I’m sure I speak for everyone when I express my condolences towards the victims in the Napier shootings and the families of everyone involved. As someone who grew up in Napier, it hits very close to home.
Chaucer Rd, where this is all taking place, is right in the heart of Napier, one of the oldest streets. The steep section going up the Hill where Jan Molenaar’s home is known to all Napierites as Breakneck Rd – it’s a bit of a rite of passage the first time you’re brave enough to go down there on your bike. It’s right beside the old cemetery and the botanical gardens where carols in the park is held. The gully opens right into the CBD so the noise of the shots has been heard throughout the city. I guess what I’m saying the place this is happening is very important to Napierites and it will be particularly devastating because of that.
I don’t want to get too florid in eulogising someone I didn’t know but I know we all are thankful that there are people like Len Snee who are willing to do the difficult job of being a Police Officer and it is a tragedy that he has been killed serving his community. Again, I know I’m not alone in wishing a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.
The family of Molenaar are clearly as devastated as everyone else about what has happened. Geoff’s sensitively handled interview with Molenaar’s brother on National Radio this was very moving and worth listening to when it comes online if you missed it.
Let’s all hope know that this terrible situation can be resolved without anyone else being hurt.
Thanks to the Standardistas for inviting me to write this.
– Clinton Smith
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