SkyCity Hotel to Paihia private car — Esteban's business trip

The early afternoon sun was already warm on the pavement outside the SkyCity Hotel when I pulled up. December was starting to crank up the heat, even for Auckland. My passenger was waiting by the entrance, looking a bit like a lost tourist, which I suppose he was, in a way. Esteban V, my booking said. He had that focused, slightly reserved air about him, the kind you often find in people heading north for business.

He’d flown in from Santiago via Los Angeles, he told me as he settled into the back seat. A long journey. He worked for a Chilean firm that specialised in renewable energy technology, and he was coming up to Paihia for a meeting with some local iwi about a joint solar project. He spoke with a soft accent, the syllables rolling out smoothly. He’d spent a couple of days in Auckland already, doing the usual tourist circuit, but mostly he was here for the work. The Bay of Islands was the next step in his itinerary.

We cleared the city centre without too much fuss, the motorway north opening up ahead of us. The distinctive green of the landscape was already starting to take over from the grey of the city. Past the Harbour Bridge, we were soon heading towards the northern reaches of the region. I know the route well, of course, but each trip has its own rhythm. Esteban was quiet for a long while, gazing out the window, probably processing the jet lag and the sheer scale of the country. I pointed out the rolling green farmland, the distinct shape of the Hauraki Gulf in the distance as we drove north. He nodded, appreciating the scenery.

We stopped for a coffee break at a small service centre just past Wellsford. He needed to stretch his legs, and I needed to refuel. While I was paying, I overheard him on his phone, speaking Spanish. When he rejoined me, he explained he was updating his wife back in Chile. He showed me a picture of their children – two young girls, all smiles. He said he missed them, but this work was important. It was about bringing sustainable energy solutions to communities, something he was clearly passionate about. He spoke about the potential in New Zealand, the clear skies and the forward-thinking approach. It wasn't just business for him; it felt like a calling.

As we continued north, the scenery shifted again. The hills became more pronounced, the vegetation denser. We passed through Brynderwyn and then headed towards the coast. The air grew a little saltier, and the occasional glimpse of blue water ahead promised the sea was close. He mentioned how different the light was here compared to home, how the greens were deeper. He was an observer, taking it all in.

The road into Paihia is always a gentle reveal. You round a bend, and suddenly there it is – the harbour, the boats, the inviting blue water. I pulled up to the accommodation he'd booked, a comfortable-looking place just a short walk from the wharf. He thanked me, his handshake firm. He still had the focused look, but now there was a hint of anticipation too. He was ready to get to work, but he’d also seen a bit of the country on the way. As he gathered his bags, he said, "Thank you, Harry. It was a good journey. It feels... hopeful here."

I watched him walk towards his hotel, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the bay. Another trip done, another story tucked away. The long drive back to Auckland felt quieter than usual, filled with the echoes of a Chilean businessman searching for blue skies and sustainable futures, both in the landscape and in his work.