Nelson Mail photographer honoured at national awards

Sunday, 24 May 2026

A stirring image of family at the vigil for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was part of Braden Fastier’s winning portfolio.

Nelson Mail photographer Braden Fastier has been awarded for his “consistent and considered approach” at the New Zealand Media Awards.

At a ceremony in Auckland on Friday, Fastier took home the trophy for Best Photography – News.

He was also a finalist for Photographer of the Year, while the Nelson Mail was a finalist for Regional Paper of the Year.

Judges Darrian Traynor and Penny Stephens said Fastier’s entry showed a “considered approach and style showing good camera craft and eye for composition”.

“Braden is proof that high quality news photography doesn’t just have to exist in the big city.”

Three of the photos in Fastier’s winning entry were from the Lyn Fleming story, which concluded on Monday when Hayden Tasker was found guilty of murdering the Nelson police officer on New Year’s Day, 2025.

Fastier waited for hours to get the shot of police escorting Hayden Tasker into court.

His photos came from the vigil on the church steps, the state funeral and when Tasker was taken to court.

For the latter, Fastier waited for hours to make sure he got the first image of the accused, who had name suppression and covered his face.

“I thought it was important to cover his arrival, because it was a big piece of the story that wasn't covered visually,” Fastier said.

The funeral photo came about because the Nelson Mail had built trust with police, he said.

“Through the police I had been asked to cover the state funeral for the police and the family.”

Marguerite Besier and Roger Croft were rescued in the middle of the flood at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri.

Another photo showed Kaiteriteri’s Marguerite Besier and Roger Croft looking back on what was left of their home after the July 2025 floods, while another captured firefighters battling a blaze in Richmond.

“I happened to be in Stoke when I heard all the sirens, then seeing the thick smoke down in Richmond, headed that way,” he said. “It is not that often that we arrive at the scene when the scene evolves so quickly.”

Fastier was on the spot to capture firefighters battling a house fire in Richmond after hearing sirens and seeing the plume of smoke from Stoke.

Fastier said it was “pretty awesome” to be honoured alongside the best in New Zealand media.

“There is a lot of talented photographers in New Zealand, and the competition is pretty tough … I am honoured to be part of the small but talented team at the Nelson Mail. We punch above our weight often, and it's great to be recognised.”

Nelson Mail editor Warren Gamble said Fastier’s award was well-deserved recognition of his superb work.

“Braden’s dedication to his craft and understanding of the stories he covers means he is invariably in the right place at the right time to capture the essence of what is happening.

Fastier was asked to cover the funeral of Lyn Fleming for the police and the family.

“His eye for composition and colour also makes his photos compelling.”

Gamble, who recently took a temporary role in Stuff Masthead Publishing’s national news directing team, said he was proud the Mail had again been recognised as a finalist.

It reflected the quality and commitment of the paper’s small newsroom to tell the stories that mattered in the region, he said.

The category this year was won by the Rotorua Daily Post which was also selected as the best paper overall.