Obituaries — Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.

Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I move, That this House expresses its sorrow at the tragic passing of serving police officer Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, who died following an incident in Nelson in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Lyn and her colleague Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were on a routine foot patrol, just like many other police officers across the country on New Year’s Eve, working to keep our community safe. Just after 2 a.m., in Buxton Square car park, a vehicle drove towards them at speed, hitting both of them. Two members of the public were also injured in the incident. Both officers were transported to Nelson Hospital, but, sadly, Lyn passed away later that day.

On behalf of the Government and the people right across New Zealand, we acknowledge Lyn’s family, her friends and her colleagues, and extend our heartfelt condolences for their unimaginable loss. Lyn was a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a much-loved member of the community who touched so many lives. Lyn Fleming was an exceptional police officer with 38 years of front-line service. Her policing career started in 1986 as a traffic officer in Auckland before joining the Police in 1992, when the organisations merged. She spent 32 years on the front line of Nelson, spending the last seven years as Nelson Bay’s area response manager. Lyn was an officer highly respected by her peers, her staff, and her bosses. She was a leader who exemplified professionalism, and she was a matriarch of the Nelson Police Station.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said at her service that Lyn’s personal file was big and “full of goodness”. There were letters of thanks from members of the community, families, children for what she did for them in their time of need. I had the privilege of attending Lyn’s funeral service in Nelson more than a week ago now, and hundreds joined together in mourning the loss of Lyn, with many others watching online to honour a truly amazing Kiwi. We heard many stories about Lyn and the incredible person that she was. I was told of her kind and caring nature and the strength of her character. Lyn was also humble despite her many great accomplishments, and most of those who paid tribute to Lyn were very quick to make the point that she would have hated all of the fuss.

Hundreds of police and fire service staff lined the road in a guard of honour for her final journey and police staff performed a heartfelt haka—the Police haka, “Ko te uru pounamu”—which speaks of harmony between the police and the public as the key to safer communities. I’d like to extend my condolences to the entire Police family. I have seen how much this has impacted you all and how you have rallied around to support each other during this very difficult time. I’d also like to send my well wishes to the other officer, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, as he recovers, as well.

I want to thank all of those who were first on the scene, who intervened and put themselves into harm’s way, as well as the health professionals who worked to treat the officers and the bystanders who were injured. Your actions were truly heroic.

Aside from her significant policing career, Lyn was remembered as a pillar of the netball community in Nelson because, for 30 years, she selflessly gave and volunteered her time and energy to coaching netball at the local high schools. She had a profound influence on many of their lives that they carried far beyond the netball court, and her commitment and passion to the sport and to her girls is truly inspirational.

To Lyn’s community, who have lost someone so dear, I share in your sadness, and in the weeks since Lyn’s passing there has been an absolute outpouring of love—from the flowers outside Nelson police station, a minute’s silence at the cricket at Saxton Oval, outside police stations across the country, and a public vigil—there have been many, many moving moments.

This senseless tragedy has been felt deeply by our community. And lastly, again, I want to acknowledge Lyn’s immediate family. To Bryn, Rayna and Aren, Ray and Colleen, and siblings Woody, Carol, and Jo, I am in awe of your strength that you’ve shown during a time of so much hurt. Your Lyn was a truly, truly special person: loving, dedicated, and selfless. As Aren so eloquently put it during Lyn’s service, words are simply not enough.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, you are gone, but you will never be forgotten. Ngā mihi.

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

I’d like to express the Labour Party’s deepest condolences to Lyn’s family, to the New Zealand Police for their loss, and also to send our thoughts to Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, who was critically injured alongside Lyn on New Year’s Day. I want to endorse all of the words just spoken by the Prime Minister.

A few years ago, when I became the Minister of Police, I had the opportunity to interact with and meet with police from up and down New Zealand. And it struck me then just how much uncertainty hangs over our police force every day that they go to work. It’s not just our police force but it’s their family, who say goodbye to them every morning—or, in some cases, in the evening, if they’re on the nightshift—unsure what their loved one is going to face in that day, unsure whether they will come home at night. I know the entire police force, all of their families and whānau, will be feeling this loss keenly today, as always whenever someone is injured in the service of New Zealand, and we send our thoughts to all of the New Zealand Police.

Lyn’s impact was immeasurable. Being a police officer is a pretty tough job. Our officers put themselves on the front line every day. They face the most dangerous of circumstances. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the safety of our whole community. The loss of a police officer is not just a loss for that family and for that community; it is a loss for all of us. It is a loss for all of New Zealand. They devote their life to serving and protecting, often sacrificing so much in the process. Their commitment and their bravery make an impact that resonates far beyond their duty. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Lyn was not just a police officer; she went the extra mile to support her community: a mentor, a leader, even supporting those on the court, managing a junior netball team, being a mum on the sidelines. From what I’ve heard about Lyn, she did everything for the front line but never put herself ahead of others. We’ve heard from members of the community, from families, and children about how Lyn cared very deeply for them. Their stories and memories of Lyn all reflect the same theme: her immense humility and her profound impact on so many lives. The respect that the community holds for Lyn was evident when 2,000 people came together for a candlelit vigil in the rain to honour Lyn’s legacy and show their support for the local police, for Lyn’s family, her friends—and I also want to take a moment to acknowledge Shelley Bishop, who organised the vigil. I want to acknowledge and thank the emergency teams and staff at Nelson Hospital who provided care to Lyn and to Adam.

Lyn was loved and respected by her colleagues and community. Her contributions to both the community and our nation will always be remembered.

Ngā mate o te tau, te marama, te wiki te rā. Haere, haere oti atu. Ki a koe, Lyn, e te whaea, e te rangatira, ko koe tērā kua riro atu ki te pō, haere, haere atu rā.

[To the many deaths of the year, the month, the week and the day, leave, leave, leave us. To you, Lyn, the mother, the esteemed one, it is you who has departed for the darkness, go, go, go beyond.]

On behalf of Te Pāti Kākāriki, we honour Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and express our condolences to her whānau, her friends, her colleagues, her community, and all who knew and loved her. We wanted to particularly acknowledge the first responders, including her colleagues who were with her in her final moments. Everybody should return home safe after mahi. Moe mai rā, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.

Kind and caring—those words were repeated over and over again as tributes were paid to Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, a woman who gave 38 years and seven months of service to her community. Those qualities drew more than 1,200 people to remember Senior Sergeant Fleming at her funeral in Nelson. A picture was painted, for those who had not known her, of someone who was known for her warmth, for her kindness, and for her approachability; someone who took the time to connect with individuals, offering support and guidance not just at times of crisis but in everyday moments as well; a wife, a mother, a netball coach, the Nelson Bays area response manager for New Zealand Police.

That depth of feeling from the local Nelson community was emphasised when Rev. Dr Graham O’Brien, the dean of the Nelson cathedral, spoke to media at the time of Senior Sergeant Fleming’s funeral. He said there was such an outpouring that they were on their sixth condolence book, and he said this showed how important it had been for the public to feel that they could offer their support in a very tangible way to Lyn’s family and the wider police family.

Her legacy is one of service above self, dedicated to making the world around her better. Those who had the privilege of working alongside her or knowing her were touched by her leadership and her unwavering dedication to justice. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming’s life and work serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible impact one individual can have on the lives of many. Her contributions will be remembered with gratitude and respect, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of officers to follow in her footsteps with the same sense of purpose and compassion that she so beautifully embodied.

Her son, Aren, had a simple call to action to those wishing to honour his mother’s memory. He stated that we could do this by following her example as a parent, a police officer, a coach, a mentor, and a member of the community. By being the person she inspired us all to be, we can leave this world a better place than we found it. We shall remember Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, New Zealand Police, QID LFE773, whose watch ended on 1 January 2025.

As we rise to acknowledge with respect the passing of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, I would like also to acknowledge, as the Prime Minister stated, that she would have been the last to have been seeking this much attention.

Senior Sergeant Fleming demonstrated in all her actions in her career—through her role in the community, her contribution to sport, and relationship with her colleagues—what service truly means. The loss of her life gave pause not only to Nelson but to the whole of New Zealand and to every police officer, both serving and past members.

I do not know of a police officer that cannot vividly recall where they were and what shift they were working when a colleague is lost. It is true of New Year’s Day 2025; this day will be committed to many memories, as will the service, professionalism, dedication, and generosity of spirit that encapsulates Senior Sergeant Fleming’s life.

The outpouring of respect and admiration that was evident in Nelson on 16 January at the police service was not just from the police but from the entire community, because the loss was not purely to police. They had lost their daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a mentor, a confidant, a community leader, a coach, a team mate, a neighbour, and from that there are no words that are sufficient to reflect the sense of loss.

Senior Sergeant Fleming was a fierce advocate for her colleagues and her staff, what was needed to keep them safe and protected, and she advocated continuously as part of her service ethos.

My thoughts and prayers also go to Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay that he makes a full recovery, and to Lyn’s family, that they know their grief is shared and that we were grateful as a nation to be able to share in the farewell to honour Lyn’s life.

Unfortunately, in September this year, on Police Remembrance Day, another name will be added to the column. All those who give their lives in service of this country are reflected, but police officers uniquely get up every day and go about interacting with communities in a manner that has only intentions of the highest standards. Senior Sergeant Fleming was the epitome of that ethos of service, and we will remember her.

E Shane, e Peeni, kia kuhu atu ki roto i te wairua Māori i roto i ngā kōrero nei.

[Shane and Peeni, let me enter the spiritual Māori world with these words.]

Hiki nuku e, hiki rangi e, hīkina te toki e hahau atu nei, e hoihoi atu rā i te wao tapu nui a Tāne. Ko toki nui, ko toki roa, ko toki taruaitū. Ko te toki nā wai ko te toki nō Aituā. Tūrakina te pou, ka rongo te pō ka rongo te ao. Apakura tangi te wiwini, Apakura tangi te wawana. Tangi kotokoto ki ō tāngata ki ō huānga ko te tangi a te Kura Akaaka. Ko Maikinui ko Maikiroa koia Hukahuka. Ka tapa reretū ki te moana ka tapa reretū ki a Tangaroa. Tūria te onetapu i Rangitoto. Tūria te tāhuna tapu i Rangitatau. Tūria kia utukina te puna mōteatea. Tūria kia utukina te puna mārakerake.

Ko kōkōmako e kō, ko Kōkōmako e kō. Ko te hautapu ka rere ki te kāinga a Matāriki. Ka tapa reireia koia tapa. Ka tapa konunua koia tapa. Ka tapa tukuna ki te kawa tapu a Rangi e tū nei, ki a Papa e takoto nei.

Whāno, whano, haramai te toki, haumi e, hui e, tāiki e.

[Earth and sky move as the adze rises to chop and slash the great forest of Tāne. The adze or death is large and long. Whose adze is it; it belongs to Calamity himself. It felled the pillar and it resonates throughout night and day. This caused great wailing and grief. Mourn the loss of your loved ones, it is the mourning of Ultimate Upheaval. It is the Great Incident and The Long Incident that causes Great Consternation. Take flight to the ocean, to Tangaroa. Make landfall on the sacred earth of Rangitoto and the sacred shore at Rangitatau. Partake of the spring of sorrow. Partake of the exposed spring.

The bellbird bird sings. The sacred steam rises to the home of Pleiades. Recite the rite that covers and cloaks the sky. Recite the sacred rite to Sky Father and the Earth Mother.

Go forth and bring the adze, may it be bound, affixed and firm.]

Ko te mate o te tamaiti he āurukōwhao, ko tā te whaea he takerehāia. Nō reira e te kōkā, haere, haere, whakangaro atu rā. Haere ki a rātau te nui kua whoatu rā i runga i te ara kōrero kua parangia e te tini e te mano. Tēnei rā te tautoko i ngā kōrero kua whakatakotoria ki mua i te aroaro o tēnei Whare. Tika rā kia mihi rā, kia tangihia, kia poroporoakitia koe i tēnei rā.

Haere koe i runga i te waka o Tamarēreti, ki te nuinga o rātau kua haongia ki Hawaiki nui, ki Hawaiki roa ki Hawaiki pāmamao.

Toru tekau mā waru tau koe i roto i ō mahi, engari ki runga i te mata o te whenua, ka roa nei, ka roa nei, ka roa nei.

Nō reira e te kōkā e Lyn, tēnei rā te tautoko i ngā mihi, tēnei rā te tautoko i ngā poroporoaki, tēnei te tautoko i ngā tangi ki a koe i tēnei rā. Haere koe ki te taha o te Kīngi Māori. Haere koe ki te taha o Tariana, ki a rātau kua kōrerotia e te Pīka i tēnei rā. Nō reira e te kōkā, e Lyn, haere, haere, whakangaro atu rā.

[The death of a child is like a small leak, but the death of a mature woman is a disaster. Depart, depart, depart, oh mother. Join the others who have also followed the path that was cleared by the myriads. I reaffirm the messages that have been spoken in this House. It is only fitting that you are acknowledged, mourned, and farewelled today.

Depart aboard the canoe of Tamarēreti, to the myriads who have departed before you to the great Hawaiki, to the long Hawaiki, and to the distant Hawaiki.

You toiled for 38 years in your occupation, but your time on this earth was indeed long.

I reaffirm the acknowledgments to you, oh matriarch, Lyn, I reaffirm the farewells and mourning. Depart alongside the Māori King. Depart alongside Tariana, and to the others mentioned by the Speaker today. Therefore, oh matriarch, Lyn, depart, depart, depart.]

Motion agreed to.

Hon Dame Tariana Turia