found guilty of murdering Fleming<\/a> and seriously injuring her colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, after a two-week trial at the Christchurch High Court in May.<\/p>\nThe pair were overseeing the New Year’s Eve policing operation in Nelson and were on foot patrol in the Buxton Square car park just after 2am on 1 January 2025 when they were hit by a white Honda Odyssey driven by Tasker.<\/p>\n
Fleming was thrown around 20 metres in the impact and taken to Nelson Hospital where she was put on life support. Her injuries were described as catastrophic and unsurvivable.<\/p>\n
Her son, Aren Olsen, told the court his mother was gone long before he got to hospital.<\/p>\n
At her bedside, he said there was no opportunity to say goodbye.<\/p>\n
“The truth is that Lyn Fleming was gone long before I made it back to her. Her brain and with it every trace of the person I knew and admired was already shattered and stolen from us by this act of cruel indifference,” he said.<\/p>\n
![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4KE95XT_lyn_fleming_1_1_25_png.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Nelson policewoman Lyn Fleming.<\/p>\n
Supplied \/ NZ Police<\/p>\n
He said if there was any justice, it would come from his mother’s enduring legacy of love and aroha for her family and her community, while the name and deeds of the person whose cowardice took her was erased from time and memory.<\/p>\n
“I condemn the offender for his actions, but I refuse to allow myself to hate him. He’s stolen too much from me and from this family and I deny him the right to take any more,” Olsen said.<\/p>\n
Fleming’s daughter, Rayna Olsen, said her life changed in a matter of seconds when she got a phone call on New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n
“The images and sounds from the hospital haunt me every single day. I still hear the doctors telling us her injuries were not survivable,” she said.<\/p>\n
Olsen was pregnant at the time and said Tasker took away Fleming’s chance to be a grandmother. As a result, her happiness and joy had been replaced by grief, trauma and sadness.<\/p>\n
![\"Lyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4JOFAR7_Image_3_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Lyn Fleming’s son Aren Olsen, with his father Bryn Olsen and sister Rayna Olsen.<\/p>\n
RNZ \/ Louis Dunham<\/p>\n
“Mum made this place feel like home, she made me feel safe. She filled our lives with love and without her, everything was different,” she said.<\/p>\n
“She was the person I could always rely on for support, guidance and unconditional love. Losing her has devastated every part of my life.”<\/p>\n
Rayna Olsen said she experienced nightmares, flashbacks, fear and trauma.<\/p>\n
“The weight of my loss is suffocating and I am drowning in it,” she said.<\/p>\n
Fleming’s husband, Bryn Olsen, told Tasker that his actions that day were cowardly, as was his choice to defend a charge of murder.<\/p>\n
He told Tasker that he did not want to give him another thought after the hearing.<\/p>\n
![\"24072026](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4JKZQ78_Tasker3_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Hayden Tasker at his sentencing.<\/p>\n
Pool\/Stuff\/Braden Fastier<\/p>\n
“Lyn helped people, you hurt people. Lyn succeeded in life, you failed. Lyn will be remembered, you will be forgotten,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I just hope the sentence you receive is long enough that by the time you are released you are too old to hurt anyone else.<\/p>\n
“You leave no legacy. You are forgotten.”<\/p>\n
Ramsay told the court he remembered regaining consciousness and realising he had been hit by a car.<\/p>\n
He was left with head injuries, a dislocated shoulder, breathing problems and cuts to the bone.<\/p>\n
Ramsay said the attack profoundly affected police staff, with some resigning or changing roles after witnessing the violence.<\/p>\n
![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4JKZOOT_Senior_Sergeant_Adam_Ramsay_reads_his_impact_statement_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay.<\/p>\n
Pool\/Stuff\/Braden Fastier<\/p>\n
Addressing Tasker directly in the dock, Ramsay said he hoped Tasker’s time in prison felt as empty as the void Fleming’s death has left for her family and friends.<\/p>\n
The trial<\/p>\n
Over two weeks, a Christchurch High Court jury heard from more than 40 witnesses, including members of the public and police officers who were in the central Nelson car park in the early hours of New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n
Tasker admitted two charges of dangerous driving causing injury and at the beginning of the trial and had earlier plead guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and driving with excess blood alcohol.<\/p>\n
The court heard how Tasker drove into the Buxton Square car park in his White Honda Odyssey just after 2am.<\/p>\n
What unfolded shortly afterwards was documented by CCTV footage, cellphone videos taken by members of the public and eyewitness accounts.<\/p>\n
He drove at a group of police officers and a patrol car near the centre of the car park, forcing members of the public to jump out of the way, before hitting both Ramsay and Fleming.<\/p>\n
![\"Lyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4KDHMN7_Photo_16_01_2025_1_00_29_PM_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Lyn Fleming’s funeral.<\/p>\n
RNZ \/ Anthony Phelps<\/p>\n
Ramsay was sent into the air and landed eight metres away near another patrol car, while Fleming was carried with the Odyssey and projected forward, landing around 20 metres from where she was hit.<\/p>\n
After hitting the pair, Tasker then looped around the car park and drove back towards the officers, ramming into the back of a white police car, shunting it several metres forward.<\/p>\n
The impact knocked over Sergeant Craig Barker who had gone to Ramsay’s aid, left Constable Jemma Radcliffe who had been inside the car with a concussion and struck Tasman Cook, who was also helping Ramsay, with enough force it broke her arm.<\/p>\n
Tasker was arrested at the scene and breath tested shortly after. He was found to be more than three times over the legal breath alcohol limit.<\/p>\n
The jury found he had intended to murder Fleming and injure Ramsay when he hit them with his car, rejecting his claim that he crashed into the officers in a failed attempt to take his own life.<\/p>\n
The Crown argued Tasker was motivated by anger towards the police and used his car as a weapon to mow them down.<\/p>\n
Tasker’s ‘irrational and senseless’ actions motivated by anger at police – judge<\/p>\n
In sentencing, Justice Cameron Mander said the jury’s guilty verdicts were inevitable based on the evidence called at trial.<\/p>\n
The aggravating features of Tasker’s offending were that he intentionally singled out the police officers, that he used his vehicle as a weapon and that while impulsive, there were elements of pre-meditation in the way he manoeuvred his car through Buxton Square.<\/p>\n
He said Tasker held a persistent resentment towards police for what he considered to be unfair treatment, which gave insight into his warped motivation and thinking at the time.<\/p>\n
“You targeted both officers with the intention of striking them with your vehicle, your actions in doing so were irrational and senseless, but they were by design, motivated by anger at the police.”<\/p>\n
Mander said Tasker’s “unfathomable actions” were “grossly disproportionate” to the source of his grievance.<\/p>\n
“Neither of them had any previous involvement with you, nor did you know them. You drove your vehicle at them because they were wearing a blue uniform and a police cap. That illustrates the randomness of them being your victims. They could have been any police officers going about their duties.”<\/p>\n
Tasker was disqualified from driving, and more than three times the legal breath alcohol limit, when he drove at the officers.<\/p>\n
He said a previous conviction for assaulting a person using a vehicle as a weapon showed Tasker’s inclination, while sitting behind the wheel of a car, to use it as a means to attack others if angered.<\/p>\n
Mander said Tasker hadn’t demonstrated genuine remorse or insight, or fully accepted responsibility for his actions.<\/p>\n
He said Fleming’s death was an irreparable loss that could not be mitigated by any sentence imposed by the court.<\/p>\n
“The shattering consequences of Lyn Fleming’s murder on her family, who have been left distraught and heartbroken by her sudden and arbitrary killing cannot be adequately captured in my sentencing remarks.<\/p>\n
“They have been left entirely bereft. Their loss is permanent. Their pain is enduring.”<\/p>\n
Justice Mander said Nelson too, mourned a person in Fleming who gave much to her community.<\/p>\n
He said attacks against police officers carried severe consequences and would not be tolerated.<\/p>\n
“Policemen and women work for all members of society. Each day they undertake difficult, demanding and dangerous work. They stand in harm’s way on behalf of others. When a police officer is killed, all of society is affected.”<\/p>\n
Police pay tribute<\/p>\n
Commissioner Richard Chambers said sentencing marked the conclusion of a long and difficult chapter for police who had been profoundly affected.<\/p>\n
“Lyn Fleming and Adam Ramsay showed up to work on New Year’s Eve, ready to keep people in Nelson safe on what should have been a night of celebration. Instead, Lyn and Adam were targeted by the offender, simply because they were Police officers.<\/p>\n
“This cowardly and senseless act has changed many people’s lives forever. A life taken in just moments has left behind family, friends and colleagues who are still feeling deep pain at Lyn’s loss. We know that every milestone in life without her feels heavy as she should still be with us,” Chambers said.<\/p>\n
“Lyn gave her community over 38 years’ service and was highly respected by her colleagues. I want to acknowledge the incredible strength and dignity shown by Lyn’s family. Having to listen to the evidence during the trial and see what happened to Lyn was harrowing. Particularly to Lyn’s husband Bryn, and children Aren and Rayna, we are with you. You will always be part of our police family.<\/p>\n
“There will not have been a single officer across the country who has not been impacted by what has occurred. The fact it was so random and completely unprovoked shows the danger which is faced by our officers every day.”<\/p>\n
Chambers said Ramsay faced a long road to recovery and would forever carry “dreadful” memories of that day.<\/p>\n
“He has shown immense courage and bravery since this incident, including when he had to relive these moments in court. The fact that he continues to show up to work despite what he has been through, is a testament to his character and commitment to our community.”<\/p>\n
Area Commander for Nelson Bays Inspector Steve Collins thanked everyone in Nelson and across Aotearoa who sent cards, laid flowers or gave their condolences.<\/p>\n
“You gave some comfort at a difficult time as our staff worked to come to terms with the shock of what had happened. Thank you for caring.<\/p>\n
“Nelson is a beautiful and safe place to live, work and visit, this incident did not reflect our community and the outpouring of grief and support for Lyn’s family, as well as for Adam, shows this.”<\/p>\n
Police response to verdict<\/p>\n
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said Fleming’s death had left lasting scars across police, prompting officers to question their careers and safety.<\/p>\n
“This was New Year’s Eve. This was an event that should have been celebrated but will forever be etched in the memories of so many,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Adam and Lyn were two leaders who stood up and were doing exactly what we ask of our team. The consequences of what happened on the 1st of January have left irreparable damage.”<\/p>\n
It was hard to put into words how senseless the attack was, Rogers said.<\/p>\n
“We have heard repeatedly today of the devastation … that this … has had on so many,” she said.<\/p>\n
Nelson area commander Inspector Steve Collins said no sentence could ever compensate Fleming’s family nor offset the emotional toll on police.<\/p>\n
Fleming was a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about her staff and the community, he said.<\/p>\n
“Everyone at the Nelson police respected her. She was a role model to both males and females inside and outside the police. She was a modest and capable and deserving of being remembered as a quality human being,” Collins said.<\/p>\n
“As police we have to move on but she will never be forgotten here. Her hope, her values and her dedication will live on with the staff that work from Nelson Police Station. She will live on in the community, a community I want to thank for the outpouring of support that we received during our very dark days. It was some comfort and some reassurance to know that the New Zealand public, and specifically here the Nelson public, were behind us.”<\/p>\n
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the sentencing had closed a long and painful chapter but nothing could undo the harm caused by her killer’s actions.<\/p>\n
“This cowardly and senseless act has changed many people’s lives forever. A life taken in just moments has left behind family, friends and colleagues who are still feeling deep pain at Lyn’s loss,” Chambers said.<\/p>\n
“Lyn gave her community over 38 years’ service and was highly respected by her colleagues. I want to acknowledge the incredible strength and dignity shown by Lyn’s family. Having to listen to the evidence during the trial and see what happened to Lyn was harrowing, particularly to Lyn’s husband Bryn and children Aren and Rayna, we are with you. You will always be part of our police family.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Slain Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming’s family have told her murderer that while he took her life, he…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":542302,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[111,43,139,69],"class_list":["post-542301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/542301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=542301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/542301\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/542302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=542301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=542301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=542301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}