Nelson policewoman Lyn Fleming’s funeral: Colleagues perform powerful haka for slain officer

Hundreds of uniformed police officers have farewelled their beloved colleague Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming this afternoon, performing a powerful haka at the conclusion of her funeral service.

The policewoman died after being struck by a vehicle in central Nelson just after 2am on New Year’s Day. She was the 34th police officer and first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand.

More than a thousand of Fleming’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson today to farewell the 62-year-old. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other dignitaries were also among those in attendance.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed in the line of duty on New Year's Day. Photo / Police

At the conclusion of her funeral, Fleming’s coffin was carried from the venue by her team - Sergeant Adrian Cupit, Sergeant Nigel Orpwood, Sergeant Craig Clayworth, Sergeant Tony Esera, Sergeant Alana Kane, Sergeant Tim Wincer and Senior Sergeant Byron Reid - who all directly reported to Fleming, a much loved and respected colleague.

Once outside of the venue, Fleming’s colleagues performed a moving haka in her honour.

The police haka - Ko Te Uru Pounamu - was traditionally used and performed by tribal war parties at the front line of battle.

“As police, we are at the frontline everyday where we face many challenges. Today the haka is performed at different occasions to honour loved ones and show our respect to friends and family members,” a police spokesperson explained earlier.

Police colleagues perform a haka following the funeral for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming at Nelson's Trafalgar Centre on Thursday. Photo / George Heard

A flag folding ceremony - of the New Zealand Police flag that was draped over Fleming’s coffin - was also carried out, which Police Commissioner Richard Chambers then presented to Fleming’s husband, Bryn Olsen and children Aren and Rayna.

“The ceremonial folding of the flag is a symbolic tradition which stems from military funerals and has been adopted by numerous police authorities across the world for funeral services involving a fallen police officer,” said the spokesperson.

A formal police escort accompanied the hearse as Fleming’s body was carried away through a guard of honour made up of police personnel - past and present - and first responders.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers presents a New Zealand Police flag to Fleming’s husband, Bryn Olsen, following a flag folding ceremony. Photo / George Heard

The escort included police motorbikes, a patrol car, a piper from the New Zealand Police Pipe Band, police dogs, and a colour party carrying the New Zealand and police flags.

The spokesperson explained that the guard of honour was “an opportunity for police officers to pay their last respects” to their fallen colleague.

All police funerals include this tradition.

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