Driving the tangerine dream

ANGELA STONE, ONE OF THE SIX REAL HOUSEWIVES OF AUCKLAND, DIVIDES HER TIME BETWEEN AUCKLAND AND HER HOMETOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. SHE DRIVES A 2016 CAPTUR, AS A RENAULT AMBASSADOR

You’re driving a Renault in Auckland? It’s an automatic 2016 Captur, tangerine with the Angela Stone diamond logo and the Renault logo. I am Renault’s brand ambassador. What do you like about it? The Renault is my business car in Auckland. I’m out and about every day, so I’ll drive it around the city to meetings, appointments and styling sessions. I have two parks at my apartment in Ponsonby, so it stays there. Do you have a personalised plate? I’ve been thinking of getting one. How often do you clean your car? All the time. I’m a bit of an obsessive cleaner, I like things to be nice and tidy. What do you always keep in your car? Water, cleaning wipes, lipstick and a phone car charger. The cleaning wipes are a big one — I like to look after my car. Heels and driving? I drive in my heels — it’s not as hard as it sounds. Key consideration when buying a car? It has to look good. I love stylish lines, so I prefer sleek, streamlined cars. I love cars, I think they say a lot about a person and are a statement of your character. How have you enjoyed being in RHOAKL? I love being a part of RHOAKL, and would 100 per cent do it again. It has been a wild ride, but aren’t those the best ones? I have learnt a lot from this experience, mostly about how television works and how reality shows differ from real life. Probably the biggest thing I’ve learnt is that things are magnified to make the viewing experience more exciting, more dramatic and more captivating for the audience. How is Auckland’s social scene different to Christchurch’s? In Auckland there is something on every night of the week, so you have the option to go out any time you want. Christchurch is a little quieter. To be honest, I’m usually so busy running my business and looking after my kids I pick and choose which events to attend. Do you prefer manual or automatic? Automatic — it’s easier when driving in a busy city like Auckland. Favourite car colour? You can’t go wrong with a bright coloured car, or black. It has to be eye- catching. Your dream car? I love Aston Martins, and also Volkswagen’s Karmann Ghia. Both have that classy, vintage look and are small and zippy. Who taught you to drive? I paid for my own driving lessons. I like to do things the right way, and I’m very safety aware. I learnt to drive when I was about 20, because until that point I had been modelling overseas and hadn’t needed to drive. I did pass my licence first go. Most memorable road trip? When I drove down one side of the South Island then back up the other. Welive in the most beautiful country. If you could go anywhere in the world, with anyone? Driving around the Italian countryside would be amazing. Tuscany to Lake Como would be the ultimate start. I’d take George Clooney, because he’s my perfect idea of a man — distinguished, handsome, funny and a gentleman. We’d ride in an Aston Martin — comfort, speed and style darling! Favourite movie car scene? I love the end scene in

where they drive their Ford Thunderbird convertible off the Grand Canyon. Also, the car chase in the opening of Quantum

is fantastic — you can’t go wrong with James Bond and an Aston Martin. Great day trip out of Auckland? Where do you go and why? Heading to Matakana and exploring the amazing markets. There are great boutiques there, and on a nice day the drive is stunning. Other drivers . . . what irritates you most in Auckland? People don’t seem to indicate very often in Auckland. And how does it differ driving between Christchurch and Auckland? Christchurch is more relaxed. There are a lot more cars in Auckland, everything moves faster, everyone seems to be busier and in a rush. Your take on Auckland’s traffic? I try to avoid driving during rush hour and stay off the main roads wherever possible. I think if people car- pooled it would help.