Obituary - Senior Constable Clay Polamalu – New Lynn Community Constable

Obituary

Senior Constable Clay Polamalu – New Lynn Community Constable

Senior Constable Clay Polamalu passed away on Friday 14 January 2022 at his Point Chevalier home, surrounded by family. Clay was 57 years of age. He had medically retired from the Police in 2020.

He was farewelled at a service at Eden Park on Tuesday 18 January, attended by almost 500 friends, colleagues and family. He lay at his family home before a service at his birthplace, Maketu, in the Bay of Plenty at the Whakaue marae before burial at the Wharekahu Cemetery on Thursday 20 January 2022.

Clay was from a large Maketu family, and was related to the late Peter Tapsell, former MP and Minister of Police. He moved to Auckland at 12 years of age and attended Mt Roskill school and Mt Roskill Grammar School.

A talented rugby player, Clay was a member of the Mt Roskill Senior rugby team for a number of years. He also

played rugby in the UK on a working holiday as a young man.

After returning from Europe, he joined the NZ Police, working on the front line and in Youth Aid in West Auckland before taking the role of the New Lynn Community Constable in 2012.

The many speakers at Clay’s Auckland service spoke of a loving husband and father, a wise, kind, and passionate man, and a dedicated officer.

He is survived his wife Carolyn, daughter Kayla, and son Joseph, who are both graduates of Victoria University, Wellington.

He will be sadly missed by his loving family, numerous friends, the New Lynn community, and the Police family.

Any messages of condolence can be sent to warren.strand@police.govt.nz who will pass them on to Clay’s family.

Warren Strand - New Lynn Police Station