Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Country Life: Skinny-Dipping Inspires Back-to-Nature Rural Venture
When Blair Coates' parents took a skinny dip in the river running through the family farm one hot summer's day, little did they think it would inspire a skincare production line in the former cowshed.
"I can't actually remember a time it wasn't called Nudi Point, and it's just always been a very, very special place," Coates told Country Life.
Coates called his range of serums, balms and other skincare products after the swimming hole because "my number one criteria for the range was that it was 100 percent natural."
The former city banker and music teacher was also inspired to strike out in skincare after dealing with bad skin as a teen.
" just couldn't seem to work out why or how to get rid of it, and it was so bad that I was not confident to go to school on quite a few days, and I would wag school, or I would make up some excuse as to why I'm not feeling well enough to go because I was just getting teased and bullied."
Coates said he became "quite obsessed" about learning about skin care and all of the elements that help clear the skin.
He returned to the family land in the Takahue Valley south of Kaitaia 12 years ago and decided to launch Nudi Point using his earlier training as an aromatherapist.
His husband and mother are also involved in the business.
In a pristine lab, without a whiff of the cows who used to come through here, Coates showed Country Life how he mixes up a serum of several essential oils and decants it carefully into small blue bottles.
"We like to think that a little bit of Nudi Point magic goes in every little product that we send out."
That sense of place is an important selling point for Coates, especially as his is a small rurally-based business, now more reliant on online sales as retailers shutter in the cost-of-living crisis.
"I think it matters, you know, it's more than just a bunch of products that someone made and put on a shelf.
"It just shows a little bit more attention and care to everything that's created."
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Bill Bennett: Fixed Voice Rules Head For Deregulation
UN Department of Global Communications: United Nations Proposes New Global Dashboard To Measure Progress Beyond GDP
Banking Ombudsman Scheme: Fraud Check Delays Well Worth The Inconvenience, Says Banking Ombudsman
Asia Pacific AML: NZ’s Financial Crime Gap - Beyond The 'Number 8 Wire' Mentality
Westpac New Zealand: Kiwi Households Adapting Despite Widespread Cost Pressure Concerns, Westpac Survey Shows
University of Auckland: Kids’ Screen Use Linked To Long-Term Deficits In Self-Control And Attention
