Wow, it’s April already! 2022 is moving on quickly which some may say is a good thing. The challenges continue.
A focus for this issue is on travel and transport. As part of this focus, we are celebrating the great kiwi road trip. Coincidentally, Michelle and I were keen on a change of scenery so in March we did over 4000km driving from Takapuna to Central Otago; a great road trip that has inspired my feature in this issue. We also chat to some well-known Shore people about their own favourite kiwi road trips. These ‘roadies’ have become a pretty good substitute as we see more of our backyard with borders closed.
The travel industry has been decimated over the past two years. As the world starts to return to some sort of normality we asked Mary Buckley of Shore Travel in Milford – a great supporter of the magazine – to provide a feature for April. Many will be itching to start travelling overseas and Mary and her team have some great options to consider.
For something a bit different this month our local MP Simon Watts has done the interviewing job for us and put some questions to new National Party leader Christopher Luxon who is doing an excellent job in helping to turn the party around. I reckon it’s great that the National Party is on its way back after a problem period. A strong opposition and a real alternative are good for the country.
Mother’s Day is in early May, so we also provide some ideas on how you can be well prepared to spoil Mum on Sunday May 8th. You don’t need to leave the Shore to spoil mum. Love my mum!
During our stay down south Michelle and I did quite a bit of cycling on our electric bikes. We did a day on the new Lake Dunstan Trail between Cromwell and Clyde that was fantastic. Over the past year I have taken on the role of co-chairing (with Craig Donaldson) an initiative to build a similar trail (we reckon better!) between Puhoi and Mangawhai, via Warkworth, Matakana, Leigh, Pakiri, Te Arai etc. The trust is creating a world class 117km trail right on our doorstep just to the north. It’s exciting. Visit: www.mctt.org.nz to find out more. Shore people will love it!
Hope you enjoy this issue. Have a great April.
Aidan Bennett, QSM
Publisher, Channel Magazine
Founder & MD, Benefitz
Email: aidan@benefitz.co.nz
