Novotel Auckland Airport to Whakapapa private car — Jan's business trip

The Tuesday morning started like most others here at NZ Intercity Cabs in Auckland. A bit of a chill in the air, the sort that reminds you spring is still finding its feet, even though it was mid-September. My first pickup of the day was a slightly unusual one, not your typical hotel or airport terminal. It was an Airbnb on the outskirts of the city, a little place that had clearly seen better days but had a certain charm. The assignment: take a gentleman named Jan V. from his temporary lodgings to Whakapapa Village. A good few hours' drive south, taking in the changing landscape as we headed inland.

Jan was waiting for me outside the modest house, a suitcase at his side. He looked every bit the professional, neat and tidy, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He greeted me with a nod and a genuinely warm smile, and as we loaded his gear into the boot, I got a sense he was the type of traveller who appreciated a bit of quiet focus on the journey. He was originally from Belgium, he mentioned as we pulled away from the Auckland suburbs and began heading towards the Southern Motorway, but had been living in the City of Sails for a few years now.

As we joined the flow of traffic heading south, the city skyline gradually receded, replaced by rolling hills and scattered farmland. Jan settled into the back seat, a laptop opening onto his lap. He’d explained that he was in the country for some business meetings, though he was pretty tight-lipped about the specifics. That was fine by me; discretion is part of the job. I often find that the less said about the exact nature of a client’s work, the better. People travel for all sorts of reasons, and my role is simply to get them safely and comfortably from A to B.

Our route took us through the familiar territory we call the Bombay Hills, a stretch of road that can get a bit congested at peak times, but Tuesday morning traffic was reasonably kind to us. We passed through towns like Pokeno, famous for its ice cream, and Huntly, with its distinctive power station chimneys dotting the horizon. Jan seemed content to work on his laptop, occasionally glancing out the window as the landscape transitioned. The urban sprawl had given way to more open country, interspersed with the occasional dairy farm and stands of trees. He'd mentioned during our initial chat that he enjoyed seeing the countryside during his business trips, a welcome change from the often grey skies of his homeland.

As we continued towards Hamilton, the land ahead began to flatten out slightly. Jan closed his laptop and leaned back, his gaze now fixed on the passing scenery. He shared a little more about his life in Belgium, the close-knit family he had back home, and his appreciation for New Zealand’s more relaxed pace of life, even though he was here on business. It was a sentiment I heard often from overseas visitors. They came for the purpose of their trip, yes, but they always seemed to be captivated by Aotearoa’s natural beauty and the general vibe.

From Hamilton, our path swung southeast, taking us towards Cambridge. This part of the Waikato region is known for its horse studs and lush green pastures, and even in mid-spring, the grass was vibrant. The air outside, I imagined, was growing cooler as we climbed towards the central plateau. We passed through the quirky town of Tirau, with its corrugated iron sheep sculptures, a landmark that never fails to bring a smile to my face, even after all these years. Jan pointed them out, clearly amused by the artistic flair.

Then came the long, steady climb. The landscape started to change more dramatically. The rolling hills became steeper, and the vegetation shifted. Gone were the lush Waikato pastures, replaced by more tussocky country and pine forests. The air, even inside the warm cab, felt crisper, cleaner. We were heading towards the Volcanic Plateau, a region of stark beauty and powerful geological history. Whakapapa is perched on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, and you start to feel its presence long before you arrive.

Jan mentioned his fascination with volcanoes, having grown up in a country not known for its seismic activity. He spoke about the sheer power of the earth, the forces that shaped landscapes like this. He told me he’d always wanted to visit Tongariro National Park, and this business trip offered the perfect opportunity to combine his work with a bit of personal exploration. He also mentioned he had a few days after his meetings were done to hike some of the famous tracks, something he was clearly looking forward to.

As we neared our destination, the road wound upwards, becoming narrower and steeper in places. The views opened up, revealing vast expanses of the plateau, painted in shades of brown, green, and grey. And then, there it was – Whakapapa Village, nestled against the imposing silhouette of Ruapehu. It looked like a small, self-contained world, a gateway to the adventures that lay higher up the mountain. The air was noticeably colder now.

I pulled up outside the designated accommodation, a comfortable-looking lodge. Jan gathered his belongings, offering another warm smile and a sincere thank you. He spoke of the smooth journey and my local knowledge, which he’d appreciated. He was clearly eager to check in and prepare for his upcoming work, but also keen to explore the natural wonders that awaited him. As he stepped out of the cab, I watched him head towards the lodge, a lone figure against the grand backdrop of the mountain. It was a good feeling, knowing I’d played a small part in getting him to the start of his adventure, and wished him well for both his business and his personal explorations in this unique part of Aotearoa.