In March, I spent two weeks in the South Island and when I was due to return to Wellington my ferry trip across the Strait was cancelled. I was delayed a day getting back. Two days later, on a flight from Napier some low cloud stopped us landing at Wellington Airport. We turned around and I had another unscheduled overnight stay away from home. The following morning my rescheduled flight was delayed, meaning I’d miss my next flight to Hamilton. I ended up driving there and got back to Wellington a day later than planned (again).

I’m not complaining, but it was irritating. A few things I meant to get done had to b...