

Welcome to the very first issue of Cashmere + Hillside. A local magazine created to celebrate the people, places, and shared connections that make our community feel like home.
As someone who lives here and works in real estate at our local Cashmere Harcourts office, I get to meet all kinds of people with amazing stories, passions, and projects.
This magazine was born from a desire to share those stories, to shine a light on local businesses, creative makers, and the heart behind the scenes.
From seasonal inspiration to thoughtful interviews, everything in these pages is selected with care and a love for this unique part of Christchurch.
Whether you’re a long-time local or new to the area, I hope Cashmere & Hillside helps you feel more connected to the people, the neighbourhood, and the beauty in everyday life.
Kimberley.
Kimberley Smylie Curator + Editor
Set in one of Christchurch’s most prestigious hillside locations, Stage 5 known as Ridgeline, is Cashmere Estates latest and most premier stage now under development. Ridgeline offers an extraordinary opportunity to secure a lifestyle defined by elevation, elegance, and breathtaking natural beauty.
From this elevated vantage point, the views are nothing short of spectacular. Watch the city lights shimmer as the sun sets behind the Southern Alps. Wake to uninterrupted panoramas stretching across the Canterbury Plains and out to the distant Kaikōura Ranges. Every window frames a scene that inspires a dynamic blend of urban energy and alpine serenity.
Ridgeline is more than a place to live; it's a place to thrive. Each section has been thoughtfully positioned to make the most of the surrounding landscape, sunlight, and privacy. With generously sized, elevated sections there’s space to create a home that’s uniquely yours. Architectural guidelines ensure a high standard of design, encouraging timeless homes that complement the land and neighbouring builds. An investment not only in lifestyle, but in lasting value.
Cashmere Estate stands as one of Christchurch’s most desirable residential developments, an hill side sanctuary where architectural elegance meets natural beauty. Nestled on the lower slopes of the Port Hills, this thoughtfully planned community offers a unique blend of urban convenience and rural tranquillity. With sweeping views across the city, the Southern Alps, and beyond, each section is positioned to maximise sun, privacy, and outlook.
Mature landscaping, curated streetscapes, and a strong sense of community create a peaceful, high-end environment ideal for families, professionals, and discerning homeowners. Just minutes from the city centre and zoned for top local schools, Cashmere Estate offers a lifestyle that’s as practical as it is aspirational.
Sections are also available to purchase in premier Stage 2 of Cashmere Estate, ranging in size and character, each site offers a unique opportunity to build a bespoke home that takes full advantage of panoramic views across the estates reserve and walking tracks. Each section title is ready for immediate build, meaning your dream home could become reality sooner than you think.
Whether you're building a forever home, a luxurious retreat, or a legacy property for generations to come, Ridgeline provides the canvas. Surrounded by walking trails, parks, native bush, and a welcoming community, life here is relaxed, yet refined.
Discover Cashmere Estate, where every day begins with a view, and ends in peaceful luxury.
In a city quietly brimming with creative talent, Soul Creative Studio has emerged as a go-to space for local brands, business owners, photographers, and podcasters who need more than just a blank canvas. This thoughtfully curated studio, is the brainchild of TashA passionate local creative who recognised the growing demand for beautiful, functional, and intentionally designed content spaces. With the rise of personal branding, reels, product launches, and podcasts, the way we tell our stories has transformed. But finding a space that feels just as elevated as the content you're trying to create? That’s where Soul Creative Studio steps in.
Flooded with natural light and styled with an editorial eye, Soul Creative offers a flexible studio environment that caters to a variety of creators – from solo entrepreneurs and photographers to wellness facilitators and podcasters. Every piece of furniture, prop, and backdrop has been hand-selected to photograph beautifully, ensuring clients don’t need to bring in extras or compromise on aesthetic.
Booking options range from a quick “Power Hour” to full-day hire, making it easy for clients to pop in for a streamlined shoot or take their time crafting a full content suite. For podcasters, there’s a separate, sound-treated audio room available, perfect for interviews, professional intros, or recording courses. Lighting kits are also available for those needing to shoot after hours or on grey days, ensuring quality control stays in the hands of the creator.
Soul Creative isn’t just a studio; it’s a space where ideas take shape and stories come to life. The studio has already welcomed a wide range of creatives through its doors: product launches, personal brand photoshoots, podcast recordings, mini-workshops, and styled content shoots for social media.
Whether you’re a photographer needing a change of scene, a small brand elevating your online presence, or a content creator bringing a vision to life, Soul Creative Studio was built with you in mind.
Connect with Soul Creative Studio Click Here
For children who love to imagine, explore, and express themselves, StoryboxDrama offers a joyful and enriching space to do just that.
Co-founded by performing arts specialist Sam Bates and piano teacher Anne Marie Manzano, this much-loved local programme invites children aged 5–12 to dive into stories through drama, music, and creative play. Held weekly at Somerfield Community Centre, Storybox Drama has become a go-to for families seeking thoughtful, well-paced classes that nurture creativity, build confidence, and support emotional development, all in a calm, inclusive environment.
At the heart of every class is a stor carefully chosen to spark curiosity empathy, and imagination. Children step into character roles, solve problems together, and crea shared narratives using drama, music, and movement. Lessons ar gently structured, allowing each child to participate at their own pace. From improvisation and soundscapes to role-play, the classes are full of discovery.
Sam Bates brings over 16 years of experience teaching performing arts in Christchurch schools. Known for her warm and gentle presence, she has a gift for helping children grow in confidence and find their creative voice. AnneMarie Manzano, brings a joyful approach to music and a lov of children's literature, blending melody, rhythm, and storytelling i imaginative ways.
Together, they’ve created something truly special: a space where children feel seen, heard, and free to explore.
“Sam has a very natural and gentle way of quickly building rapport with the students, my 5-year-old has learnt so much. It’s helped her feel confident and express herself without pressure.”
Something for Every Season
Alongside weekly term classes, Storybox Drama hosts school holiday workshops that regularly feature collaborations with local creatives from authors and illustrators to art educators.
Coming up this spring: Call of the Kraken (Ages 9–12)
A dramatic sea adventure inspired by The Promise of Dragons, with author author Heather McQuillan.
The Tiny Seed (Ages 5–8)
A gentle, spring-themed workshop inspired by Eric Carle’s classic book, with art educator Meg Nicoll.
Why Parents Love It
Parents often describe Storybox as a “gentle introduction to drama.”
A place where imagination is encouraged without the expectation of being on stage.
Storybox Drama is now enrolling for Term 4 classes and upcoming holiday workshops.
R+B Build deliver a genuine end-to-end design and build experience. With in-house architects, quantity surveyors, a dedicated projectmanager, and a skilled team of builders, every aspect is thoughtfully tailored to suit your lifestyle, your site, and your budget. Their approach is considered and collaborative, with a focus on quality, detail, and a process that feels seamless from start to finish.
I sat down with Matthew to chat about his beautiful home in Barnfield’s - a small subdivision on the outskirts of Cashmere. His place is a custom-built, four-bedroom home designed by RBA Studio and brought to life by the team at R+B Build. Over coffee, we talked about what it really means to create a space that not only looks good, but feels like home. From bold bathroom tiles to Sunday movie nights, and all the thoughtful details in between.
Did you buy land and start fresh, or come in partway through?
I bought the land, and there was already a house design attached but I changed most of it. The structure was there, but I made it mine. I expanded the media room, scrapped the study nook, took the toilet out of the main bathroom made the kitchen island massive, added a big fireplace, floorto-ceiling glass in the living room, timber ceilings… I tweaked a lot.
Why build new instead of buying an existing house?
intenance. I didn’t want to spend ds fixing fences or oiling squeaky m not a DIY guy - I just wanted ng that works. Clean, simple, easy n.
art of the house were you most about?
hen island, 100%. It’s huge. No cooktop, just one big surface. The there, do homework there, we n around it. It’s all wrapped in LED . It’s really the centre of the house.
Did you have a clear vision from the start, or did it evolve as you went?
There was a base design from David at RBA Studio, and we adapted it together to better suit our family and how we live. But when it came to the interiors, I chose everything every tile, every handle, every paint colour. At first, I thought, how the hell am I going to pull this off? But I just backed myself. No mood boards or Pinterest, I just knew what I liked and went for it.
How would you describe the vibe of the place?
People say it feels elegant and relaxed, which I like. It’s not precious or showroom-y, it’s got some character. There’s brushed nickel, natural stone, the timber ceiling… it feels like it’s been here for a while, in a good way.
Any moments where you panicked or second-guessed?
Oh yeah, the bathrooms. I used green slate, white marble, and black Italian tiles all in one space. I saw it going in and thought, Have I just made a massive mistake? I was worried it’d look like a Versace hotel in the worst way. But once it came together especially with the skylight over the black shower, it actually really worked. It’s one of my favourite rooms now.
ntly? the showers. t I’d lose the d they’re right.
ucci’s kitchen —
nline one day and tchen like that! nd, brass ddle. I didn’t copy t e act y, but d d take inspiration from it and it gave me the confidence to go bold with the green.
What would you tell someone about to build their own place?
Back yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you to keep it beige just to be ‘safe’. You’ll end up with a house that looks like everyone else’s. It should reflect you. Think about how the house works day-to-day , where the washing line’s going, where the morning sun hits, what you’ll actually do in the space. And do the landscaping early. It makes a difference.
I really enjoyed the whole process of designing and building my home. The way R+B Build work, with everything under one roof from the designers and quantity surveyors to their in-house builders, just makes things easier. It meant the design and the quality were both spot on. Choosing all the interiors was actually a lot of fun, and now I get to live in a space that really feels like mine.
Involved in this project:
Built by: R+B Build
Architecture by: David Miller from RBA Studio
Photography by: Jono Smit
Electrical Design by: VT Electrical
Kitchen and Joinery by: Current Kitchens
In a quiet Hoon Hay studio, ceramic artist Linda Burns shapes clay into soulful, nature-inspired forms, inviting us to pause, create, and reconnect.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Hoon Hay, you’ll find The Garden Pottery a home-based studio where earth is transformed into art. It’s the creative space of ceramic artist Linda Burns, whose hands have spent decades shaping clay into both functional objects and expressive forms. For Linda, clay isn’t just a material, it’s a language.
Originally from South Africa, where she studied ceramic design and ran a successful studio, Linda’s creative journey has spanned continents and countless kiln firings. Now settled in Aotearoa, she brings more than 20 years of experience to her boutique pottery practice, where every piece tells a story grounded in nature, process, and passion.
“I’ve always been drawn to the rawness of clay,” Linda shares. “The way it holds memory, the touch of a fingertip, the groove of a carving tool, the imprint of a leaf. There’s something sacred in shaping it.”
Her work is known for its earthy aesthetic, subtle slips, carved textures, and quiet tones that reflect the beauty of the natural world. Whether wheel-throwing, hand-building, or working with slip-casting techniques, Linda’s process is deliberate and intuitive, shaped by years of experience and an ever-present curiosity.
“Teaching is a joy,” she says. “It’s a beautiful exchange. I love seeing people find their flow and confidence through clay. I’ve learnt just as much from my students as they have from me.”
Her collections reflect this duality:
One is a refined line of functional wareminimalist cups, mugs, and vessels that combine understated design with practical elegance. The other leans more sculptural, drawing inspiration from the garden and natural forms. Each piece a one-of-a-kind tribute to texture, rhythm, and growth.
Beyond her own practice, Linda is a passionate teacher. Her home studio opens regularly to those wanting to explore clay, from curious beginners to committed creatives attending her term classes.
Whether you’re sipping from one of her handmade mugs or pausing beside a sculptural form tucked among garden blooms, Linda’s ceramics invite you to slow down, notice the details, and reconnect with the natural world, one textured surface at a time.
Connect with Linda Click Here
If you're looking to create a healthier, more comfortable home, expert help is closer than you think. For over two decades, Christchurch local Richard Rea, a qualified Home Performance Advisor has been guiding homeowners through smart, practical upgrades that improve home comfort, energy efficiency, and overall wellbeing.
Through his business, Heat &Vent, Richard offers free Comfort Home Assessments to identify the key improvements that will make your home warmer, drier, and more efficient from insulation and ventilation to heating solutions and beyond.
Many homeowners aren’t aware they could be eligible for up to 100% funding through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme a government-backed initiative that helps fund insulation and heat pumps for eligible households.
You may qualify if:
You own and live in the home
You hold a Community Services Card or live in a designated low-income area
You lack an existing fixed heating source in your main living area
Your insulation doesn’t meet current standards
Heat &Vent takes the hassle out of the process. They’ll check your eligibility, walk you through the steps, and help you access the funding you're entitled to, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
Landlords AreYou Ready for the July 2025 Deadline?
From 1 July 2025, all rental properties must meet the Healthy Homes Standards, covering heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture management, and draught stopping. Non-compliance could result in penalties of up to $7,200 per property.
Heat &Vent provides clear, actionable assessments for landlords, detailing exactly what upgrades are needed to meet the standard. Their trusted network of professionals can also coordinate and complete the required work, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Every home is different, and a one-sizefits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to home performance. Heat & Vent’s Comfort Home Assessments are personalised and obligation-free giving homeowners real insight into what their property needs most.
Solutions may include:
Heat pumps and efficient heating systems
Ceiling, underfloor, and blow-in wall insulation
Positive pressure and balanced ventilation systems
Double glazing retrofits
Heat transfer kits
Bathroom fans and moisture
extraction
And more...
Whether you're a homeowner looking to improve comfort or a landlord aiming for compliance, Heat & Vent is the trusted local expert to call.
In the quiet hum of a Christchurch workshop, something lasting is being shaped by hand, with intention.
Heart + Sap is the furniture studio of Mark Smith, a local craftsman with a deep respect for timber and tradition. Every piece he creates is a study in simplicity and substance, a balance of refined lines, grounded design, and a strong sense of purpose.
Built from sustainably sourced timber and guided by timeless techniques, Mark’s work isn’t rushed or trend-led. It’s a considered process, one that honours both material and maker. Dining tables, drawers, sideboards, bedside pieces… each is crafted with care, made to feel like it’s always belonged in your home.
There’s a warmth that runs through Heart + Sap, not just in the wood, but in the ethos. This is furniture that invites touch, holds memories, and quietly elevates everyday living. It’s not about more, it’s about better. Fewer pieces. Thoughtfully made. Designed to last.
Mark’s workshop, tucked in the heart of the hillside, is where raw timber is transformed into furniture with presence. Every curve, joint, and finish is considered and often customised to suit the space it’s destined for. Whether choosing from his evolving collection or dreaming up a bespoke commission, clients are welcomed into the process. It’s collaborative. Personal. Meaningful.
Connect with Heart + Sap Click Here .
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Alex Ballagh is a Holistic Wellness Coach based in Cracroft, Christchurch. She specialises in helping busy people to create a personal roadmap to health in a real and relatable way. Working with the three pillars of mindset, movement, and nutrition, with nervous system tools baked in - Alex will guide you towards deep self trust, easeful nourishment, elevated joy, and lasting vitality.
“Wellness doesn’t have to mean overhauling your schedule or exhausting yourself to meet a rigid routine.”
How? We start with presence. Little moments of mindfulness (even 30 seconds between emails or in the car before school pick-up) can anchor your nervous system. Try a deep breath - in through your nose, out through your mouth and let your shoulders drop and your jaw relax. Try it now. Notice the shift.
Now let’s talk about movement. This is mportant, but it doesn’t need to be a full gym workout. It might be rolling out your wrists between meetings, doing some calf raises while the jug boils, or dancing around the lounge with your kids. Micro-movements keep energy flowing and blood sugars in check.
When it comes to meals, think upgrades, not overhauls. Sprinkle seeds over your porridge, stir greens into your soup, or top toast with a handful of sprouts. Nutrient-dense tweaks that take seconds can nourish you more than you realise.
Most importantly? Release the all-or-nothing mindset. Your body is always communicating - in fatigue, cravings, tension or restlessness. What if we tuned in enough to listen? Real wellness is less about forcing and more about attuning.
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Whether it’s time out in nature, adrenaline-fuelled adventure, or the best views in Christchurch that you’re after, the Christchurch Adventure Park has got it all.
Having made the ride up, you’ll need to choose how to get back down. Will you get your heart racing on our unmissable zipline tour that will see you flying over the forest and through the trees on New Zealand’s highest and longest ziplines? Will you get your blood pumping on one of the many mountain bike trails that provide an exhilarating trip back down to the Adventure Park village for riders of all abilities? Or will you choose relaxation and enjoy the stunning scenic ride back down the chairlift while you watch the adventure unfold beneath you?
Back down in the village you can enjoy a relaxing brew or a delicious meal in our café that is nestled in the pine forest. Let the kids burn some energy on our free pump track, beginners bike loop, or trampolines, or head into the forest by foot to enjoy one of our walking trails. There are a number of uphill tracks open that offer unique, unparalleled views of the city, as well as a 45-minute forest loop trail, which will surround you in stunning native pine and birdsong.
All that adventure is bound to make you peckish, so round out your day with a bite and a beverage at the Adventure Park Café, the social hub of the Port Hills. With space for over 200, a large covered deck, a fully licensed bar, and delicious coffee, this is the place for post-ride and post-adrenaline drinks, coffee catch-ups, and casual dining all day long.
At the Christchurch Adventure Park we promise to feed your mind, body, and soul. All you need to do is choose your adventure.
Here for your next chapter
You’ll often find Ashley on a morning walk through the Port Hills or grabbing a coffee after school drop-off at Thorrington. A proud local and mum of two girls, she’s closely connected to the community she calls home.
Ashley is a trusted Life and Health Financial Adviser, supporting individuals, families, and business owners with clear, practical guidance. Her approach is simple: honest conversations, tailored advice, and cover that truly reflects your life.
Whether you're planning ahead or just want clarity, Ashley’s door is always open, no pressure, no jargon, just genuine support.
She’s here to help you feel confident about your future, every step of the way.
Connect with Ashley Ashley.vanirsel@totallife.co.nz
Your honest guide to travel
Most weekends, you’ll find Ryan and his wife hiking the Port Hills, up Bowenvale, along Rapaki, or anywhere with a wide view of the city.
After visiting 40+ countries and working in the travel industry for years, Ryan founded Cashmere Travel to bring honesty and clarity back to holiday planning. With so much fine print and confusion, he saw the need for something more personal, transparent, and genuinely helpful.
At its heart, Cashmere Travel is about taking the uncertainty out of travel, thoughtful itineraries, upfront pricing and expert support from start to finish.
Planning your next escape? Ryan’s just around the corner, ready to help.
Connect with Ryan ryan@cashmeretravel.co.nz
A local man you can count on
Andrew loves to enjoy the local lifestyle, running the hills, biking Rapaki, or spending time with his family. A long-time Cashmere local who’s proud to call this community home.
If you live nearby, you’ve probably seen his van or one of his signs outside a freshly painted house.
As the owner of Duckmanton Decorating, Andrew brings over 40 years of experience to every job. From full weatherboard repaints to simple bathroom refreshes, he’s known for his reliable, no-fuss workmanship and quality results.
Need something painted, big or small? His truck’s never far away and neither is he.
Connect with Andrew duckmantonpainters@gmail.com
At its heart, The Ottoman Collection is a story of place, purpose, and pieces that quietly transform the way a home feels. Founded in New Zealand in 2001 and soon after, in Australia, this is a brand shaped by the world, yet deeply grounded in Aotearoa. For Lorna, the creative force behind the collection, travel has always been more than a source of inspiration, it’s been a teacher. Each journey has expanded her sense of beauty, connection, and meaning. Those lessons are stitched into every piece she brings to life.
Today, The Ottoman Collection is more than a brand, it’s a community. A growing circle of customers who share a love for natural textures, thoughtful design, and objects with soul.
From the very beginning, Lorna has worked exclusively with natural fibres, from pure cotton and linen to soft merino wool. Every fabric is chosen not just for how it looks, but how it feels: to hold, to wear, to live with. Over the years, she’s built long-standing relationships with artisans and producers in Turkey, Portugal, Lithuania and beyond, partners who honour time-honed craft with quiet mastery.
But beautiful design is only one part of the story. Lorna has always believed that how a room makes you feel is just as important as how it looks. That belief was shaped by years running her own home linen store, where she noticed a gap for pieces that offered emotional resonance and everyday functionality. It’s what led her to create a collection that feels calm, curated, and enduring.
Now based in the leafy Christchurch suburb of Beckenham, Lorna draws quiet inspiration from her surroundings, daily walks along the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River, the soft rhythm of the seasons, and the comfort of home. Her designs reflect that same sense of ease, pieces that slow the pace and invite you to live more intentionally.
When Lorna relocated to Christchurch in 2010, it was just before the city’s devastating earthquake. That chapter - like the pandemic a decade later, brought both disruption and clarity. In response, she expanded her local offering, designing The Ottoman Collection’s signature premium merino robe, made in collaboration with Christchurchbased Earth Sea & Sky. It's a piece that speaks to both luxury and local resilience.
Connection remains at the centre of the business, from her global producers to retail partners across New Zealand and Australia, and even the courier and freight teams who help carry each order home. Lorna’s commitment to authenticity extends through every part of the experience: the feel of the fabric, the tone of the visuals, the consistency in every detail.
Ultimately, The Ottoman Collection is about more than linen. It’s about creating space to breathe. Space to soften. Pieces that add beauty, comfort, and harmony to the every day and age with grace.
Connect with The Ottoman Collection Click Here
Now nestled in Huntsbury, All About You Beauty Boutique is built on a simple belief: everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin. For owner Tracy Cox, that mission has remained steady from the very beginning. She set out to create a space where everyday people could access real, effective solutions for the signs of aging, delivered with care, understanding, and expertise.
Tracy’s journey started with a modest home clinic she called Organic Beauty Therapy. Her vision was to offer natural, gentle skincare, but she soon realised how challenging it was to find truly organic products that also delivered results. That insight shaped her approach: to offer professional, evidence-based treatments while staying true to a warm, approachable experience.
In 2016, she took a bold step forward, purchasing a large, established salon in Riccarton. Managing a bigger team and space came with challenges, and the years that followed, marked by Covid lockdowns and a tough economy, tested her resilience at every turn.
“It’s definitely been a journey,” she reflects. “We’ve had to adapt and really focus on what our clients value most: honest advice, affordable treatments, and results they can see.”
Now operating as a boutique clinic once more, with a new home in the heart of Hillside Tracy’s business has come full circle. And yet, her loyal following has only grown. Many of her clients have stayed with her for years, supported by the clinic’s affordable membership program that makes it easier to stay consistent with skin health. That membership program is something Tracy is especially proud of. “We still have members who signed up in the very beginning,” she says. “That kind of loyalty means the world to me.”
All About You specialises in results-driven skincare without the clinical feel of a medispa. Clients come to treat concerns like fine lines, pigmentation and uneven texture in a welcoming, down-to-earth environment.
Advanced facials, IPL hair reduction and medical-grade skincare are tailored into personalised plans, ensuring each client feels genuinely seen and supported.
For Tracy, it’s never been about trends or transformations. “Most of our clients just want to look fresher and feel more confident,” she says. “They’re not after anything extreme, they just want the right advice and treatments that make a real difference.”
All About You Beauty Boutique is a reminder that investing in yourself doesn’t have to feel intimidating. You don’t need to be glamorous or perfect, you just need the right team behind you to help you feel like yourself again.
As we head toward spring, the market naturally picks up, buyers are out in force, and wellpresented homes shine. But the smartest sellers don’t wait for Spring to arrive to start preparing.
If you’re considering a move this Spring or Summer, now’s the time to quietly start laying the groundwork:
Order key documents early LIM reports, EQC scopes, and the Certificate of Title can take time. Having these ready can speed up your sale later.
Get a pre-sale building inspection
This gives you a clear picture of what might come up in a buyer’s report, and gives you the chance to fix or disclose proactively.
If your home is already looking its best, you’ll be ready to list quickly if the right opportunity arises.
Even if you’re not 100% sure yet, I can help you plan a smart, lowpressure prep strategy based on your goals and timeframe.
Ready to take the first step, simply click on ‘work with me’ to book your complimentary Spring Planning Session.