All set to go at Cambridge Estate
Buyers have been quick off the mark in responding to Rangiora’s newest subdivision, Cambridge Estate, located in a prime position on the town’s western edge.
The first sod was turned in mid-February, with sales already brisk. Of the first 148 sections in stages 1-5, 86 have sold. Stage 1 titles are due out this November, with stage 2 and 3 titles to follow in February/March 2027.
Thoughtfully planned, with a focus on liveability, Cambridge Estate off Oxford Road spans 19.2 hectares of former farmland in West Rangiora. With Rangiora’s High Street shops and cafes just down the road, and easy access to quality schools and local amenities, this new subdivision is a compelling prospect for first-home buyers, families and downsizers alike. The location is convenient for city commuters, too, with Christchurch CBD only 30 minutes’ drive away. Adding to the appeal are future reserves and a planned commercial precinct.
Developer Ben Dormer and his family have deep roots in the Waimakariri District. Ben’s father, Mike Dormer, founded the Willows Cricket Club in Loburn, north of Rangiora, to provide first-class development opportunities for secondary school first 11s. Ben is committed to supporting the district to grow and thrive.
“We’re pleased to be off to such a positive start at Cambridge Estate with strong early market response,” says Ben, who has previously completed two other developments in Rangiora, Cambridge Court (15 sections, all sold) and Northside on River Rd (20 lots, eight sold, titles due in May).
“This is good solid ground for building on,” Ben says,
“We’re keeping it local at Cambridge Estate – we’re using local people, local contractors, and my brother Pete [Dormer Construction] is leading the earthworks and civil works.”
The Cambridge Estate land has a rich local history as a sheep and beef farm. The Corbett family, former owners of Rangiora’s Plough Hotel, used to breed thoroughbred horses there, too. Sisters Cath Kennedy and Barbara Corbett attended the sod-turning ceremony, marking a poignant transition for them as the old family farm makes way for a housing estate to help accommodate Rangiora’s ongoing growth needs.
The farm on the edge of town was rezoned as part of the Waimakariri District Plan, which aims to open up land for up to 17,000 new sections over the next 30 years.
“If you look at where this land is on a map, Cambridge Estate fits in so well as a natural extension of the town on that western side,” Ben says..
Project manager Kim Sanders says earthworks commenced in February and are now well underway, with civil works, infrastructure and roading due to be completed in spring.
Ray White Rangiora manager Stuart Morris says early investment in Cambridge Estate is largely coming from a mix of Canterbury and local North Canterbury builders, who are keen to get involved and create quality product for home buyers.
“It’s really encouraging, because they can see that Cambridge Estate is going to be popular and will have wide-ranging appeal,” Stuart says.
Sections are sized from 250sqm to 800sqm to meet buyers’ requirements, with the majority being around 400sqm. In total, 419 sections are being delivered through staged releases. Stuart says smaller sections are currently selling for under $300,000. With Canterbury riding high as an appealing place to live in New Zealand, due to its comparative affordability and relaxed lifestyle, Cambridge Estate is on track to flourish as a sought-after community that’s open, balanced and connected.
“As this subdivision evolves, we expect to see growing interest from owneroccupiers wanting to create dream homes here too,” says Stuart. “There are some beautiful sections around natural reserve areas in the master plan.”
