Very nice item Daryl. I haven't seen one anywhere before so it's possible it's a NZ only release but I don't really know for sure of course.
I believe the PVC Soccer Smurf was a NZ only release though...it makes sense since you said they were more common than the regular common variation that we grew up with here and the rest of the world.
Dyar
Cool I spotted an identical maze game on the local auction site two years ago, so I'll keep my eyes open for that too. Famously ofcourse now that I'm looking, I bet I don't see any.
When I rediscovered smurfs and obtained the soccer smurf I was surprised at the red and yellow colouring.. it wasn't how I had remembered it, given the all whites (or German team version). I have since had three of these all whites versions and stopped trying to get them when I got the good one I have now. Most haven't survived well with the key ring pulled out (like mine) or ball broken off and many are badly rubbed. Thats the problem when kids get them...
Actually there is a website to contact old friends.. I spotted some of my old school chums on there recently. I may get back in touch with them and descretely slip it into the conversation.
Okay so next question is how can you be descrete about smurfs.
Maybe I should refrain from starting my conversations with them...
"Hi remember me"
"no"
"well I was at school with you when you had a big smurf collection"
"go away you creepy person"
"do you still have you smurf collection?"
"I'll call the police and get a restraining order if you don't leave now"
"You don't happen to have the police smurf, judge smurf and prisoner smurf too do you?"
....
Yes I see my conversation skills may need to be worked on.