‘Sudden loss’: Employment advocate dies on holiday in Lithuania on New Year’s Day
Sunday, 4 January 2026
A Kiwi employment advocate who “fought tirelessly” for people’s rights has died.
Christchurch resident Ashleigh Fechney, 32, died while on holiday in Lithuania on New Year’s Day, her friends said in a statement on Sunday.
The statement did not say what Fechney died from. The cause of death is unknown and it is being described as a sudden death.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the sudden loss of Ashleigh Fechney (Streb), known to many as Ashleigh the Advocate,” they said.
“Ashleigh had a rare combination of strength and compassion, and an unwavering drive to change things for the better.”
The statement went on to say Fechney believed deeply in fairness and dignity and gave her time, energy, and heart to anyone who needed help.
She was on holiday with her husband Andy when she died.
“Lithuania was not just a place Ashleigh and Andy were visiting. It was a trip to explore the culture of a country they felt deeply connected to, as they were well into the process of adopting children from there and building a beautiful life with them,” the statement said.
“Ashleigh’s death has left a profound absence for Andy, her family, and the friends, colleagues and clients who relied on her wisdom, honesty, and care.”
Andy was with Fechney when she died and his parents have now flown over to support him.
A Givealittle has been set up to cover the costs of her memorial, as well as logistic support for Andy who is in Europe and facing both immediate and ongoing costs as he navigates the “sudden and heartbreaking loss”.
Fechney worked as a legal aid provider and in August she was paid $6000 for a case representing an unjustifiably dismissed employee. Meanwhile, the employer paid over $160,000 in legal fees.
Fechney said the remuneration is so low that it deters legal aid providers.
'I'm not going to say that I earn less than minimum wage, but when you consider that I am a business owner and I have taxes, GST, overheads and all the rest of it, I am essentially working pro bono,' she said.