Hamilton to Auckland City private car — Tui's conference trip

The rain had stopped, thank goodness. March in Hamilton can still be a bit dodgy, weather-wise, but the sky was clearing to a bruised purple as I pulled up to the hotel. The lobby was that sort of slick, modern thing with low lighting, and a few suited people were milling about. I wasn't sure who I was looking for, exactly, but then a man stepped out, taller than most, with a distinctive, welcoming smile. He was carrying one of those slim travel bags. That must be him, I thought. He looked exactly like the booking photo.

He introduced himself as Tui M. Tui was in Hamilton for a two-day conference – something about sustainable agriculture, a field I know precious little about, but I’m always interested to hear people talk about what they’re passionate about. He was heading back to Auckland that afternoon, looking forward to getting home before the Friday rush got too intense. He seemed relaxed, the conference clearly having gone well. He mentioned he was presenting on their work back home in Samoa, which was exciting for him. That was the main reason for the trip, really – sharing knowledge and making connections.

We set off north. The drive from Hamilton back to Auckland is a familiar one for me, familiar concrete and farmland giving way to the inevitable urban sprawl. As we passed through Pokeno, he pointed out the famous bacon-cured doughnut shop. I know it well, but he hadn’t tried one before. He asked if I wanted to stop, but I said we were making good time. He chuckled and said he’d have to make a point of it on his next visit. He’d been to Auckland a few times before, but this visit was almost entirely conference-focused.

He spoke about the challenges of implementing new farming techniques in Samoa, particularly with the specific climate and soil conditions. He was obviously very knowledgeable, and passionate about finding solutions that worked for his community. He told me about the traditional ways of farming, and how they are trying to blend that with modern innovations. It sounded like a delicate balance, but one that was clearly important to him. He mentioned that his family were all farmers, and that it felt good to be able to contribute to that legacy in a meaningful way. He had a good, deep voice, the kind that carries weight and warmth.

As we got closer to the city, the traffic started to build, as it always does on a Friday afternoon. The light was fading, reflecting off the wet patches on the road from earlier rain showers. He said that he'd be heading home to see his family soon, that they missed him. He showed me a picture on his phone of a beautiful beach, palm trees swaying gently, and two young children playing in the shallows. He said that was his motivation, his 'why'. It was a simple, heartfelt sentiment, and I could see the pride in his eyes.

I dropped him off right at his doorstep in Auckland City. He thanked me for the smooth ride, and I wished him well with his work and his travel home. Watching him walk up the path, I remembered the picture of the beach. It’s journeys like these, hearing snippets of people’s lives and their hopes, that make driving for me more than just getting from A to B. It’s about connecting, however briefly.