Cordis Auckland to Mangawhai Heads private car — Chloe's business trip

October mornings in Auckland can be a bit tricky. The city tends to hold onto the dew, and the early sun often struggles to burn through the mist lingering over the harbour. It was one of those days when I pulled up to the Cordis. The lobby was a hive of activity, a mix of tourists and business types, but my fare, Chloe, was waiting patiently by the main entrance, a small, smart wheeled case beside her. She looked like she'd just stepped out of a magazine – impeccably dressed, the kind of person who doesn't look like they've travelled far, even though she was about to. She was originally from Canada, she mentioned, now based on the West Coast.

She was heading up to Mangawhai Heads, a place I know well. It’s a bit of a drive, especially on a Thursday, with the potential for the usual Auckland Harbour Bridge snarl-up and then the steady flow north. Her reason for the trip was business – a series of meetings for a company involved in sustainable packaging solutions, something she was clearly passionate about. She didn't go into a lot of detail, but the quiet confidence with which she spoke about it suggested she was a mover and shaker in her field. We cleared the city by about 9:30 AM, and the roads opened up. The landscape north of Auckland starts to transform almost immediately; the urban sprawl gives way to rolling green hills dotted with sheep and then the distinct, slightly wilder feel of the coastal countryside.

We chatted, as people often do, about New Zealand. She was clearly impressed with the scenery but also, I sensed, a little surprised by the pace of life outside the main centres. She’d spent a few days in Auckland already, doing the typical tourist rounds and attending some initial meetings, but this leg of the journey was about getting to the core of what she’d come here for. She told me about the innovative work her company was doing, aiming to replace traditional plastics with new, biodegradable materials derived from local sources. It sounded like important work, the kind of thing that makes you feel good about the contribution someone is making, even in a small way. She mentioned a particular innovation involving a type of seaweed-based film that was proving remarkably effective and compostable.

As we travelled north, the air began to change. You can feel the proximity to the sea before you see it. The vegetation shifts, becoming a bit more windswept, the pohutukawa trees starting to show their distinctive form even at this time of year, promising the fiery reds of summer. We stopped for a coffee and a stretch near Wellsford, a small town that serves as a final waypoint before the turn-off towards the coast. The usual café chatter was going on around us, the clatter of cups and the low hum of conversation. Chloe took a moment, breathing in the fresh air, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked out at the rural landscape. It was a moment of quiet appreciation, perhaps a contrast to the intense focus of her business dealings.

Back on the road, the final stretch to Mangawhai Heads felt longer, winding through increasingly rural roads. You get glimpses of the turquoise water through the trees, a hint of the dramatic coastline that awaits. My passenger pointed out a particular cove she’d visited on a previous, more relaxed trip to the area, recalling it as a perfect spot for kayaking. She had a good eye for detail and an appreciation for the natural beauty of the country, which always makes a journey more pleasant. She spoke about the challenges of bringing new technologies to market, the red tape, the established players, but also the growing consumer demand for sustainable options. It was clear she was deeply invested, not just professionally, but personally, in the success of her company's mission.

Arriving at Mangawhai Heads felt like entering a different world. The houses here are spread out, many nestled amongst native bush or overlooking the estuary and the ocean beyond. The air was salty and fresh. I helped Chloe with her bag, and she thanked me with that same quiet poise she’d shown at pickup. She’d be staying for a few days, she said, before heading back to Auckland for her flight. As I drove away, the wide expanse of the estuary came into view, shimmering under the increasingly bright autumn sun. It struck me then, this blend of intensive business and serene natural setting. Chloe was one of those people who seemed to navigate both with an effortless grace, a skilled professional bringing innovative ideas to a beautiful part of the world. A good trip, a good drive, and a good reminder of the diverse reasons people travel this country.