New Zealand police confiscate $170K pinball collection after “Kimzone” garage arcade arrest

A man from Christchurch, New Zealand, named Kim Michael Dozier had been running a makeshift pinball arcade called Kimzone from his garage. However, he has now lost his entire collection of arcade machines after police discovered it was a front for a drug-dealing operation. 

His prized collection of pinball machines, consisting of modern Stern machines like Jaws and Godzilla and vintage Williams machines, estimated at $150,000 to $170,000, worth more than the drugs, has been confiscated and will now be auctioned off to potential buyers.

Dozier’s Kimzone arcade was raided last May. Dozier was arrested, and a court recently ordered that his prized collection of pinball machines be seized under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

New Zealand Pinball Enthusiast Was Running “Kimzone” Pinball Arcade as a Drug Front

For context, Dozier had been running Kimzone out of his home for several years. The colorful makeshift garage arcade attracted neighbors, family members, and pinball fans. Dozier hosted local tournaments, and for the most part, everything appeared harmless. 

However, police later arrived with a search warrant and discovered that Dozier had been running an illegal drug operation. He had stashed large quantities of MDMA, magic mushrooms, cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, and LSD throughout his house, with some even hidden inside the pinball machines.

Police estimated the total street value of his narcotics stash at $125,000. To make matters worse, the authorities also discovered $45,500 in cash packaged in 11 separate bundles.

According to The Press, Dozier was finally sentenced on March 3, 2026, to four years and one month in prison at the Christchurch District Court. The presiding judge, Stephen O’Driscoll, stated at the hearing, “You were running a relatively sophisticated operation to support your lifestyle and deal in drugs, particularly in later stages when you were unemployed.”

The New Zealand High Court Orders $170K Pinball Collection To Be Confiscated and Auctioned Off 

According to The New Zealand Herald, the situation escalated when the High Court intervened this month. Justice Jonathan Eaton ordered that Dozier’s prized collection of pinball machines be confiscated, stating that they were “tainted property” and formed part of serious criminal activity.

Dozier’s pinball arcade collection is valued at around $150,000 to $172,000, which, in hindsight, is worth more than the drugs seized at his residence. The collection comprises modern Stern tables such as Jaws and Godzilla, alongside vintage Williams machines from previous decades. The machines have been seized and will now be auctioned off.

Dozier’s lawyer, Andrew McKenzie, addressed the High Court and stated that his client had accepted ownership of the pinball machines and did not oppose the police application. He further noted that some of the machines had been sold while Dozier was in police custody.

Still, many fans and local community members turned out for Dozier's court hearing. For many arcade gamers, Kimzone had simply been a cozy gaming space and nothing more. Now his prized collection of pinball machines will soon be sold to potential buyers.

Buy the Stern Pinball Metallica arcade pinball machine on Amazon here