Weekend Drive

THE SPECS

● New Zealand’s highest-selling vehicle.

● Totally awesome for camping, hunting and fishing

● Colour: white

● From around $60K

THE CAR

Like I said, mine’s white, unlike the one in this picture. But like the one in this picture, New Zealand’s most popular and highest-selling vehicle handled the rapids below McLaren Falls, in the Bay of Plenty, like a dream. The river route proved an excellent detour from State Highway 29 leading into Tauranga over the Kaimai Ranges.

THE DRIVE

Just out of Matamata, as I approached the Kaimais, I see it: a large, wild boar dashing off the road and into the scrub. I indicate that I will be pulling over to the left - on to the shoulder of the road, in New Zealand’s most handsome and highestselling vehicle. I hit the brakes (front: disc - ventillated, rear: drum) aggressively and the tyres (18-inch alloys) kick up a cloud of grit and dust as I screech to a halt on the gravel. The handling and manoeuvrability is so sensational I briefly forget about the pig. The dogs are howling with excitement in the back (a roller shutter tray lid, 1549mm long, 1560mm wide). I leap down from the truck (using the grab handle) and release the mutts while brandishing a knife to finish the job. I carry the beast back up the bank to the most popular ute in NZ. With the pig safely secured in the tray, I put the dogs in the rear (4x4 cab, leather trim) we veer off the Kaimais and continue up the river. We finally emerge after a spot of deer hunting (no luck) and I decide to have a quick fish at the Mount Maunganui main beach. I cast a line with live bait (a koheru or yellow tail) with a 6oz sinker and, within seconds hook a kingi. It puts up a good fight. It’s easily 45kg. Finally, I set up camp on the roadside, adjust the interior lighting (ambient) and select some mood music (Apple Car Play). I sleep the sleep of a dead wild boar in NZ’s highest selling vehicle.