Our Story
Creating Legendary Sheep Milk
Legend has it that Māui, after being denied a fishing trip by his brothers, crafted a magic hook and used his own blood as bait to catch the North Island of Aotearoa. Undeterred by impossible odds, Māui created Aotearoa and slowed down the sun, inspiring generations with his legendary spirit.
Just like our Māori hero Māui, who rose to legendary status through boldness and innovation, we,Maui, too are stepping into a new league. We’re proud to be at the forefront of New Zealand’s emerging sheep dairy industry, as the New Zealand Herald put it.
Our focus is on breeding the best dairy ewes to suit New Zealand’s farming system. We aim to produce high-quality sheep milk while promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring the health and happiness of our animals. This commitment leads to products that achieve legendary status. Our skilled team, strong partnerships, and growth plans drive us to innovate, much like Māui and our forebears. We are dedicated to harnessing our resources effectively and will stop at nothing to blaze new trails
WHY WE STRIVE TO BE LEGENDARY
UNIQUE Position
Just as legend says Māui pulled up a giant fish to form the North Island of New Zealand—his waka becoming the South Island—we too are shaped by a deep connection to the land. At our Waikino Station near Lake Taupō, our farms are built on passion, innovation, and hard work. Across 1,270 hectares of fresh grass and clean water, nearly 6,000 sheep thrive, cared for with the same respect for nature and heritage that runs through New Zealand’s stories.
FRIENDLY Environment
Just as Māui once slowed the sun to give people more daylight for living, working, and eating, we at Maui believe in collaborating with nature rather than against it. To lead a true life, we treat the land and our animals with the highest respect. This is why our sheep milk is premium quality, produced naturally without intervention, and our sheep are free to roam New Zealand’s abundant pastures. It’s a gentler, more sustainable approach that reflects our values and honours the environment we are proud to be part of.
TECHNOLOGY Advances
Just as Māui brought fire to the world from Mahuika, the goddess of fire, igniting progress and possibility, we’ve sparked innovation of our own. At Maui, we’ve developed the Southern Cross: a one-of-a-kind breed of sheep created from East Friesian, Awassi, and Lacaune genetics. This hardy, healthy ewe is perfectly suited to New Zealand’s environment and produces high-quality milk, rich in the nutrients your body needs.
Why Sheep Milk
Sheep milk is highly valued for its nutritional benefits, offering about 60% more protein than cow or goat milk, along with significantly higher levels of vitamins and minerals, including four times the vitamin C and five times the folate of goat milk. It naturally contains DHA for brain function and higher lactoferrin levels, which help combat infections.
Notably, sheep milk is easier to digest due to its exclusive A2 beta-casein protein, making it suitable for those with dairy sensitivities. With smaller fat globules, it takes only 45 minutes to digest, compared to cow’s milk, which can take up to four hours. Maui Sheep Milk Powder provides a gentle option good for the whole family.
AT MAUI, WE MAKE THE HIGHEST QUALITY SHEEP MILK PRODUCTS USING THE BEST OF WHAT THE NEW ZEALAND ENVIRONMENT PROVIDES.
EVERY DROP OF MAUI SHEEP MILK COMES FROM SOUTHERN CROSS® DAIRY SHEEP
Maui's successfully developed the Southern Cross® breed of dairy sheep and continue to strengthen its genetics every season through investment into the Southern Cross genetics programme. Our genetic specialists secured direct access to genes from progeny tested Lacaune sires in France to create this composite breed. Every season, Maui's team of independent milk supply farms utilise Southern Cross® rams to continue improving the genetics of their flock, in turn increasing their milk yields, and producing exceptional sheep dairy products for Maui Sheep Milk.
MAUI WHOLESALE
Address: Maui Food Group
10E, 17 Albert Street,
Auckland CBD 1010
Email: info@mauifood.co.nz
Phone: +64 9 212 5536