Blog

  • Sunset Wanderers: When the herd knows the way better than any map

    Wandering Goats Weave Home Among Wild Seedheads

    Going Home

    Sunset Wanderings

    What is it about goat herd behaviour that makes me think of cats?

    The photo above was taken around sunset. This article describes some of their activities during the day.

    Goats are creatures of ritual. They chart their days by the sun’s position, always seeking warmth and shelter from the wind. Their grazing follows a circular pattern, returning to familiar routes and favourite spots with clockwork regularity.

    Their day unfolds in gentle chapters. They rise early, venturing out to graze before returning to their sleeping camp to bask in the morning warmth.

    Sunset Feline. GoatMIlkSoapNZ Cats
    Feline good in the sun.

    Mid‑morning finds them in a different zone—one reserved for that hour—before they settle into stillness through the heat of the day.

    Like cats, they drift from one warm pocket to the next, following a private map only they seem to understand.

    Perhaps it’s this sun‑chasing rhythm, this quiet loyalty to place and time, that makes goat herd behaviour seem similar to felines.

    Sunset is not here yet. Midday activities.  Paddock Prattle-Goat adds her comment about the newborn kid on the paddock.
    Paddock Prattle. Some other goats in the herd have plenty to say about the new arrival kids.

    As shadows lengthen, they begin their final browsing session, weaving their way back through the golden grass before sunset. It’s after this homeward journey that we collect them for milking.

    Sunset Wanders return to the milking stand.
    A January 2026 Milking Session

    What better way to end the day than a dip into the treats in the trough? This is the life that creates Milk Relief Soap.

    Announcing The Big Spenders Sale

    6 Milk Relief Soap Ingredients

    Thanks for reading. If you wish to hear from us directly via email, please use the form below.

  • Look At Those Soulful Eyes

    Goat Milk Soap NZ Goat Triplet August 21 2020
    21st of August 2020. 5 1/2 years ago at the time of posting.

    Our Doe Completely Relaxed In Gentle Hands

    You can see it, can’t you? That trusting gaze, the way she’s completely relaxed in gentle hands. This beautiful girl was born here on our Southland farm in August 2020. She is one of the 2020 Triplets. They grew into everything we love about our herd.

    • Calm.
    • Affectionate.

    The type who’ll walk right up to you in the paddock, not because she wants food, but simply because she enjoys the company.

    Those distinctive markings—the soft browns and creams, the dark “stockings” on her legs—is a now a theme among most of our herd.

    Respect. This Is Why We Farm the Way We Do.

    When you raise goats with patience and respect, when they know gentle handling from their first day, it shows. In their behaviour. In their health. And yes, in the quality of their milk.

    Our goat milk soap starts with does like her. Goats who spend their days on clean pasture, who receive proper nutrition, and who trust the people caring for them. That milk—rich, nourishing, full of natural goodness—is what adds to our soap its signature creamy lather and skin-loving properties.

    The Real Story Behind Every Bar

    We could tell you about the vitamins and fatty acids in goat milk. We could list all the reasons it’s gentler than commercial soap. But honestly? It comes down to this: soap made from happy, healthy goats raised with care simply works better. Your skin knows the difference.

    When you wash with our soap, you’re connected to mornings spent checking on new kids, to quiet moments like the one in this photo, to the daily work of farming with compassion. That’s not marketing—that’s just the truth of what we do here.

    These goats aren’t just livestock to us. They’re individuals with personalities, preferences, and those incredible eyes that seem to look right into you. We’re honoured to care for them, and grateful we can share what they provide with you.


    Browse our range of handcrafted goat milk soaps at goatmilksoap.co.nz

  • Big Spenders Have $15 Off

    6 Milk Relief Soap Ingredients

    Big Spenders lather up the savings this month by applying the code found in the newsletter we just sent out.

    Every order of $75 or more, this month on this site when using the discount code, gets $15 off.

    Discount code applies. See the newsletter email for details.

  • Salty: When Goats Get Salty. A Stallside Standoff

    Farm Life: A Goat’s Side-Eye

    Salty. That’s the only way to describe the side-eye look I received while I took a video of my beautiful goat. Take a look.

    I can’t look at that face in the Thumbnail of this video without laughing!

    Goats are so unpredictable and usually delightful to talk to. The following videos shows our males at bedtime. No salty looks, no drama. Just simple bedtime routines, shared with the chickens.

    I was so taken by this short video today, I thought I need to make a post here on the website so people can click through to YouTube and enjoy it.

    We hope you enjoyed one or both of these videos. There is more on our channel. YouTube.com/@goatmilksoapnewzealand

  • Our Baby’s Skin Crisis Exposed the Truth About Soap

    Our Baby’s Skin Crisis Exposed the Truth About Soap

    The heartbreaking reason for our decision to make Goat Milk Soap.

    Back in the 1990s, our first child arrived in the world and looked a little overbaked on arrival. Of course, we were delighted the baby was alive and well. At the same time, we were a little concerned. We thought we could overcome this dry skin with a moisturiser. “It’ll be fine”, we thought.

    We cared for our child with everything we had. But one day, skin drama erupted—an overnight disaster. Redness, dryness, discomfort. It was heartbreaking. There were trips to the doctor. The skin specialist, and the most powerful cream our government allowed the doctor to prescribe.

    “You can only use this for a few days, he said…”

    We needed a way to keep the skin clean, without irritating dry skin.

    In time, one of the grandparents suggested we change the soap to a “pure soap”. We started importing and using some. We had taken on the route of changing soap to prevent dry skin symptoms.

    Dry skin is a common problem, and a common solution is to layer the skin with man-made products from a factory.

    With the pure soap product, we were using a factory-made solution. It was very helpful, but we thought it probably did not have all-natural ingredients.

    We began importing a pure soap product and saw real improvement. It was a turning point. We had unknowingly stepped into a new way of thinking—choosing soap not just for cleanliness, but for skin health.

    Would you like to hear more from us? We have a newsletter.

  • Which locations are our products available for delivery?

    Milk Relief Soap is available on GoatMilkSoap.co.nz and PalmOilFreeSoap.com. Lano Relief Skinsticks, are only available for overseas delivery. We will not make any more of these sticks for sale. Kawakawa Skinsticks are currently only available for New Zealand delivery. These sticks will replace Lano Relief Sticks on the PalmOilFreeSoap.com site.

    products available for delivery in New Zealand

    Above you can see the current product lineup. Kawakawa Skinsticks and Milk Relief Soap. Lano Relief Skinsticks will be fazed out. They are no longer available for delivery in New Zealand, from Friday 28th of June, 2024. Lano Relief Skinsticks are currently only available for delivery outside New Zealand.

    Discover the Availability of Our Unique Relief Products

    At our company, Shy Sheep Limited, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, specialized products.

    Our products are designed to bring comfort and temporary relief to our customers. Whether you’re looking for soothing skin solutions or specialized care products, we have something for everyone. Below, you’ll find information about where you can purchase our various products, including Milk Relief Soap, Lano Relief Skinsticks, and Kawakawa Skinsticks.

    Milk Relief Soap

    Milk Relief Soap is a product loved by users because it is known for its gentle and nourishing properties. Users believe it is perfect for itchy skin, providing a soothing cleanse without creating itchiness. We’re pleased that Milk Relief Soap is widely available:

    – **Online**: You can purchase Milk Relief Soap from both online stores. This makes it easy for customers to buy this soothing soap from the comfort of their homes, in most locations.

    Kawakawa Skinsticks

    Kawakawa Skinsticks harness the power of the Kawakawa plant, renowned for its natural healing properties. These skinsticks are designed to soothe irritated skin and provide natural temporary relief. Availability is currently focused on our home market:

    – **New Zealand**: Kawakawa Skinsticks are exclusively available for delivery within New Zealand. Our local customers can easily access this incredible product, and we are exploring options to expand our shipping capabilities in the future.

    Lano Relief Skinsticks

    Lano Relief Skinsticks are a fantastic option for those who need targeted skin relief. Lanolin, a product of sheep wool is the base of these skinsticks. It offers deep moisturization and healing properties. The inclusion of Lanolin makes them ideal for moisturising dry or cracked skin.

    Kawakawa Skinsticks have Lanolin in them. However, availability is currently limited to specific regions:

    – **Overseas**: Lano Relief Skinsticks are only available for purchase in overseas markets. We have limited stock while we faze the product out. For now, international customers can enjoy the benefits of this exceptional product, while stocks last.

  • NZ Post Made Me Do It Just When We…

    NZPost prices increase. We have had to increase the lowest shipping rate for our items, by $2 an order.

    In New Zealand, pretty much all of our deliveries are done by NZPost. Since CourierPost has been enveloped by NZPost, New Zealand Post provides a reliable delivery service.

    On the odd occasion that they don’t deliver as can be expected, they have the tools to sort it out for us.

    NZ Post Made Me Do It Just When We Least Want To.

    Post has recently communicated postage price increases, which will affect all orders sent by us within New Zealand.

    We do not charge our customers for all of the services they provide. For example, we do not charge customers extra for living on a rural delivery run. We do not charge for checking why the order has been delayed either. For the most part, it is not Post’s or our fault.

    How much is the price increase to our customers? It is an additional $2 per order for any orders that used to attract a $5 fee. This is effective immediately. 

    We understand that our soap is not inexpensive. However, we also recognize that purchasing soap or skincare sticks like the ones we offer is usually not an optional expense for many customers.  

    No one else does what we do, and we don’t do it for fun. Adding cost to the minimum orders is not a decision we have made lightly.

    Why now?

    We have been obsorbing price increases from Post, every year. Sometimes we adjust prices in one area of our offering and sometimes we don’t.

    In this case, NZPost’s price increase is prompting a response from us. That response has been to increase the price of posting just a few bars at a time.

    Are we concerned this increase will put off first time buyers?

    No, we think that first time buyers can look at the testimonials make a decision on the necessity of trialing our soap or skincare stick on the value the product offers, not on the price of the product in comparison with the postage.

    Since CourierPost has been enveloped by NZPost, New Zealand Post provides a very reliable delivery service to our customers. On the odd occasion that they don’t, they have the tools to sort it out for us.

    So this particular NZPost price increase has elicited a response from us.

    To find out if this will affect your next order, proceed to the shop area now.

    NZ Post Made Me Do It Just When We Least Want To.

    So this particular NZPost prices increase has elicited a response from us.

    To find out if this will affect your next order, proceed to the shop area now.

  • 6 December 2023 – New Product Available

    The June 2024 blog post provides up-to-date details. https://goatmilksoap.co.nz/which-locations-are-our-products-available-for-delivery/

    We have no soap products for sale at this time. But we have a new product which will be a 60 gram skin stick. Sixty grams per stick. A very New Zealand product it shall be.

    We have a new product which will be a 60-gram skin stick. Sixty grams per stick. A very New Zealand product it shall be.

    The new product will replace the Lano Relief Skin Stick. The whole family have tried the new stick. It is amazing but completely different.

  • Do Milk Goats Bite Ears To Compete For Food?

    Is it ok for goats to butt heads and bite ears just to eat food?

    Video of healthy goat behaviour in the shed at feeding time. (They graze grass outside during the day).

    It’s true.

    Milk goats bite the ears of herd mates to compete for food.

    It’s normal and fear of missing out means they eat more food.

    Humans are not goats.

  • Summer 2023 Goat Baby Surprise

    Summer 2023 has been punctuated by the arrival of goat babies.

    In September 2022 we posted a video of a goat with a swollen belly. Well, she had twins.

    Then we posted a video on the YouTube of Grandma Goat. Let’s take a look at the first goat mentioned.

    Goat’s first birth results in twin boys.

    Here is another look at the same goats in the shed at night, again in the summer of 2023. The coloured goat pictured below is just photo bombing….

    So that is the news from the white goat with the bulging belly.

    I see that there have been no updates from the blog about Goat Milk Soap so far in the summer of 2023. We have been busy. I know that there is no excuse. But it is a fact.

    We hope you enjoyed one or both of these videos. There is more on our channel. YouTube.com/@goatmilksoapnewzealand