Photography: Emily Chalk.
When Ria Vandervis first stepped onto the Shortland Street set in 2013, she had no idea just how much her life was about to change. Not only would she go on to spend more than a decade on New Zealand’s most iconic soap, but she’d also find something far more unexpected – a friendship for life.
From the very beginning, it was fellow actress Amelia Reid-Meredith – or “Sos” as she’s known to friends – who helped Ria, 41, feel instantly at home. So deep is their bond that the pair now feel like family and they even have matching tattoos to prove it!
Ria laughs, “When I joined Shorty, I thought people would be like, ‘Oh, hi, welcome!’ But everyone was working so hard and it felt a bit isolating. Then Sos came along and took me under her wing. We wentfor a wine and that was that – we just hit it off straightaway.”
Since then, the pals have shared incredible highs while embracing the freedom and fun of life in their twenties, as well as crushing lows. After working, living and partying together, now they’re embracing a new chapter as mums to their gaggle of adorable boys.
Ria and her husband Chris Ashton are parents to Ted, four, while Amelia and her actor husband Shadon Meredith share sons Arlo, 10, and Rudi, three. Joining Woman’s Day for a fun- filled photoshoot at Ria’s home on Waiheke Island, they reflect on just how much their friendship means. They show off matching ink on their wrists – a lightning bolt and a sun – inspired by their group chat name “Thunder and Lightning”.
A sisterhood of choice
Ria explains, “I don’t even know why it’s called that, but we just wanted to do something fun to signify our friendship. We don’t even have matching tattoos with our husbands!”
Auckland-based Amelia, 39, adds, “What we’ve got is beyond friendship. I don’t have a sister, so for me, Ria’s become that person. She’s a huge part of my life.”
Female friendship is something both take seriously and are incredibly grateful for. When Amelia left Shorty in 2016 to move to Nelson to take care of her mum Robyn, who had bowel cancer, Ria was a close support. Then after Robyn’s death in 2017, Amelia, Shadon and Arlo stayed with Ria and Chris in Auckland to help come to terms with the loss.
“We ended up being there for six months!” says Amelia, who will never forget the love and care her good friend gave.
“Ria was amazing. She helped me get through that time. Dealing with anything like that brings people closer together – it bonds you.”
Joy turned to heartbreak
At the same time, Ria and Chris, 40, were dealing with their own heartbreak. After years of trying to conceive, they were overjoyed to finally get pregnant – only for Ria to suffer a devastating miscarriage at the start of 2018.
“I remember Ria coming home from the hospital,” shares Amelia.
“It was so hard seeing her like that.”
Ria admits, “I was a mess. It was really, really bad.”
But having Amelia, Shadon, 40, and little Arlo under the same roof proved a lifeline. Arlo, who’s Ria and Chris’ godson, brought light and laughter into the house at a time when everyone was hurting.
Smiles in the midst of struggle
“We were all going through stuff,” reveals Ria.
“But we also had this gorgeous little boy, so we couldn’t just sit around being sad all day. In a strange way, it was one of the best times of my life.”
When Amelia and her family eventually found their own place, it turned out to be just 100m down the hill. Their lives continued to intertwine in unexpected ways. When Amelia and Shadon’s planned move to Australia was scuppered by COVID, they instead relocated to Waiheke, renting the house Ria was renovating at the time.
Weekends were spent together as their lives continued to naturally overlap. Meanwhile, Ria and Chris’ fertility journey continued until – in a moment they describe as “nothing short of miraculous” – Ria got pregnant with the help of her sister Lottie, who donated her eggs.
Welcoming their miracle boy
In December 2021, their son Teddy was born and unsurprisingly, Ria and Chris chose Amelia and Shadon as his godparents.
Ria enthuses, “He’s our miracle boy. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Motherhood also made Ria reassess where she was in life and what she wanted. After experiencing intense burnout, in 2024 she stepped away from Shorty. Just more than a year on, she says leaving was the best decision she could’ve made, while moving to Waiheke has brought a slower pace and a much-needed sense of balance.
“It’s such a bloody magical place to raise a child,” she tells.
“I thought I’d have to get a ‘normie’ job, but I’ve been able to keep doing the things I love.”
Busy with renovations and business
These days, Ria is still busy but in a different way. She’s working on new and exciting renovation projects, which she documents on Instagram, and she supports husband Chris in their printed apparel and promo business Konstruct.
But her greatest joy is being a wedding celebrant – this summer alone, she’s officiated more than 40 marriages.
“I still love doing weddings as much as I always have,” Ria reflects.
“Being part of the happiest day of people’s lives… What other job lets you do that? I feel very lucky.”
No regrets, big ambitions
Amelia also has no regrets about leaving the soap. It’s been nearly a decade, but her passion for acting has never wavered. And this year’s shaping up to be a big one, with a role on the new TVNZ drama Blue Murder Motel, plus several other projects.
She’s also an in-demand acting coach.
“I’m so passionate about the craft of acting and love supporting others to follow their dreams,” she shares.
No matter what lies ahead, Ria and Amelia know they’ll always have each other.
Ria smiles, “We’ve been through it all. We’ve really grown up together and we still have so much fun. We’re always laughing.”
