九一星空无限

ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Up next
ZB

Watch: Police officers perform powerful haka for slain colleague Lyn Fleming

Author
Benjamin Plummer & Anna Leask,
Publish Date
Thu, 16 Jan 2025, 4:33pm

Watch: Police officers perform powerful haka for slain colleague Lyn Fleming

Author
Benjamin Plummer & Anna Leask,
Publish Date
Thu, 16 Jan 2025, 4:33pm

Hundreds of uniformed  have farewelled their beloved colleague  this afternoon, performing a powerful haka at the .

The policewoman died after being struck by a vehicle in  just after 2am on New Year鈥檚 Day. She was the 34th police officer and first  in the line of duty in New Zealand.

More than a thousand of Fleming鈥檚 family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson today to farewell the 62-year-old.  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 / PoliceSenior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed in the line of duty on New Year's Day. Photo / Police

At the conclusion of her funeral, Fleming鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

鈥淎s 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,鈥 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 HeardPolice 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鈥檚 coffin - was also carried out, which Police Commissioner Richard Chambers then presented to Fleming鈥檚 husband, Bryn Olsen and children Aren and Rayna.

鈥淭he 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,鈥 said the spokesperson.

A formal police escort accompanied the hearse as Fleming鈥檚 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鈥檚 husband, Bryn Olsen, following a flag folding ceremony. Photo / George HeardPolice Commissioner Richard Chambers presents a New Zealand Police flag to Fleming鈥檚 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 鈥渁n opportunity for police officers to pay their last respects鈥 to their fallen colleague.

All police funerals include this tradition.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you