I flew down to Wellington on Thursday this week  for a couple of days team building with the largely new digital team. There are 17 people in my team and most have been at Telecom less than 6 months.We headed to the Waiarappa which is about 2 hrs from Wellington. The landscape is similar to the Brecon Beacons.  The area round Martinborough sits in a natural bowl and  has a micro-climate and soil conditions which allow grapeshot be grown and wine to be produced.

Thursday’s agenda is straight forward. We visit 4 of the 50+ vineyards before adjourning to the Martinborough Hotel for some beers and food. Martinborough seems to have street pattern based on the stripes of the British flag.  The bar provides a very convivial atmosphere and several beers are drunk.

Day two sees us head to MacCloud’s Station, a 1300 acre sheep station,  which also provides quad biking an d clay pigeon shooting.

Out host greets us dazed and with a severe wound to the left-hand side of his face.  While setting-up he had accidentally triggered the clay trap and the ‘arm’ which ‘throws’ the clays had smashed into his face. To my untrained eyes he needs dozens of stitches and will be lucky if he hasn’t fractured his cheek bone. He also seems a little concussed.

When it’s suggested he should go to the hospital to have it looked at he replies ‘oh it’ll be OK and anyway I’ve got a busy day ahead of me, I’ll see how it is tomorrow’. Is this an insight into why the All Blacks are so hard to beat? Is there is a harder edge to the general population of New Zealand that turns-up on the rugby pitch, a bloody mindedness to see things through whatever?

The quad biking benefits from the significance New Zealand seems to place on the responsibility of individual to look after their own safety and is genuinely exciting.

The day finishes-off with clay pigeon shooting with the clay trap being operate by a Mr MacCloud who by now has had his face taped up by his wife.