Hayden Tasker identified as the accused in fatal New Year’s Day attack on Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming

Hayden Donald Jason Tasker is named the man accused of murdering Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming in Nelson on New Year’s Day.

Tasker, 32, of Motueka, had interim name suppression since his arrest, but it was lifted at a pre-trial hearing in the High Court at Wellington on Friday, August 8, according to a report by the Post.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder, dangerous driving, drink driving, and driving while disqualified. His trial is tentatively scheduled for May 2026.

What are the charges on Hayden Tasker?

Tasker was arrested after an incident in Buxton Square car park, central Nelson, shortly after midnight on January 1, 2025.

Tasker faces a series of charges, but he has pleaded not guilty to: Murder of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, Attempted murder of Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, Causing grievous bodily harm with reckless disregard, and three charges of dangerous driving, according to a NZHearld report.

He has, however, pleaded guilty and was convicted on charges of drink driving (exceeding the legal blood‐alcohol limit) and driving while disqualified.

Following the incident, Tasker was arrested and made an initial court appearance in Nelson District Court on January 3, where he was remanded in custody.

He later appeared at a High Court hearing in Blenheim in late February, where he formally entered not-guilty pleas to the more serious charges.

What happened on New Year’s Day

Just after midnight on January 1, 2025, Fleming and Senior Sergeant Ramsay were on foot patrol in central Nelson when their vehicle was driven into at Buxton Square. Fleming, 62, died later that day in the hospital surrounded by family members.

Ramsay, critically injured, survived. Another officer was treated for a concussion, and two members of the public were also hurt during the incident. Police allege that Tasker struck them.

Fleming’s death and legacy

Fleming was taken to the hospital after the incident but died surrounded by family. She was the first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand, and the first Nelson officer to die on the job.

She served 38 years and seven months in uniform, beginning as a traffic officer in Auckland in 1986 before joining the police in 1992 alongside her husband, Bryn. She later moved to Nelson, where she was the area response manager.

Her funeral on January 16 at the Trafalgar Centre was attended by colleagues, community members, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. A private family service followed.

Fleming was the 34th police officer to die in the line of duty in New Zealand.