QT Auckland to Papamoa private car — Budi's business trip

It’s always a bit of a winding road from the QT Auckland, especially when you’re trying to find a wee Airbnb tucked away in one of the older city streets. The GPS has a good chuckle at me sometimes on these inner-city jobs. I eventually found the place tucked up a small lane, the kind that looks like it might lead to a dead end. The driver there before me had clearly had a bit of a time of it, judging by the scuff marks on the kerb. It was a brisk Wednesday morning in late March, the air still held a bit of that summer warmth but with a definite autumn crispness creeping in.

Budi emerged from the Airbnb, looking sharp in a well-fitted suit that probably cost more than my car. He had a compact, smart-looking travel bag slung over his shoulder. He was Indonesian, friendly eyes behind modern glasses, and explained he was in Auckland for a couple of days of meetings that had just wrapped up. His next stop was Papamoa, near Tauranga, for another business engagement. He’d been staying in that little Auckland bolthole before heading south. He’d booked me through the website, just like many of my clients these days, and appreciated the ease of it. We loaded his bag into the boot, and I made sure he was comfortable in the back, settling in for the drive.

The usual suspects on the southern motorway – Bombay Hills always seems to have a bit of traffic, no matter the day or time, and this was no exception. We crawled along for a bit, giving me time to observe Budi. He wasn't overtly chatty, but he had a quiet attentiveness about him. He’d look out the window, observing the passing landscape with a thoughtful expression, occasionally glancing at his phone. He told me he worked in logistics, specifically in supply chain management for a multinational firm. It’s a world I only vaguely understand, full of containers, shipping routes, and complex international networks, but he spoke about it with a quiet passion that made it sound fascinating. He’d spent the last few days in Auckland meeting with local partners, laying the groundwork for some new initiatives.

We stopped for a coffee and a stretch at the BP Oasis in Pokeno. It’s a good, reliable spot, clean facilities and decent coffee. Budi opted for a flat white, and he seemed to appreciate the brief respite. He mentioned that he’d only been based in Indonesia for about a year himself, having transferred from a previous role in Europe. He’d found the transition interesting, adapting to a different pace and different cultural nuances. He spoke of Jakarta with a fondness, but also with a clear understanding of its challenges. He was heading to the Tauranga office for a few days of intense work before flying back to Jakarta early the following week.

The drive through the Karangahake Gorge was the highlight of the leg towards Tauranga. I always enjoy that stretch; the trees are so dense, and the remnants of the old gold-mining days are visible if you know where to look. It feels a world away from the motorways. Budi seemed particularly taken with it, asking me about the tunnels and the old railway line. I pointed out a few of the more accessible historical markers. He said it reminded him a little of some of the more remote, scenic areas he'd visited in Java, but with a distinctly cooler, lusher feel. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and bush.

We dropped south from the gorge towards the coast, the landscape opening up as we approached the Bay of Plenty. The weather was holding, a pleasant afternoon sun casting long shadows. As we got closer to Papamoa, Budi shared a bit more about his current project. It involved optimising shipping routes between New Zealand and his company’s Asian hubs, aiming to reduce transit times and costs. He spoke of the complexities of customs, port congestion, and the environmental considerations involved. It was clear he was deeply invested in finding efficient, sustainable solutions.

I pulled up outside his Papamoa apartment block just as the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. He thanked me for the smooth ride, remarking that it had been a welcome chance to decompress after his Auckland meetings and before diving into the next round. He mentioned that he enjoyed the quiet journey, giving him time to collect his thoughts. I wished him well with his work and watched as he disappeared into the building, his smart travel bag perfectly complementing the modern architecture. As I turned the car back towards Auckland, the sky was painted in soft hues of orange and purple. Another successful trip, another story filed away from the road.