“We talked about party themes with his dad, and he was completely adamant.
“It had to be a Toyota Camry theme. Nothing else.”
Kyi’s love for the Camry model began earlier this year during a trip to visit his grandparents.
Told he could pick a birthday present at Kmart, Kyi sprinted straight to the toy car aisle and grabbed a Toyota Camry toy car.
With his birthday nearing, Vincent wanted to give Camry-obsessed Kyi something she knew he would love. She emailed her local Ilam Toyota dealership to ask if they had any merchandise she could buy for her son’s party.
Brooke Vincent originally planned to keep celebrations low-key before her son’s fifth birthday next year. Photo / Supplied
Mark Mills, CEO of Ilam Toyota, said that the email made their week.
“When we heard about his Camry-themed party, we knew we had to help him see the real deal,” Mills said.
The dealership organised a 2025 Camry demonstrator, signed a card for Kyi and printed Camry colouring sheets, turning the party into a full Toyota takeover.
His birthday cake featured a Camry complete with towbar and trailer, there was a custom Toyota piñata and sugar cookies iced with the logo, with Kyi even helping paint the decorations himself.
“He had to be involved; that was the rule,” Vincent said.
“Red is also his favourite colour, so the whole theme just fell into place.”
For a child with a big imagination – and a very specific obsession – it turned into the perfect day.
Kyi insisted on a Toyota Camry theme for his fourth birthday party. Photo / Supplied
But the surprises were not over. Toyota lent Vincent the car so she could surprise her son at school.
“He walked out and saw the Camry sitting there and was so excited,” Vincent said.
“He walked around and called it amazing.
“He couldn’t believe he got to sit in a real-life one.”
Kyi can now identify a Camry, RAV4 and Hilux on the road. Photo / Supplied
Kyi can now identify a Camry, RAV4 and Hilux on the road – helped along by Vincent’s partner, Alex, who recently bought his first Hilux.
He also has opinions on vehicle accessories, especially towbars.
“He checks every Toyota we drive past,” Vincent said.
“In his mind, every car needs a towbar. Non-negotiable.”
Jazlyn Whales is a multimedia journalist based in the Christchurch newsroom.