Rhythm and Vines (often abbreviated as R&V or RnV) has become a rite of passage for young New Zealanders. A massive, three-day extravaganza culminating on New Years Eve/Day, this event has been entertaining Kiwis for almost two decades. And Segway PTs have played productive, supporting roles in event management and public safety on several occasions.

The first RnV was a one-day event beginning on the last day of 2003. The following year Segway New Zealand sent its one-and-only Segway e167* to help out organisers and entertain 5,500 guests. RnV is the kind of event where you never know what you might encounter next - perhaps even a glowing Manta-Seg-Ray somewhere in the night.

Within a few years RnV had grown to a three-day event with twice as many guests. A Segway x2 Turf played a key role at the nearby BW campgrounds, where most guests camped. When it comes to keeping an eye on things, a rider on a Segway PT can cover 9 times the area in a third of the time, making patrolling far more efficient. By 2010 RnV was selling-out with 25,000 guests - and has done ever since.

In December 2020 a Segway x2SE Patroller spent several weeks helping with the build-up. A contractor used the Segway PT to manage the construction of this sprawling event, saying "It saved my life!"

His productivity tripled, and he was able to check in with more subcontractors every hour. He could get from one corner of the vast site to another at sprinting speed, to quickly follow up on requests or attend to urgent matters. Compared to 2004, when a Segway e167** model managed perhaps 10km on NiMH battery packs when rolling across grassy rolling land, the latest x2SE Patroller with Extended Range Lithium battery packs powers across the same terrain for up to 40km between recharges (despite weight about twice the weight of the e167).

Segway PTs are available for hire from Segway NZ (0800 2 SEGWAY or segwaynz@icloud.com). We have every model and configuration available, including Steadicam-ready and custom solutions.

You can register for Rhythm and Vines 2021 here.

• * the Segway e167 was a very special model intended for productivity roles. It is the only Segway model to feature the e-Stand, where the device self-balances in place when the rider steps off. This was a much-loved feature by many - that disappeared at the end of 2006 when the Gen 1 family of Segway models was discontinued.
• ** Learn more about the e167 and other early models, evolution and pre-production models here.