WELCOME TO KUMIKO’S

**Your luxury stay awaits**

Experience the timeless beauty of Japanese design in harmony with the pristine New Zealand landscape at Kumiko’s Guesthouse – your perfect haven amongst the vineyards of Waipara.

Kumiko’s story

Kumiko’s was built in 1995 by Waipara wine pioneer Russell Black for his wife Kumiko.

Kumiko’s was purchased in 2018 by Paul and Sue, your hosts, who have extensively renovated and upgraded the property since taking ownership, while staying true to the intent of the design.

Influenced by Kumiko’s heritage, the house comprises many of the elements found in the gracious architecture of traditional Japan:

an internal courtyard (genken) featuring the timeless composition of a zen garden
wide verandas designed for sitting within nature
interior spaces that include the extensive use of wood and stone; sliding screens that divide or expand spaces
a sunken dining room that encourages a sense of occasion at the table; and extensive architectural gardens that reflect the dramatic views of the shifting North Canterbury skies.

Kumiko’s is imbued with an overall sense of wabi-sabi, the Japanese design concept that can be loosely translated as the celebration of “perfect imperfection.”

Wabi-sabi favours the handmade, the crafted, the bespoke, the tactile, the sensory. It is the impulse behind the beautiful design inherent here.

Kumiko’s is a haven for those who yearn for the harmony of handmade beauty within nature.

KUMIKO’S GUEST HOUSE

Autumn leaf.jpg — The Guest House

When you book to stay with us at Kumiko’s, you are booking the full use of the house and gardens. The house caters comfortably to families, small groups, special occasions, and because of its generous design, is flexible to many configurations. We’re also happy to accommodate pets by negotiation. Contact us so we can accommodate your needs.

The Kitchen

Located in one of the most well provisioned parts of New Zealand, our chef’s kitchen has been renovated to include all the comforts of contemporary home cooking and boasts an abundant larder of local produce. Make the most of the professional oven with induction cook top, fridge with ice maker, and a dish drawer for low stress clean ups.

Dining space.jpg — The Dining Room

The dining room is designed in Japanese style to be slightly sunken, encouraging convivial conversation and a lingering stay. With 90 degree views, it is likely to be a favourite spot at any time of the day or night.

Sitting room looking to hills.jpg — The Living Room

Our living room looks directly to the hills of the Three Sisters and features an expansive view of the ever-changing Canterbury skies. Equally, in the summer, the room opens onto a northern terrace that is perfectly set up for an afternoon Pimms.

Fire book blanket.jpg — Cosy options

A huge log burner offers a tantalising prospect for stormy winter days and nights spent indoors with good friends and a dram of something special.

_Billiards table.jpg — The Billiards Room

Chalk up your cue, charge your glasses because Kumiko’s has a billiard table and it’s epic.

Master bedroom to east window.jpg — Sleep well

Our generous bedrooms all feature Seneca linens, and feather toppers and duvets.
The bathrooms are spacious natural stone spaces with rain-head showers, underfloor heating, and kimonos for wafting around and lounging in. We proudly use the Real World range of sustainably sourced and created products.

The Willow Suite

The Willow Suite is located on the ground floor of the house. The doors open onto a sheltered terrace that looks directly to the Omihi hills.

The Beech and Maple Rooms

The Beech and Maples Room are located on the first floor of the house in the east wing. The shared bathroom features a natural stone shower space, kimonos for wafting and lounging in, and the Real World range of sustainably sourced and created products.

There is a small kitchen space located in the east wing.

Hot tub.jpg — Kumiko’s garden

WABI-SABI: PERFECT IMPERFECTION
Kumiko’s garden has been designed and built by Christchurch designer and stonemason Mark Robberds of Terraforma to reflect the most harmonious blend of Japanese design with the dramatic environment that is the essence of North Canterbury.
Savour too the pared-back palette featuring local lime stone and basalt in harmony with wood; the small vistas of water; and the carefully curated plantings. Just beyond the northern terrace an outside fireplace and barbecue provides an idyllic spot to enjoy the sunset.
The north eastern garden offers an outdoor shower while the cedar hot tub presents the best seat in the house, both summer and winter.

Electric bikes.jpg — Ride the vineyard trails

EXPLORE THE TRAILS IN COMFORT
We have a fleet of electric bikes available for our guests to really get to know the local area. Weave your way through the vineyard trails and stop at the many award winning wineries to enjoy the true cellar door experience.

Putt shot.jpg — Golf

DRIVE PITCH PUTT
We have a unique three hole golf course, complete with water feature, that presents experienced and first time golfers the chance to pop on their plus fours and swing those clubs.

Hills sunset.jpg — Hike and things

“WALKING SOLVES EVERYTHING”
(ST. AUGUSTINE)
Kumiko’s has a multitude of walking trails just waiting to be discovered. In any season and in any weather, walking through the Waipara hills is one of life’s tonics.
We’re a great jumping off point to some spectacular locations for surfing and skiing too. Less than one hour’s drive in any direction will have you in the mountains, or in the surf.

LOCAL PROVISIONS

Looking out with Sue and Paul.jpg — Make yourself at home

We provide an abundant larder of luxury local produce for you to create meals at Kumiko’s to your liking. Our larder changes from season to season but will always include some of the local offerings listed below.
Check out the wine region and vineyard offerings here at North Canterbury Wines. And don’t miss the local farmer’s market every Saturday in nearby Amberley.

Larder supplies (complementary)

Rachel Scott bread - Rachel’s handmade bread is legendary, and made just down the road from Kumiko’s
Home made jam
Allpress Coffee
Ritual Tea
Local free range eggs
Lewis Road Butter
Locally made museli
Fresh organic milk and non-dairy options also available
Fresh yoghurt

Additional supplies are available on request and for a charge. Please let us know what we can help you with.

Black Estate

Deservedly awarded New Zealand Winery of the Year in 2017 & 2019 as well as sporting 2 Cuisine hats, Black Estate is that rarest of fine dining restaurants able to combine a welcoming, relaxed experience with utterly exceptional food and wine.

Like Kumiko’s, Black Estate is all about the perfection of seasonal eating and drinking, and its menu showcases everything our unique part of the world has on offer. Check the Black Estate website for menu options. Let us also help you arrange additional off-menu requests with Black Estate.