March/April
Dear Members
Once again our efforts to obtain an official beach have been rejected, this time by the Manukau City Council in respect of Kawakawa Bay. As in the ARA decision last year, the full Council decided to disregard the favourable recommendation of a sub-committee and deny us our simple request. From comments I have heard quoted it would appear we have a good deal of support within Councils; however none is prepared to be first.
Meanwhile the process of "freeing" all beaches continues at a steady pace. The article in the "Star" referred to in the last newsletter has brought some interesting and gratifying results. Firstly, not one letter of criticism to the Editor and secondly a much greater public awareness of the existence of unofficial beaches. This has led to a goodly sprinkling of white cottontails every fine Saturday and Sunday (of which we have had lamentably few at this end of the country).
I can speak personally only of Long Bay but have been informed that the situation is similar at Ladies Bay. There first-timers range from family groups to singles of both sexes and all ages, and even those ultra conservatives the teenagers. While these latter may make only a short visit and strip only on a dare or in a spirit of bravado, the others seem in the main to be completely genuine as numbers on beaches are swelling slowly, week by week.
Away from recognised beaches the idea is also spreading. I have been informed that on a recent Sunday - our best day since Labour Weekend - a girl of mid-twenties was seen naked in the middle of Takapuna Beach. While her courage must be commended, we do feel she may be forcing the pace a little. As one Manukau City Councillor remarked, nude bathers are not ordinary people but people who are ahead of the times. While this bather's presence on a "family" beach excited no protests our opponents, while they maybe few, are watching and will lose no chance to create a fuss that could rapidly undo much of the progress we have made.
The public ARE being converted. Let's not do anything to cause them to revert. Give us another year and a REAL summer and within twelve months all New Zealand beaches may be free.
Although only Auckland beaches are mentioned above, the feelings of Councils (and certainly the Police) are probably similar all over the country. Let's all keep the pot boiling, in a decent and restrained manner. As some of us used to write in our copy books "Little drops of water wear away a stone".
Most of you will be aware that publication of the NZ Naturist was suspended a few months ago while management sorted out a few problems. Publication is now to re-commence - a bigger, bolder and even better magazine, due to be in the hands of subscribers no later than April 1981. Rather than start out in debt to a bank, or other source, it was resolved at the recent AGM of the NZ Nudist Federation that each affiliated Club be invited to lend $1.00 per adult member, interest free, to the magazine. The loans will be repaid as soon as sales generate a cash flow - almost certainly within twelve months.
The funds of the Free Beach Group cannot sustain a loan of this size and we have forwarded $50.00 to the NZNF for the above purpose. Members who would like to make their own contribution to this cause are asked to forward their money to the Treasurer, FBG, who will forward it to the NZNF. Your generosity will be appreciated, and you will be repaid on the terms mentioned.
And something we can all do is contribute - letters, articles, pictures. The pictures need to be black and white, any size, or colour slides. These must be very good to be considered for publication, 35mm or larger. All pictures submitted must be accompanied by a model release form giving permission for the the picture to be published. About a third of FBG members are declared keen photographers, so what about sending your best efforts to --
The Editor
NZ Naturist
P O Box 2925
AUCKLAND.
And those of us who don't take pictures: we have all had embarrassing moments, some of us have a gripe or two, some even may be able to manage to tell of some good times; it's all news, and even if you don't think it amounts to much, others would like to read something from you. Let's all HAVE A GO!
If there is a small cross on the label on this envelope it means you have not paid your sub. You may not have received the last newsletter sent at the end of January. We are always sad to lose members this way but we can't allow the financial members to carry the unfinancial ones any longer.
Very best wishes to you all -
FREE BEACH GROUP MARCH DIARY AUCKLAND
| Sat 14 March |
LONG BAY High tide 2 p.m. Walk north around rocks to second beach.
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| Sun 15 March |
We have been invited to visit the Auckland Sun Club for the day. Meet at 11 a.m. at the Kelston Foodtown/Georgie Pie car park, corner Great North Road and West Coast Road. Please bring a contribution for afternoon tea. If wet, the day will be held on 5 April, same directions. |
| Sat 21 March |
BARBEQUE AT KARAKA BAY High tide 8.45 p.m. Full moon. From Riddell Road go down to the end of Peacock Street (parking may be a bit cramped). Take path to beach, walk to the right. Mussels provided, bring anything else you require, including warm clothing. |
| Sun 22 March |
HUIA High tide 11.20 a.m. |
Fri 27 March |
Adults $1.50, children 50 cents. Hosts: N.S.N.C.
CAMPING at Parakai and/or Warkworth. Please notify me if you will be making a weekend of it. |
| Sat 28 March |
OMAHA High tide 12.40 p.m. From Warkworth drive towards Leigh, then follow signs to Omaha. Walk east about 15 minutes. |
| Sun 29 March |
LONG BAY High tide 1.25 p.m. |
Sat 28 March |
ROUND THE BAYS RUN Yes, we are fielding a team for the Run this year. All enthusiastic starters please ring Robin, phone 534 33l8. |
Clive Green Health Centre, 14 Federal St. $3 single,
$5 double. This is our regular social evening, every Sunday, so come along and meet the crowd. |
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FREE BEACHES
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FREE BEACH GROUP APRIL DIARY AUCKLAND
Sat 4 April |
KAREKARE High tide 9.50 a.m. Beach walk for the fit and energetic. Wear shoes. Meet at the beach car park at 11 a.m. We will walk over the Zion Hill Track to Pararaha Valley, then back along the beach. |
| Sun 5 April |
KARIOTAHI High tide 10.20 a.m. From Waiuku turn left into Constable Road, then along Kariotahi Road and Gap Road. Walk south about half a mile. |
Sat 11 April |
LONG BAY High tide 12.50 p.m. Walk north around rocks to second beach. |
| Sun 12 April |
TAWHITOKINO High tide l.L5 p.m. Via Kawakawa Bay to end of coast road. Walk east around rock and over hill, about 30 minutes. No access between 12 noon and 3.30. |
EASTER CAMP AT PAPAMOA High tides 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. approx A get-together with the Bay of Plenty group. We will camp at Ocean Pines Motor Camp, P.O. Box 4023 Mt. Maunganui, phone 54265 Tauranga. Charges: $2.75 per night per adult, $1.25 children under 15, includes power. |
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| Fri 17 April |
OMAHA High tide 6.55 p.m. From Warkworth drive towards Leigh, then follow signs to Omaha. Walk east about 15 minutes. |
| Sat 1 April |
MOTUTAPU High tide 7.40 p.m. Blue Boats leave from ferry steps at 9.30 a.m. Adults $3.60 return, children $2.55. This is a trip of exploration, to see if we can find any suitable beaches. Nudity with discretion, please. |
| Sun 19 April |
KARIOTAHI High tide 10.10 a.m. |
Mon 20 April |
HUIA High tide 10.50 a.m. Park on road to Lookout, take track on left side to beach. |
Fri 24 April |
SWIM NIGHT AT RICARDO'S, PARAKAI 6.30 - 10 p.m. Adults $1.50, children 50 cents. Hosts: N.S.N.C. |
| CAMPING After the swim we will camp over the road on the Parakai Reserve or at Craigwell House. Please notify me if you are coming. |
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| Sat 25 April |
RIMMERS ROAD High tide 1.55 p.m. Muriwai North, turn off about a mile south of Helensville bridge, drive through forest. Park to the left of a water tank at sign for horse loading. Track through pines to beach. |
| Sun 26 April |
MURIWAI High tide 2.45 p.m. About half a mile before the beach, turn right into the road to the golf course, go one mile then turn left at some big pine trees, park at beach. |
| Enquiries and cancellations phone Adrianne Hsn 62979. |