The more tech, the better

IDO DRENT, GUEST STARS IN PRIME’S BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES, SUNDAYS 8.30PM

What do you drive? A 2013 VWGolf Wagon, Automatic, black. With the new additions to the family, suddenly we needed to think about strollers etc. With my long history with VW, this was the perfect fit for us. How does it suit your character? Well, the sunshades, the kids’ car seat and the pile of toys in the back definitely screams dad. But as far as the car’s concerned, it’s a great size for town, but equally spacious enough to throw our stuff in the back and head away for the weekend. Welove adventure but we are very much city folk at the same time. What do you always have in your car? An iPhone charger, parking money and a nappy bag. Do you prefer manual or automatic? Automatic. With the traffic in Auckland, you’d be crazy to have a manual. Are you driving anything in

Brokenwood Mysteries? The

The episode I guest star in is called

and it’s all about classic car fanatics. The whole episode is full of amazing old- school cars. My character drives a 1957 Ford Customline truck in bright green. Mint condition, but heavy to handle. Do you have a favourite movie car scene? I am a massive Gone in fan. Eleanor — GT500 — has always been a dream car. First car? I feel like everyone started with one of these trusty steeds — a Toyota Corolla. It was a four- door manual 1.6l. A beauty. Never broke down. Always started the first time. It was also the first car I crashed, but we won’t go into that. Who taught you to drive? From a young age my dad would put me on his lap and let me “drive” up the driveway. Then as I got older we used to go drive around parking lots. When I got my learner’s, my mum would also take me driving late at night around the streets of Hamilton. And if you could drive any car you wanted? Right now I think I would take a Mercedes G55. I love the fact that it’s a truck, with a bunch of space, but still an absolute weapon when it comes to performance. Most memorable road trip? My wife Mandy, and I went on a road trip down the East Cape when we first started dating. I remember spending 12 hours on the way just talking non- stop. I think it’s on this trip that I decided I wanted to marry her. And what did you listen to in your Golf? I’m a podcast kinda guy. I love learning or listening to interesting things. I feel like it’s a great time to keep improving and keep the mind working. If I’m really looking just to chill out, I’d flick on a Broods, Mumford & Sons, or me old mate Mike Hosking on ZB. What’s a great day trip out of Auckland? I love driving to the Matakana markets on a Saturday morning. Not too far and a fun little adventure. Do you enjoy driving or would you rather be a passenger? It depends. I get tired driving, so often will tag out with Mandy. But in general I like getting where I want to go, at my pace. Technology in cars … do you embrace it or do you prefer old school? Technology all the way. I would absolutely see myself in driverless car when they come out. It’s time that I would love to reclaim to do other things — read a book, listen to a podcast, sleep… If you could change one road rule? I love the ability to turn right on a red in America. In New Zealand I think we should be able to turn left on a red when there is no traffic. It makes sense. Your take on Auckland’s traffic? The fact that we don’t have any other reliable options is a problem. There is traffic in Melbourne but you have the choice of the world’s best public transport. In Auckland you have extremely unreliable, ineffective public transport. What irritates you most about other drivers? Indecisive dawdling drivers who just move . . . really . . . slowly . . . in . . . everything . . . they . . . do . . . Kills me.