Katrina Bennett is the Herald’s head of Wellington news, based in the capital. She was born and raised in Nelson and is back in the city for the summer holidays.
The attack was racially motivated, and it led to a much-needed conversation about racial tensions in Nelson and the need to stamp such hatred out.
The perpetrator, another young woman who was only a teenager herself, was sent to prison, with the judge saying such attacks were to be “denounced and punished”.
A public meeting was held and revealed a community determined to embrace acceptance and take a stand against violence. To say, this is not who we are.
Such violence directed at those who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe, and who genuinely care about making their city a better place, is unfathomable for most of us.
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming is the first police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the Nelson region, and the first policewoman to be killed in New Zealand.
She was admired, respected, adored and appreciated.
Hundreds of floral tributes have been laid for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, the first police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the Nelson region. Photo / Katrina Bennett
One police officer I spoke to this week said at Fleming’s stage in her career – 38 years on the force – you could expect some ego. She’d earned it.
But there was none of that, just a desire to help and support others.
Her colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, plus another police officer and two civilians were also injured in the incident.
A 32-year-old Tasman man charged with murder and various other charges appeared in court today but entered no pleas. He loses name suppression next Friday but won’t be back in court until February.
He stood quietly in the dock, head bowed, no sign of emotion.
For locals, it’s hard to comprehend how such violence could occur here. Especially during the summer boom, with visitors flocking to the city to enjoy its laid-back, beachy vibe, fabulous sunny weather and art scene.
The Rev Steve Jordan, of Christ Church Cathedral, said Nelson is “generally a very happy, peaceful place”.
He’s right. Growing up here was wonderful. Nelson is a place I’m proud to be associated with and love returning to. It’s a place I now enjoy taking my children to for their holidays. It’s safe. It’s home.
But like every city there’s an underbelly, and Buxton Square has long attracted the ugliest of it.
Drugs, alcohol, boy racers, sexual assault and fights. Anyone who has spent time in Nelson has heard of something untoward happening there. And amidst the grief and outpouring of love this week, there’s an acceptance that we’ve all known it’s dangerous.
When the attack happened on my friend in 2005 we knew “Buxton’s” was unsafe after dark, our parents had told us not to use the public toilets there on a night out.
The bus from our school ball dropped us in the square after the event finished and we headed back into the city. It was supposed to be a quick toilet stop after a night of celebration.
For Lyn Fleming and her colleagues, on foot patrol on New Year’s Eve, they too would have known to be on guard but could never have anticipated what was about to unfold as they stepped into the square.
In the coming months, as facts are revealed, Nelson will once again need to confront such violence. It’s clear there’s a community desperate for answers, joined by grief and determined to take a stand. There’s a desire to unite. There’s a noticeable change in sentiment towards police.
Perhaps even in death, Lyn Fleming will inspire this city to be better.
