World’s first deer-milk cosmetics

The man who says he pioneered deer milking has launched a range of skincare products using the unusual milk.

Queenstown-based Graeme Shaw, former owner of Matakauri Lodge, said he first tried to milk deer in 2012, thinking to make deer milk cheese.

‘‘The brie and blue were fantastic, but then one day one of the ladies who was doing the milking said her skin was softer and more supple during the milking season.’’

He then convinced Landcorp to enter into a joint venture.

However, this has since been dissolved, with the state-owned enterprise going its own way having recently entered into an agreement with South Korean pharmaceutical company Yuhan to supply it with deer milk from some of its farms.

Shaw has now created a New Zealand brand called ko¯tia – a fusion of the Maori words for young woman and deer – and is launching a variety of products this month.

While he has partnered with Australian pharmaceutical company McPhersons, the products are manufactured by Auckland’s Shieling Laboratories.

He said one point of difference with the Landcorp venture was that the hinds and fawns were not separated.

While it meant a lower output, it brought about ‘‘happy hinds, healthy milk’’.

‘‘Our mission here at ko¯tia is to provide women across the world the highest quality premium skincare products with proven efficacy for nourishing and hydrating the skin,’’ he said.

The range has been developed by Sigrid Vorwerk, a New Zealand leading skin care formulator and cosmetic chemist.

It includes a purifying toner, exfoliating cleansing milk, cream mask, hydrating day cream, rejuvenating serum, regenerating night cream, a hydration mask and a hand and nail cream.

Prices range from $34 for the hand and nail cream up to $86 for the rejuvenating serum.