Every year, New Zealand celebrates Maori Language Week. A week in which the nation is encouraged to use Te Reo Maori, New Zealand’s indigenous language. So, we decided to do something visible to show our support during Maori Language Week. For the first time in NZ Police history, we changed the design of the official police car to display the word “Pirihimana”; the Maori word for police.

The Pirihimana Waka (police car) uses traditional Koru designs to create a strong connection with the Maori community. A community that has always been proud of their cultural heritage, and one that all New Zealanders love to incorporate into their own lives.

The design was specifically based on the “Turning of the tide”, a koru pattern, that represents the Police’s objective of achieving better outcomes for New Zealanders through working in partnership with Maori.

The Pirihimana car was released onto the streets of Auckland on 11 September, 2017; creating conversation in the press and social media. The public also made their own unofficial models and one fan even recreated it in hit video game, Grand Theft Auto.

Tama Morehu - The Police Iwi (Maori Tribal) Liaison Officer, has this to say about the car:

“In 14 years I haven’t seen anything else this positive, that can literally grab people and start a conversation. It breaks down those walls that are sometimes between us and the public; and I’ve seen that first hand.”

The car featured in a radio promotion for Mai FM, a national radio station that targets Maori demographic. The concept, design and artwork for the car was NZD$4,325, and with its success the Police are continuing to expand their fleet of custom cars across the whole country.