Road Trip To Kaitaia

It was 6:00 AM when the alarm sounded, Time to rise and brew that essential first cup of coffee, and wake my daughter, Amy. We had a long day ahead, heading north to Kaitaia.

The plan was simple but meaningful, visit an old friend I’d worked with years ago, back when he ran a security business in Ruakaka called Industrial Security Services. Outside, the winter air was crisp, and the streets lay silent under the early morning stillness. The drive ahead would be long, but the thought of catching up with an old mate made the early start worthwhile.

In the kitchen, the kettle’s hiss was a familiar comfort. I poured the coffee, the rich aroma filling the room, and took that first glorious sip still half asleep, yet already feeling the day’s promise.

“Amy,” I called softly down the hall. “Time to get up!”

She answered with a groan, but soon appeared in her hoodie, hair tousled from sleep, eyes blinking at the light. By 7:00 AM, we were on the road. Mist hovered low over the fields, and our headlights carved narrow beams through the haze. The sky was still deep with night, but dawn’s first hints began to brighten the horizon.

We passed through quiet towns and long, empty stretches of highway, where the occasional farmhouse light glowed like a distant beacon. The heater purred in the car, and Amy scrolled through her playlist, filling the air with soft background music.

As the sun finally climbed above the horizon, washing the sky in pinks and golds, I found myself thinking about my old friend about the years since we’d last met and the stories we’d share later over tea or coffee.

Sometimes, it’s not the destination that matters most, It’s the early starts, the peaceful drives, and the quiet joy of sharing the road with someone you love.

Our route carried us through places like Towai, Kawakawa, and Ohaeawai, before winding up through the mighty Mangamuka Gorge. By the time we finally rolled into Kaitaia, the day felt full already and it had only just begun.