He told the Otago Daily Times yesterday his position had been ''disestablished'' and he would be redundant from July 1.
Staff numbers in the Wanaka office are being cut by three, making it one of the South's hardest hit by the restructuring.
Mr Hellebrekers said he and his wife Tess would do some travelling but they intended to remain in the Wanaka area.
Mr Hellebrekers joined the lands and survey department 34 years ago and he became a founding staff member of Doc when it was formed in 1987.
Asked if he was disappointed, Mr Hellebrekers said he was disappointed his Doc career was ending with redundancy.
''But I accept the department's moving in a slightly different direction and that's how it works out.''
Alpine group general manager Jonathan Wallis said Mr Hellebrekers had been instrumental in breaking down barriers between public and private conservation initiatives.
''He's done a huge amount for establishing a sound relationship between farmers and the department ... and he was very thorough at his job. Nothing sat on his desk for very long.''
Mr Wallis said he was disappointed at the Doc redundancies.
''It's a short-term view, to be cutting staff, especially those people with considerable experience and intellectual property.''
