Book review: Going South, Colin Hogg

There's no easy way to find out that an old mate has terminal cancer - albeit a mate I haven't seen much in recent years - but reading a book about it has got to be one of the most moving.

The old mate in this case is that fine newspaper and television journalist Gordon McBride, who a few months back confided to his equally talented colleague, Colin Hogg, that he didn't have long to live. Reading this in the opening paragraphs of the book shocked me as much as it must have done Hogg at the time.

What do you say when a lifelong friend tells you he's dying? In this case they promptly plan a road trip to Invercargill, where they first met 46 years ago and their journalistic careers were launched.

So this very different pair - Hogg can be a bit reserved while McBride is one of the most gregarious people you'll ever meet - fly to Queenstown, pick up a big blue Falcon rental car and set off to explore old haunts.

The result is a delightful journey, by turns amusing, poignant and disturbing, through their coming of age in provincial New Zealand, intertwined lives in journalism, a sort of idiosyncratic history of Southland and Otago, and the changing nature of the news business.

They pay a visit to the Southland Times, where it all began, and find it but a shadow of its former self, though still capable of inspiring memories of wonderful newspaper characters, hilarious moments and stupendous drinking sessions.

Naturally they visit many pubs, finding them generally changed for the worse, but thanks to McBride's ebullient personality still capable of providing interesting chats with locals, plus a goodly supply of beers.

They also drop into places as different as Riverton, Stewart Island - no oysters! - Tuatapere, Nightcaps, Naseby - for curling - the ruins of Seacliff Mental Hospital, Palmerston - mutton pies - and Cromwell, each of which spark memories, good and bad, personal and historical.

Finally, after six days, they're back at Queenstown Airport, "wiser perhaps", says Hogg, "certainly dustier". "It seems like we've been away a lifetime."

Since then McBride and his partner, Trish, have ticked a couple of things off their bucket list and, at the time of writing, he continues to fire off provocative tweets. Hogg, meanwhile, had another spectacular session with his old friend, Sam Hunt, and ended up requiring an ambulance. Afterwards, his 16-year-old daughter took him aside and said, "Your party days are over, Daddy. You're an old man."

Indeed. And we've all got despondent about the news business too. Hey ho. Sic transit gloria mundi. But well worth remembering, for all that.

Going South: A Road Trip Through Life by Colin Hogg
HarperCollins $34.99.