Lights, Camera… Ride Along!
On Saturday 2nd August, the Roxy Cinema in Miramar was buzzing with sirens of a different kind – not for an emergency, but for the exciting launch of the New Zealand Police’s brand-new car-cinema!
This was no ordinary vehicle. Once a working police car, it has been cleverly transformed into a mini cinema where visitors can step inside, sit back, and watch the latest series of the NZ Police vlog Ride Along. The vlog takes viewers behind the scenes of policing in New Zealand, offering a mix of action, humour, and genuine insight into the daily lives of officers.
We owe a special thank you to Flora, Senior Communications Advisor for NZ Police – and partner to Hamish, one of our own Big Buddies – for championing Big Buddy as the charity partner and making this event possible. Her creativity and drive brought together police, the community, and Big Buddy supporters for an unforgettable day.
From 10am, the Roxy forecourt was alive with conversation, smiles, and the curious excitement of stepping into a police car you could actually watch a movie in. Several Wellington District Police officers attended, chatting to attendees and meeting our boys. Little Buddies got the rare chance to sit in the car-cinema, enjoy a short Ride Along episode, and meet the vlog’s cast in person. There were plenty of laughs, selfies, and questions – and even Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stopping by to join in the fun.
Once the interactive morning wrapped up, it was popcorn time! Guests filed into the beautiful Roxy Cinema for the fundraising movie event. The afternoon began with a welcome from Wellington Mentoring Manager Dave Burcher, followed by a specially prepared Police showreel. Then it was straight into the main feature Fantastic Four: First Steps. Superheroes filled the screen, but the real heroes for us were in the audience – the Big Buddies, Little Buddies, police staff, and supporters who made the day possible.
The event wasn’t just entertaining, it was meaningful. For many of our Little Buddies, the day was a chance to experience something new alongside their mentors, and to connect with positive male role models in uniform, many of them being Big Buddies themselves. Events like this help reinforce the value of community, showing that behind the uniforms and job titles are people who care about making a difference.
We are so grateful to Wellington District Police, the Ride Along crew, our Big Buddies, and Little Buddies who came along. And to everyone who purchased a ticket, brought a friend, or made a donation even if they couldn’t attend – thank you. Your generosity helps us continue our mission of matching boys without their dad in their life to kind, reliable male mentors… and we always need more of them.
Here’s to more adventures, more community spirit, and more buddy magic.nce and a willingness to give things a go — even the most risk-averse stepped outside their comfort zones during the adventure activities.
