Dr Bragan (87), a retired psychiatrist, is the face of a new region-wide advertising campaign for the Presbyterian Support Otago-owned retirement village.
The full-page advertisement which appeared in an Otago Daily Times publication this week says he ''is living a life that many people can only dream of ... but as much as he loves the company of women he'd like some mates''.
The claim was not entirely true, Dr Bragan said, as he was actually ''very happy'' in his all-female neighbourhood.
''There's some fine women in this place. Real characters. Strong characters. And quality people ... Gender is not an issue.''
Among them is his wife Ishbel (86), with whom he moved to the village a year ago.
Since then, the 17 women to one man ratio had become a great source of amusement among Dr Bragan's golfing friends.
''I get teased quite a lot about it ... I don't know whether they're envious or think I'm crazy.''
He initially had ''very little enthusiasm'' for appearing in the promotion when approached by Presbyterian Support, ''but I've gone along with it, so I have to pay the price''.
That included getting a ''real roasting'' on the golf course this week after the advertisement was published, but ''I'm quite happy to be a bit of a joke around the place ... I think it is a good joke''.
Presbyterian Support Otago communications, fundraising and marketing director Monica Lindemann said despite Dr Bragan's initial reluctance, he had taken to being a ''centrefold'' of sorts very well in the end.
''Isn't he cute? We are quite keen to support Ken and diversify our village population a little more, so we're using humour to draw attention to the beautiful village and try and entice a few more couples.''
The village women had been ''wonderful sports'', too.
''They've all had a bit of a giggle ... I think they're all looking forward to [the advertised village open days] ... to see who might pop by to meet them all.''
