A Shocking & Violent Assault at Freyberg Beach

A calm Wellington Monday afternoon at Freyberg Beach turned into chaos when Graham Bloxham, the previous owner behind Wellington Live, was brutally attacked while taking photos. It has been discovered that the man who attacked him was motivated by online abuse sites like Vic Deals, and it has subsequently been advised that a site, Wellington Alive, a clone of Wellington Live, was also egging him on. He snapped when he saw the Wellington live tiny car. 

The violent assault left Bloxham bleeding and confused after being punched to the ground. He hit his head on a boulder next to the tugboat. When he got up, further punches rained down on his head. This left him with cuts and bruises all over, a concussion, dizziness, and a bleed behind his eye. This was a stark reminder of how quickly violence can erupt and the long-term damage for victims.

“It felt like I was hit by a car, and the man’s reaction felt like he was on P,” Bloxham said. “If my head had struck any harder, I could’ve had a brain bleed. The doctor said it could’ve been fatal.”

The assault happened in broad daylight, stunning people at the scene. However, police responded swiftly, keeping in contact with Bloxham as he recovered from what he described as one of the most terrifying experiences of his life. 

Police Response and Court Outcome

The police in Wellington, especially one officer, have been absolutely kind and have helped immensely. You don’t expect the cops to call you to advise that the man has been arrested and is now in court. Or tell you the new date is next month and then call with the outcome. Incredibly, they have the time for that. But it is helpful too. 

After the attack, the man was at large for two weeks. Then he was arrested and spent 4 nights in prison awaiting a court date, according to the police. He has now pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure, with sentencing early in December. 

Public Reaction and Personal Reflection

But what shocked the victim most wasn’t the attack itself; it was the public reaction.

“Some people said he deserved it. That the guy who smashed me up was a legend,” some online trolls commented. All comments were sent to the police.  “That’s been the hardest part to process.”

Bloxham also noted that many kind, compassionate people live in this city, too. “The police and Wellington community have been amazing, and I feel that our police are facing this sort of stuff regularly, but the system is working.”

Bloxham decided to share his story not out of anger, but to hold up a mirror to Wellington, to show how quickly online narratives can twist and how easily empathy can be lost in the noise.

Turning Frustration Into Understanding

In the aftermath, he admits feeling frustrated, not only with the attack but with how institutions and even parts of the Wellington City Council (WCC) responded. “It’s been a tough few years,” Bloxham said. “But I’m choosing to draw a line under that now.”

He wants his story to mark a turning point as a chance to rebuild relationships and open conversations that go deeper than outrage. “When you tell your story,” he added, “you can show people the real you and change the narrative that has been spread. It’s all about perspective.”

Looking Forward: Questions Worth Asking

As part of this story, Wellington Live plans to feature other voices to create a fuller picture of what the city stands for and where it’s heading.

Bloxham is saying Wellington is incredibly tight, but there is one point of separation – we have a huge tendency to believe bullshit about each other. He says he recognizes he has driven poorly, pushed hard at times, and continued to speak his truth. “But as the pages and sites have grown bigger than even mainstream media, so have the personal attacks and abuse. Moreover, a past city mayor recently stole our brand and rammed that up our noses. Absolutely brazen trolling, abuse, and carrying off our brand,” says Bloxham.

Question for Sara Jane, a Wellington Live member:

“What is it actually like working for One Network Wellington live? ” Is Bloxham a serial predator, someone who takes photos of kids, a bully, dishonest, or someone who doesn’t pay staff?

Absolutely not, I have been on the team for 3 years. I’ve never seen any of that.  I have received more than 10 emails directly putting the boot in and trying to get me to feel a certain way or leave.  This role is amazing, and the team works nicely together. We put our mental health at the center for me, staff, and our audiences. It’s just a busy and great uplifting place. And Graham is a positive force of nature. Definitely not all the things others say. I wish he would stop winding the council up and park properly, though!

Question for a Wellington business comms leader:

“How do you think Wellington’s culture of online debate and strong opinions shapes public trust, and can it be turned into something positive for the city?”

Haha! In the context of Graham, he was driving pretty hard there for a while. But more recently, I see a completely different approach.  He just grows and grows and tells it his way. Whilst that might seem great at getting reach, he can “skew stories.” And as a council, that isn’t what we want. 

A Call for Empathy

This story isn’t about blame or getting even, Bloxham is very quick to point out. It’s about reflection, being a supportive community, resilience, and celebrating the police. 

The victim’s message is simple but powerful: “Violence is never acceptable. The real heroes are the ones who support others, not the ones who hurt them.”

As Wellington moves forward, this moment serves as a reminder: empathy, not anger, is what will heal and unite Wellington.