Fatal Napier siege to be made into TV drama

Aremed Offenders Squad members at the Napier scene. Photo / Richard Robinson

A notorious episode in New Zealand criminal history is to be made into a television documentary.

City Under Siege will recount the two-hour drama of Jan Molenaar's 50-hour standoff with police in Napier in May 2009.

During the standoff he shot dead Senior Constable Len Snee and injured officers Bruce Miller and Grant Diver and civilian Len Holmwood before killing himself.

Mr Snee's widow Vicki has backed the drama and said it was important it was an accurate portrayal, the Fairfax Media reported today.

Mr Holmwood stopped Molenaar killing two police officers and said he would part in the project which would be screened on television next year, backed by $2.6 million of public money.

Mr Holmwood said he would be interviewed and the drama would include actors and some of the people involved.

"I think it's important we get a look at the final cut before they release it.

"I'm a bit over it now, but it is a major part of our history, I suppose."

Molenaar's father, Paul, 77, said he was not interested in taking part.

"I would rather not get involved because it's been such a nasty thing. It's affected us all very much."

Mr Diver said he understood the public wanted to know what happened.

"It was the worst day of my life. The fact you have to relive things doesn't help, but the main thing is to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Eastern district commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle, who led the police operation, supported the production.

"It's important we document accurately all the events of the siege and the days that followed, provided it's done with the proper respect for those who were impacted."

-NZPA