Takapuna address to Tutukaka private car — Lars's holiday

The little details always stick with you, don’t they? For Lars, it was the way the sunlight caught the dust motes dancing in the air of the Takapuna living room. He’d been staring at them for a good minute, I think, before turning to me with a slow, thoughtful smile. Outside, the spring morning was already warm, a promising start to October. He was heading north, all the way to Tutukaka, a place I knew well – the gateway to the Poor Knights Islands, a real gem.

Lars was originally from Denmark, though he’d been living in Auckland for a few years. He was on a personal pilgrimage of sorts, he explained, taking time off work to properly explore parts of the North Island he’d only seen in pictures. He had a camera slung around his neck, a serious-looking piece of kit, and he’d spent the morning photographing the light, he said, before he even left the house. He was heading up to the coast for a few days, keen to do some kayaking and just soak in the scenery.

The drive north from Takapuna is always a familiar one. We passed through the usual spots – Wairau Road, Esmonde Road, then across the bridge. The traffic was starting to build as we hit the Northern Motorway proper, typical for a Monday. Lars wasn’t phased, however. He seemed content to just watch the world go by, occasionally snapping a photo out the window. He’d chosen the private car for this trip, he mentioned, because he wanted the freedom to stop where he pleased, and importantly, to make the journey itself part of the experience, not just a means to an end.

We made our first stop at the Brynderwyn Hills lookout. The views over the rolling farmland and out towards the coast were spectacular that morning. Lars was out of the car before I’d even turned off the engine, camera already in hand, composing shots with an artist’s eye. He talked a little about the light back in Denmark, how it was different, softer maybe, and how he was enjoying the sharper, more intense light of Aotearoa.

Continuing on, we drove through Whangarei and then headed east towards Tutukaka. The road narrowed, winding through bush and emerging onto coastal vistas that took your breath away. He’d told me he loved the sense of discovery, the way each bend in the road could reveal something new. He pointed out a little beach café near Langs Beach, and I pulled over. He wanted a coffee and a pastry, and also, he said, to get a picture of the waves crashing on the shore.

The final approach to Tutukaka was stunning. The marina came into view, a cluster of boats bobbing in the clear blue water, framed by lush green hills. Lars was quiet again as we pulled up to his accommodation. He thanked me, his smile genuine. “It’s been perfect, Harry,” he said. “Just what I needed.” As I drove away, I thought about his appreciation for the light, for the quiet moments on the road. Sometimes, it’s the simple journey, the seeing, that makes all the difference.