Auckland CBD office to Hamilton private car — Liam's business trip

July in Auckland can be a bit bleak, can’t it? The grey skies hang low, and the chill seems to seep right into your bones. I was heading into the CBD on a Tuesday morning, the kind where everyone’s rushing for their first coffee before facing the office, and my sharpest suit felt a bit out of place against the dark drizzle. Liam was meeting me outside his corporate tower, a place with more glass than a greenhouse. He’s a young chap, probably late twenties, smartly dressed in a dark suit, carrying a slim briefcase. He looked like he belonged in that high-rise, and I wondered what kind of business took him from the heart of the city down to Hamilton.

He settled into the back seat once I’d loaded his case, a quiet nod as I pulled away from the kerb. We joined the usual crawl through Newton and Ponsonby, heading towards the Southern Motorway. Liam seemed absorbed in his phone, his brow furrowed slightly. I figured he was reviewing notes for whatever meeting awaited him in the Waikato. The rain was starting to ease up as we cleared the city fringes, and the Bombay Hills loomed ahead, a familiar green barrier against the often-tumultuous Auckland weather. I kept the radio on low, a familiar jazz station I always favour for these kinds of quiet drives. It fills the silence without being intrusive.

As we dropped down into the Waikato, the landscape opened up. Rolling green paddocks, hedgerows, and the occasional farmhouse dotted the scenery. Liam eventually put his phone away and looked out the window. He commented on the cattle, remarking how vast the country must seem to newcomers, even though he’s a Kiwi. It turns out he’d spent the last few years working overseas, in London actually. He’d just flown back in a couple of days ago and this was his first trip out of the city since returning. He was heading down to Hamilton to start winding up a project he’d been managing remotely. The company had a branch there, and this was his chance to tie up loose ends before transitioning to a new role back in Auckland.

I took the usual route, through Pokeno for a brief, unscheduled stop. Liam mentioned he needed a quick caffeine boost and a stretch. The small industrial town always feels a bit like a pause button on the motorway. While he grabbed a flat white from the service station, I topped up the tank. The air was cool and damp, smelling of wet earth and distant farmland. We chatted briefly about the weather, the usual pleasantries, and then headed back onto SH1. Liam seemed more relaxed after his break, the tension in his shoulders less pronounced as he watched the familiar Waikato landscape roll by. He told me a little about his experience in London – the fast pace, the constant crowds, the sheer history of the place. It sounded exciting, but also exhausting.

He’d been in finance. High-pressure roles, long hours. He said coming back to New Zealand felt like a breath of fresh air, even with the grey July skies. He was looking forward to what he called 'a bit more space' in his life, both literally and figuratively. He spoke of wanting to spend more time outdoors, maybe get back into hiking, something he’d rarely had the time for in the UK. It was interesting to hear him frame his return home not just as a career move, but as a lifestyle choice. He wasn't complaining about his overseas stint, not at all, but there was a definite sense of relief in his voice as he spoke about being back on home soil, even for business.

We passed through Huntly, the fields flatter now, the highway nearing its end. The conversations became more intermittent as we approached Hamilton, each of us lost in our own thoughts for the final stretch. Liam was grateful for the smooth ride, and I just nodded, pleased to have provided a comfortable transition for him. As we neared his office building in Hamilton Central, he offered a sincere thank you. He mentioned he’d appreciate a bit of quiet time to himself before his next meeting, and I totally understood. I dropped him right at the entrance, his briefcase in hand, ready to face whatever awaited him. I wished him well with the project wrap-up and the move back into his new Auckland role.

Driving away, I thought about Liam’s story. It’s always striking how many Kiwis head overseas for experience and then return with a renewed appreciation for what we have here. There’s a certain grounding that comes with travel, a recalibration of priorities. As I headed north towards Auckland, the afternoon light was beginning to fade, painting the wet roads with a soft, diffused glow. Another journey complete, another story shared, and the quiet hum of the engine carrying me home.