Cruise with Nadine and her family as the explore Matakana in the new Škoda Kodiaq.
Cruise with Nadine and her family as the explore Matakana in the new Škoda Kodiaq.
It was a crisp Auckland a1ernoon when Nadine, Sam and their two kids, Atlanta, and Denzel gathered for a relaxed lunch in Ponsonby before beginning their weekend escape in the Škoda Kodiaq. A1er all, no holiday can start without fueling up for the drive ahead to Matakana.
Nadine and her family drove along Ponsonby Road to find a quick bite to eat. As the kids fought their case for their favorite food to be picked, Nadine and Sam were scanning for a sneaky park. They managed to secure one in one of the many side streets. While they were skepKcal the Kodiaq could fit, the built-in rear camera, large navigaKon screen, and sensors made parallel parking a breeze in the busy metropolitan.
After lunch, it was time to head north. Atlanta and Denzel were already in full holiday mode. Alongside a killer roadie playlist, the two giggled as they played with the car’s disco lights inside the cabin feature, carefully choosing colours that made the whole car glow.
“Purple! No, green!” they squealed, their laughter setting the tone for the drive to Matakana. While the road stretched out ahead, Nadine and Sam were impressed at how compact and comfortable the seven-seater felt, giving everyone space to stretch without ever feeling bulky on the road.
When they arrived at their Airbnb, Nadine couldn’t help but marvel at the practicality of the hands-free boot. Just a wave of her foot and it opened wide to swallow up bags, groceries, and other trip essentials. “How did I ever survive without this?” she laughed, as Denzel proudly declared he’d be the official boot-opener for the rest of the weekend.
They were serenaded by birdsong as they got ready the following Saturday morning. The Matakana Markets were just a short trip down the road and ready to greet them with the aroma of fresh coffee. Atlanta’s eyes lit up at the stalls of pastries, while Denzel happily carried a bag of fresh strawberries, sneaking one whenever he thought no one was looking. From there, the family wandered between local wineries, strolled along windswept beaches where the kids’ collected shells, and climbed hilltops for the sweeping views. No matter where the ventured, the dashboard navigation system seamlessly synced with their phones, making exploring new territory straightforward and stress-free.
The car’s fuel economy also impressed. Over delicious pizzas at Smiths that night, Nadine noted how little fuel they had used, while Sam teased that the savings meant more treats on the drive home to Taupo. After they finished a cheeky dessert, the crew cruised back to their Airbnb. The family bundled up in the lounge for a relaxing family movie night to bookend their holiday.
By Sunday morning, the family reluctantly packed up their Airbnb and headed to a café in town for breakfast. Before they got inside, Sam realised he left his wallet behind in the car. Thankfully, the Kodiaq’s automatic locking and unlocking made pesky trips back smoother, saving countless little moments of admin and letting the family reflect on their on their adventures.
Atlanta was determined to order the biggest hot chocolate on the menu, while Denzel couldn’t stop talking about going back to the beach just one more time. After they finished up and got back into the Kodiaq, Nadine reflected on how the Kodiaq had been as much a part of their getaway as the markets, the beach, and the food.
With music playing and the disco lights set to match Atlanta and Denzel’s Sunday mood, they cruised home comfortably, already planning their next escape.