Today is the day of the funeral for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, the police officer who as we all know was tragically killed in the course of duty just two hours into the new year.  

Back then, after we heard that awful news, I commented that we would likely see a massive outpouring of grief and community solidarity – not just in the Nelson community, but throughout New Zealand. 

Many will feel that the actions leading to her death are just one example —or, should I say, symptomatic— of the problems we’ve got in society. Too many people behave without regard for the consequences: for themselves, their victims, or anyone else their actions might affect. It’s a pretty obvious point, because let’s face it, how much would crime be reduced if perpetrators stopped to think about the impact of their actions? 

But before I continue, I think it’s worth pausing to acknowledge again what a huge loss this has been to the Nelson community. From Lyn’s immediate family and friends to her wider family within the police, netball, and indeed the entire Nelson community that she served, her absence is deeply felt. 

However, I believe there is one thing to come out of this tragedy that, ironically, gives cause for hope or some optimism. And that is what we will likely witness today: a huge number of people coming together to share their love, to support Lyn’s family, and to grieve the loss of someone who was such an integral part of their community. 

Often, from what we hear or read in the media and in the political realm, it seems like we’re always at loggerheads with one another. But on a simple human level, we are also connected and have so much in common with each other as New Zealanders and human beings, regardless of race, politics, and religion. 

And I think that today is going to be a demonstration of that.   

So, what I hope is that when we see the news coverage of this farewell, and when we reflect on this tragedy, we are also reminded of the fact that, as the cliché goes, there is so much more that connects us than divides us.   

Maybe as human beings we’re not all that bad. Maybe we just need to give ourselves more chances to connect with each other rather than finding excuses to bicker, insult, and alienate.   

Now, I’m not saying it’s all Kumbaya or the Age of Aquarius. Because, we're always going to have differing opinions, philosophies and political views etc. But I just think that in the midst of all that, it doesn’t hurt to stop for a moment and appreciate the humanity we share.   

We are part of a community that’s wider and more generous than we often think, and today is a chance to remind ourselves of that.