NZ's first electric police car to be immortalised in Matchbox miniature

Several years ago, the NZ Police unveiled one of its most interesting fleet additions to date — a fully electric BMW i4. Now, a few years later, the frontline plug-in is set to be produced in miniature by toy brand Matchbox. 

Over the weekend, the Mattel-owned brand held its annual Matchbox Gathering of Friends event in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The annual convention sees Matchbox staff members and designers showcase future products to enthusiasts.

The fully decorated BMW i4 NZ Police car, photographed by collector @matchboxluke, was one of several new ‘mainline’ releases showcased, ahead of its official release to stores around the world in 2027. 

Along with being wrapped in New Zealand’s unmistakable blue and yellow police decoration, the pint-sized police car also features ‘Pirihimana’ text on its front doors — the Te Reo Māori word for police officer. 

The NZ Police revealed its new i4 in 2023 as part of an ‘operational electric vehicle trial’. Five i4 frontline cars were rolled out nationally, with each of these cars still remaining on the local fleet today. 

“This vehicle, the BMW i4, was selected for the trial because of its suitability most closely matching the police’s operational requirements,” said NZ Police commissioner at the time, Andrew Coster. 

“The New Zealand Police is committed to being a sustainable organisation. It’s really important we play our part, because we have 20% of the government’s light vehicle fleet. For us to be successful in achieving our public sector targets, police very much needs to be part of that journey.”

The BMW i4 police car wasn’t the only new release with New Zealand flavour to be shown off by Matchbox over the weekend. 

In slides detailing its upcoming ‘opening parts’ models, it also showcased a Subaru Legacy RS decorated with a blue and yellow livery inspired by local legend ‘Possum’ Bourne’s 1992 Castrol entry, which he campaigned on both sides of the Tasman.

Whilst the model omits many of the car’s original sponsor logos (and has No. 4 on the doors, the number of Bourne’s ARC-winning teammate Rob Herridge), it does feature Bourne’s ‘Poss’ number plate on the rear bumper.