy, peer support services, food poverty, social enterprises and community flood responses. Many of these were challenging to undertake, but Rachael valued the work all the more for that, and she gave her whole self to capturing their stories, and weaving compelling narratives of impact.

We have received countless messages of support and sympathy over the past week and our thanks to all who have made contact. We will always be deeply grateful for all Rachael brought to us in the time we were blessed to know her.

As one client said to us, "Rachael was a talented, beautiful person. A real gem."

Haere e Rachael, e hoa - haere koe kua whetūrangitia. No reira, e moe. 

Farewell, Rachael, dear friend and colleague, you have become another star in the heavens. May your light continue to shine upon us.