PURE SKINCARE, LOCAL HANDS
Shaped by friendship and grounded in tradition, Matakana Tallow Co is a skincare brand built on simplicity and time-honoured ingredients.
Matakana Tallow Co began two years ago, unknowingly, in a home kitchen, when Haylee started rendering tallow for her family and friends. She was searching for something simple and natural, free from chemicals, artificial fragrances, and unknown ingredients. What she discovered was a product that helped nourish and hydrate the skin, while easing irritation associated with dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis.
As word spread, interest grew beyond her immediate circle, and two years later Matakana Tallow Co was officially formed by four locals – Haylee, Kylie, Sarah, and Zak – who grew up together in Matakana. Tallow, a by-product of beef, is naturally high in vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as fatty acids that support skin renewal and repair, while also providing antioxidant support, hydration, and overall barrier function.
It has been used as a cosmetic ingredient for centuries, particularly in traditional skincare practices where simple formulations were the norm. This history provided the foundation for Matakana Tallow Co’s first product range. Launched in late November 2025, the range consists of six whipped face and body creams, formulated with minimal ingredients to meet everyday skin needs.
The beef tallow used for Matakana Tallow Co is sourced just down the road from Matakana Local Prime, owned by Sam and Julia Paddison – locals who have farmed in the area for four generations. The cattle are grass-fed and kept in small herds from a young age, remaining in these herds for their entire lives. They are not stressed by transport, as they are humanely harvested on site. The beef then travels a short distance to the Matakana Butchery, owned by Sarah and her husband, Matt, where Haylee, Kylie, and Zak also work part-time. Matt carefully renders and filters the tallow six times to purify it, before Matakana Tallow Co. transforms it into products.
Having grown up together, the Matakana Tallow Co team remains close-knit, with each member involved in brainstorming, product development, testing, and packaging design. This structure ensures that every step – from the farm to the finished product – is handled by trusted local hands. Production remains small-batch, allowing for full traceability and quality control throughout the process. Matakana Tallow Co plans to release more thoughtfully crafted products throughout 2026, including a new bug balm and lip balm range.