Art Green, star of first season of The Bachelor New Zealand and co-owner of The CleanPaleo Health Food Company.
You are driving a 2017 Subaru Levorg 2.0 GT-S as ambassador for Subaru?
It pretty much has every sensor and piece of technology that has been invented. I’m not a massive car guy, but I’ve been blown away by just how much this car does. (And how little I need to do while driving). It has backing/parking sensors, two parking cameras, automatic adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, automatic adjusting headlights and wipers. It’s a turbo petrol and has some cool features to let you switch up to more power and control over your accelerations and handling.
Why the Levorg?
I guess Subaru just figured it would suit my lifestyle best. I love the look of it and how it drives. I also love that it’s big enough to fit bikes, surfboards and work stuff in the back.
Is it a suitable car for a bachelor?
Yes.
Your family has had other Subarus?
Yeah, one of my sisters had an Impreza, another one had a Legacy, my mum now has an Impreza and my stepdad has a WRX. So, finally I have my own.
How does it suit your personality?
It’s a fun, dynamic, sporty and slick car; and I think this suits my personality well.
And how does it fit in with your job?
I’m a director of the health food collective Riot Foods — of which CleanPaleo sits under. Our companies and brands produce healthy foods that enable people to live a healthier, more adventurous life — basically to get out and just do more fun stuff. I think the Levorg embodies this mentality.
Is anyone else allowed to drive your car?
Sure — I’m not protective over my belongings and I want everyone to experience how awesome this car is.
Your first car?
A 1997 Hyundai Lantra. The speedo didn’t work and it would always overheat. But it got me from A to B when few of my friends had cars, so I loved it.
Do you have a dream car?
I don’t think my dream car has been invented yet.
What do you always carry in your car?
Salted cashews. CleanPaleo Biltong. A big bottle of water. My Maori place names translation book.
How often do you clean your car?
I’m pretty tidy and just do the odd once-over when it looks a little messy.
Who taught you to drive?
My mum and dad, with polar opposite teaching styles. My mum taught me around the back roads of Christchurch with her hand hovering above the hand brake. My dad let me tow my friends around on a car bonnet behind his ute on his farm. I got my licence the week I turned 15.
Advice to young drivers?
Don’t use your phone while driving.
Your most memorable road trip?
From Perth up to Exmouth in Western Australia, to go swimming with whale sharks off the Ningaloo Reef with my friend Gretchen. What looked like a moderate distance on the map turned into a 15-hour straight drive dodging kangaroos and cows.
Can you see yourself in a driverless car?
Yeah, I’m all about technology in cars. There will always be a place for classic drive cars for car lovers, but I believe driverless cars might be the answer to congestion.
If you could change one traffic rule?
I would allow us to turn “left on red” at suitable intersections — similar to how you can turn “right on red” in the States.
What bugs you most about other drivers?
If I see them smoking in a car with a young person, or if I see them throw rubbish out the window.
Great day trip out of Auckland?
I love the drive down to Lake Rotoiti. It takes about three hours and, depending on what road you take, you wind through beautiful countryside. My family has a house on the lake so it is the ultimate place to relax, recharge and have fun, no matter what season.
Your take on Auckland traffic?
A subway would be amazing, but I think that boat sailed decades ago. I think one day we will all have driverless cars that will use software enabling every car to merge, move, zip, unzip, and park co-operatively to enable congestion-free roadways.