Paul Hickey: Big city traffic drives me to distraction

Trying to battle Auckland motorway traffic while on holiday is a nightmare. Photo / NZME.

As I mentioned in last week's column, I am on holiday this week from my radio show on The Hits Rotorua, so "Aloha" from the sunny sands of Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

The cocktails are flowing, the sunscreen is on and we have been frolicking in the warm waters. Well at least we were in my dreams as the holiday in reality is far from that.

There has certainly been no use of the passports, although I will admit that I have been to Auckland International Airport but that was for other family reasons. For us it's a bit of time in Auckland settling my son into his new place and studying routine, and then some time in Taupo as well.

I write this at pretty much the halfway point of a short break away from the office, and I must admit that work has been a long way away from my mind which I suppose is what holidays are for, right?

Those who know me pretty well would probably describe me as a bit of a workaholic, with a few side projects on the go alongside my full-time radio role. These can all add up to making getting away from it all pretty darn hard, and I suppose the fact I am here writing this right now is proof of that.

But all up there has been plenty of family time which is what's most important, although the family element started with four and will finish with three as we leave one behind in Auckland when we depart!

I love living in Rotorua. I know that is a pretty obvious statement, which I am sure is echoed by 95 per cent of the population. One element of the time away that I am certainly happy to be leaving behind is the Auckland traffic! Trying to battle motorway traffic in the morning is a nightmare to say the least. Nearly an hour to travel 25km is not my idea of a great way to start the work day.

My regular commute to the radio station each morning takes seven minutes, and on a busy day it can seem an age when it takes a whopping 12 minutes. I shall never complain about that again.

Despite the fact it's only a short break and the first for a while, I am looking forward to getting back into the work routine. I'm back on the air in our Hinemoa St studio from 9am this coming Tuesday morning after our first ever Monday-ised Anzac Weekend. Whatever you have planned for the long weekend, especially tomorrow's 100th Anzac Day commemorations, enjoy it, and I look forward to your company on Tuesday as we begin the countdown to our big Rotorua marathon weekend, and also the start of our big Mother's Day giveaway with The Hits and Rotorua Central.

•Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am-3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM. Follow on Twitter @paulhickeynz or at The Hits Rotorua on Facebook