Helge graduated in medicine from the University of Hamburg in 1996. He developed a special interest in neuro-oncology with research projects in San Diego (USA) and Zurich (Switzerland) and was being awarded Dr.med. (Doctor of medicine, Germany) from the University of Hamburg in 1996. He completed his academic neurosurgical training in Meiningen, Fulda and Sande, Germany in 2003 and worked as a Consultant for Neurosurgery and Deputy Head of Department in Sande, Germany until 2010. Before moving to New Zealand in 2014 he completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery in Lingen, Germany. Helge has specialist interests in complex spine surgery, neuro-oncology, neurovascular disorders and peripheral nerve tumours. Helge is currently Deputy Clinical Director of Neurosurgery at Wellington Hospital and senior lecturer at Otago University.