Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport to Napier private car — Michel's holiday

The Naumi Hotel at Auckland Airport can feel a bit like another country itself, with its art installations and modern, sleek design. I pulled up just as a young couple, looking a little lost amidst the luggage trolleys, waved me over. Michel L. and his partner, Léa, were heading for the South Island, or so they'd originally booked. A quick change of plans had landed them with a mid-afternoon departure from Auckland for Napier, a last-minute shift to explore the Hawke's Bay instead of their planned Queenstown adventure. They were from Nouméa, New Caledonia, and while they'd been to NZ before, it had always been the bright lights of Auckland or the thermal wonders of Rotorua.

Michel, spotting the Intercity Cabs logo on the door, gave me a relieved smile. He explained, in a soft, accented English, that their itinerary had been upended by a friend's wedding invitation that had landed on their doorstep with very little notice. The wedding was in Havelock North, a stone’s throw from Napier, and suddenly their planned two-week sightseeing trip had a much more focused purpose on the North Island’s east coast.

The initial hours felt familiar, the usual southbound cruise through the Manukau Heads, then climbing the Bombay Hills. The September skies were still carrying a hint of winter's grey, though the sun kept trying to break through. Michel seemed content to just watch the changing scenery, occasionally pointing out a particularly lush farm or a dramatic sweep of the Waikato plains. Léa was more engaged with her phone, sorting out digital invitations, but would look up periodically to absorb the panorama.

We passed through Tirau, the corrugated iron sheep sculptures a familiar, quirky landmark. The landscape began to change as we headed inland; rolling hills gave way to wider pastures, and the air took on a drier feel. There’s a certain stillness to this part of the country, a quiet agricultural rhythm that’s quite different from the hustle of the city. Michel mentioned they’d always imagined New Zealand as dramatic mountains and fjords, the kind they'd seen in brochures for the South Island. He was intrigued by the gentler, more pastoral beauty unfolding before him.

It wasn't until we were well past Taupō, with the road straightening out and the scent of pine forests beginning to fill the air, that Michel started sharing more about New Caledonia. He spoke of the humidity, the vibrant colours of the lagoon, and the slower pace of life back home, which he confessed they sometimes found a little *too* slow.

He told me how he worked in finance, a steady, predictable career, but Léa was an artist, full of vibrant energy. They met because she’d been commissioned to paint a mural at his office building. He spoke about her latest exhibition, one that had captured the essence of the ocean surrounding their island home, and I got the sense that this trip, though unplanned in its final destination, was a much-needed breath of fresh air for both of them.

We stopped for a quick coffee and a bite at a service station just before the Napier city limits. The late afternoon sun was beginning to cast long shadows across the plains, bathing everything in a warm, golden light characteristic of Hawke's Bay. Michel looked out towards the distant ranges, a thoughtful expression on his face.

As Napier came into view, with its distinctive Art Deco architecture clustered around the harbour, Michel made a comment about how surprised he was by the variety of New Zealand's landscapes. He’d expected one thing and found another, and he seemed genuinely delighted by the discovery. He mentioned that while the wedding was the primary reason for the detour, he was now looking forward to exploring Napier’s unique history and perhaps finding some local art to take home.

We arrived at their accommodation, a charming villa in Havelock North, just as dusk was settling. Michel thanked me, his smile broader now, clearly more relaxed than when he'd first emerged from the airport hotel. He said something about how sometimes the best journeys are the ones you don't entirely plan. I watched them walk towards the door, two figures silhouetted against the warm glow of the porch light, ready for their unexpected adventure.