Police in the North Island town of Taupo had been using two of the electric-powered Segways, bought by the local Rotary Club, to patrol the town's streets, Taupo police area commander Inspector Steve Bullock said.
But the two futuristic scooters are now sitting unused because they do not fit into any category under current vehicle legislation.
"In the absence of any class they by default become a motor vehicle, which you can't ride on a footpath or in a public place," Bullock said.
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Technically, anyone riding a Segway in public was breaking the law under current legislation, he said.

