Redefining Luxury: The Evolution of Cantabrian Magazine

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Known for her quiet leadership, distinct style, and commitment to redefining modern media, Kia, the founder of Cantabrian Magazine, steps out of her hiatus for this exclusive interview with Sitarani Turner.

A multi-award-winning beauty queen and long-time CM contributor, Sitarani sits down with Kia to discuss the values that shaped her, her international editorial career, and the evolution of Cantabrian Magazine as an eco-luxe movement leading the way for sustainable, digital publishing.

When Kia, founder of Cantabrian Magazine, briefly steps out of her hiatus, it’s not to reminisce — it’s to realign. As one of Canterbury’s most quietly influential creative leaders, Kia has built a platform that fuses elegance with integrity, purpose with polish. Her magazine — now synonymous with Canterbury’s modern lifestyle identity — redefines what luxury means in an age of digital immediacy and conscious consumption.

“Clients want real-time results, and readers want authenticity,” she says. “That balance is the new benchmark of success.”

Born from a vision of eco-luxe publishing, Cantabrian Magazine was founded on a no-paper policy — a bold stance in a traditionally print-driven industry. For Kia, the choice was clear: modern media had to evolve. Having worked internationally — as Editor of Raine in New York, a contributor to multiple New Zealand titles, and as an insider for Vogue — she witnessed first-hand how audiences were shifting. “After Covid, the appetite for authenticity changed everything,” she explains. “People wanted stories that meant something — stories that reflected values as much as visuals.”

That vision has guided Cantabrian Magazine into becoming one of New Zealand’s most distinctive lifestyle voices — equal parts style journal and cultural compass. Through refined storytelling, the publication connects Canterbury’s creative community with a global audience while maintaining a uniquely local heart.

Kia’s creative reach extends beyond publishing and into fashion, where she continues to work with Portfolio Models, appearing in runway shows, commercials, and films. “Modeling has always been another language of storytelling,” she says. "Mel Brown has been fundamental in transitioning my career and I'm forever grateful for her professional support". Kia was fresh off the runway for Seattle Fashion Week when she signed with Portfolio over a decade ago. Her collaboration with photographer Dave Richards remains one of her creative cornerstones. “Dave understands me completely. There’s an ease, an intuition, and a trust. He can give me one line of direction, and I know exactly what he means. That level of connection produces work that feels real.”

Her influence also extends to the art world, where she serves as a Foundation Member of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū in supporting the city’s cultural landscape and helping ensure art remains accessible to the community. “Art and media are different expressions of the same thing — they both capture how we live, what we value, and how we see ourselves,” she says.

Kia’s leadership is equally visible in philanthropy. She serves on the board of Dress for Success, helping women achieve economic independence through confidence and opportunity. Through Cantabrian Magazine, she has also established Hats and High Tea, an annual fundraising event that merges fashion, purpose, and generosity. “When beauty and giving back meet, it creates something deeply fulfilling,” she says. Giving to Breast Cancer Cure annually is also part of the way Kia gives back as well as her support of The Champion Centre in Christchurch.

Her influence in fashion is remains strong, having judged Fashion in the Field events across New Zealand, Kia brings both professional credibility and a refined aesthetic to every runway. Her relationship with New Zealand Fashion Week began when she first attended on assignment for Vogue Insiders and still recalls the energy that founder Pieter Stewart brought to the event. “Pieter built something extraordinary,” Kia reflects. “Her legacy will always endure, and I’m excited to see how NZFW continues to evolve under new leadership.”

Even as Cantabrian Magazine continues to grow, Kia’s approach remains grounded in quality and community. The publication’s weekly radio segment on Radio Aotearoa extends CM’s voice across the country, bringing its signature tone — sophisticated yet approachable — to a national audience. “Radio allows us to connect directly,” she notes. “It’s spontaneous, conversational, and real — that’s what today’s audience values.”

At the editorial core of CM, writer and broadcaster Nick Henare brings invaluable experience and perspective. “Nick’s insight into the media and hospitality industries gives the magazine such depth,” Kia says. “His understanding of storytelling and audience engagement helps shape the tone of everything we publish.”

While she’s been approached to expand CM into other regions, Kia remains measured. “Growth should be earned, not rushed,” she says. “Maintaining quality and authenticity will always come first.”

The next chapter for Cantabrian Magazine will see continued innovation, including the upcoming wedding page, which will spotlight Canterbury’s love stories, bridal fashion, and local venues through the magazine’s eco-luxe lens.

For Kia, entrepreneurship is as much about artistry as it is about leadership. “Media and creativity have power when they’re led by purpose,” she says. “If we can inform, inspire, and uplift — that’s the true measure of success.”