Cordis Auckland to Tauranga private car — Preeya's business trip

The lobby of the Cordis, Auckland, always feels a bit like a different world. Polished marble, hushed conversations, the scent of expensive coffee. It was early October, the air still carrying that crispness of spring, and I pulled up just as the valet was ushering a young woman towards the door. She scanned the street, a quick, almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgement when she saw my car. My instructions said she'd be in a dark blue suit, exactly what she was wearing, with a sleek leather briefcase.

Her name was Preeya S., and she was heading to Tauranga for a series of meetings. She’d flown into Auckland the day before, a typical itinerary for many of my business clients – a quick hop from overseas into the main international hub. She offered a polite smile as she settled into the back seat, the briefcase placed carefully on the floor. There’s always a moment, isn’t there, where you gauge the mood of a client. Is it someone who wants to chat, or someone who needs to decompress and prepare? Preeya seemed to lean towards the latter. She took out her phone, scrolling through emails, her expression focused. I navigated out of the city via Symonds Street, merging onto the southern motorway, and let her have her quiet time.

The drive south out of Auckland towards the Waikato is a familiar one. The skyscrapers gradually give way to rolling hills, dotted with sheep, and the motorway transitions into wider, more open country. The Bombay Hills always present a bit of a crawl, especially on a Tuesday morning, even with the roadworks mostly cleared. Preeya, however, seemed unfazed, her attention still absorbed by her phone. Eventually, she put it away and looked out the window, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She mentioned she’d spent a few days in Auckland, mostly business, but had managed a quick visit to the Sky Tower. She’d never been to New Zealand before, and the vastness of the landscape was clearly something she was taking in. As we passed through Pokeno, the usual destination for a morning coffee stop, she asked if I knew of any good places to grab a quick lunch near Tauranga, something she could pick up before her afternoon appointments. I suggested a place in Katikati, known for its excellent sushi and local artisan products – a good compromise between speed and quality.

The route towards Tauranga, especially after the turn-off towards the Coromandel Peninsula, opens up with stunning views. The Karangahake Gorge is always a highlight, even on a dry autumn day like this. The sunlight catching the remnants of old mining equipment, the dense green bush climbing the hillsides – it’s a dramatic stretch of road. Preeya watched it all with quiet interest. She told me she worked in finance, specifically in sustainable investment, and was meeting with a couple of local businesses looking to attract overseas capital for green projects. It explained her earlier focus; she was likely finalising her talking points or reviewing proposals.

As we approached Tauranga, the air grew warmer, saltier. She could see the harbour in the distance, the blue expanse a stark contrast to the green hills we’d been traversing. She seemed to relax a little, the tension of the journey easing. She handed me the address for her first meeting, a corporate building near the waterfront. As we pulled up to the entrance, she thanked me, her smile more open now.

I watched her walk into the building, confident and poised, her briefcase swinging slightly. Another day, another journey. I took a moment to myself, the hum of the engine a familiar comfort, before turning back north, the empty passenger seat a quiet reminder of the stories that unfold on the road, one destination at a time.