Telecom NZ, the largest ICT company in New Zealand has its head office incongruously located down the dodgy end of the Karangahape Road (affectionally know as the ‘K road’). It’s across the road from New Zealand Prostitute Cooperative (NZPC) and a stones throw away from a handful of hard drinking establishments where you definitely wouldn’t argue if instructed to ‘make the man some f@&kin’ eggs’.

My desk is on the 14th floor of a slightly ‘tired’ Telecom Building from where I can see Eden Park which is a nice surprise. The ‘if you told me a year ago that…..’ statements are going to be plentiful during this sabbatical!

I sort out a company car, a Hyundi Santa Fe – a 4 wheel drive which comes with free petrol for a monthly cost of £300. With our plan to  extensively tour the country and despite petrol being half the price compared to the UK, this seems like a good deal. Throughout the week I get lost driving to work despite it being only a 14 km trip.

The week is characterised by meeting after meeting as I am introduced to the crazy world of Telecom NZ’s digital channels.

After a busy week I head with Huw and Gethyn (my accidental lodgers) to Eden Park to see the Auckland Blues against the Waratahs. The Blues won. The atmosphere is strange – the crowd talked amongst themselves throughout the game and there is very little reaction to the play unless there is a very imminent score likely. And next to no opposition supporters.

On Saturday I explore St Heliers and head off in the afternoon with my lodgers to Takapuna Beach on Auckland’s North Shore.where we watch the surf club working out and a time-trial sea kayaking competition. Aucklanders seem to be a very outdoor lot with people yachting, canoeing, swimming, cycling, running, kite boarding, windsurfing wherever you turn and the water appearing to be the focal point of the city’s leisure time. A recipe for a lot of fun.