Crime-fighter gets replacement car

Lyn Mehana checking out new cars. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Her family car was written off after being rammed, but yesterday the Manukau mother who has crusaded against local crime was rewarded with a new one.

Lyn Mehana featured in the Weekend Herald on Saturday to show the driver she was not going down without a fight. The mum was inside with six children and grandchildren when the car was driven into. She ran outside to see the dark four-wheel-drive lining up for another hit.

"We're not intimidated and we're not giving up," she said afterwards.

Ms Mehana and long-time friend Liz Kiriona kicked off a campaign to clean up the decile one state housing area of Rata Vine six years ago.

Community Constable Steve Smith said their work had curbed police callouts and had a "ripple effect on other members of the community who were previously reluctant to call the police".

Since the article appeared, messages of sympathy and anonymous donations have poured in and yesterday Ms Mehana went shopping for a new Toyota.

Manukau Toyota chief executive Michael Gapes said the company was "pleased to help".

Manukau Mayor Len Brown got in touch with the dealership after hearing about the ramming incident.

"It's about giving the message back to the community that we are just not going to tolerate this," he said. "They have got our back and we have got their back."

When Mr Brown first phoned to deliver the good news, an embarrassed Ms Mehana tried to turn him down.

"I said, 'Nah I don't want one,"' she said. "I said to him, 'I truly don't know how to thank you' ... thank you is not enough for everyone who's come forward."

Ms Mehana felt "a bit shameful" about the good will, saying she "didn't go in the paper for a car".

"I just want to let them know - not in our neighbourhood, not in our community."