Sept - Oct 1992
HELP WANTED

 

seriously, all members !!!

we do require a new (SECRETARY) and a new (PRESIDENT).

The continuation of the club requires it. We require a secretary this year. We need someone to come on the committee as soon as possible to be president next year. Without these officers the club must be wound up in accordance with our rules. You will get all the help you need from last year's officers.

 

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

 

Our A. G. M. was attended by 41 members. A special welcome to members from Wellington, Hamilton. New Plymouth, Gisborne, Thames and many other places. Auckland members were almost outnumbered. It was disappointing that there were no nominations for president. After some considerable discussion I agreed to carry on this year on the clear understanding that I will not continue next year. I did not want the club to wind up at this time. No secretary was elected and it was suggested that the new committee elect a secretary from their own number in committee. This has not been successful although most of the work is going to be shared around. Please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to come on the committee. The Wellington members were astounded at the apathy of the Auckland members.

The committee is a dedicated band and requires your help to keep the club going. The help we got to unsuccessfully fight the recent by-law was almost non existent - do something now.

 

Subscriptions have been held at $10 again this year. We just broke even this year. There was an update on the North Shore City by-law - see notes later in this newsletter. We must admire the Wellington member's enthusiasm.

 

After the meeting 4 members went to the Waiwera pool for some enjoyment. Many were disappointed with the extensive changes but most made the most of it and I don't remember much more. A group of us stayed the night in the motor camp. The sunrise was magnificent.

 

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

 

[Page 2]

 

NORTH SHORE UPDATE

 

THE BY-LAW HAS BEEN PASSED. There were only about six submissions from club members in the Auckland area. You were all notified in time and this number was so disappointing. Only four of us went along to the sub committee meeting. Our thanks to all those who did send in submissions. The by-law was passed on the clear understanding that it had taken up too much council time and was quicker to pass than to get it right. Councillors did say that it was formulated at the request of the police to keep potential rapists, child molesters, and other undesirables off the beaches. We include copies of letters from the council and the police on their attitude to the by-law. Keep them for future reference.

 

HOW DOES THIS BY-LAW AFFECT YOU.

 

(These comments apply to the by-law - the summary offences act still applies.)

 

1. It only applies above mean high water springs (MHWS). This is the average of the two highest tides in the last spring tide cycle, and will vary with wind and barometric pressure (1 cm / mBar). The inspector will need to show you this point on the beach, e.g. on St Leonards beach MHWS is often up the cliff. On most of the beaches the grass grows almost down to MHWS. The by-law therefore does not apply to most of the sand area. The council said they would need to survey the beach each spring tide.

 

2. HOW IS IT POLICED By council inspectors acting on complaints only. The police are not involved but have said they will use it as proof of the majority view in a prosecution under the Summary Offences Act. We have been told that they may try but will probably not be permitted to do this because the Summary Offences Act takes precedence. Under some circumstances nudity is acceptable and we may be able to counter the police argument with the majority view that nudity is acceptable.

 

3. HOW IT APPLIES A minimal G string is now acceptable swimwear on any NS beach for anyone over 12 yrs, nude for under 12 yrs. You may be nude on any NS beach if there is no other person on the beach who complains. You may go into the water. If someone comes onto the beach who complains you may remain nude and remain below MHWS mark. It is only when you move above this mark that the pubic area must be hidden from view of those who complain. It may be hidden by almost anything such as turning the other way, sitting or lying down, a newspaper, bringing one leg up or even - as it has been so aptly suggested - using some friendly butterflies. We understand from what was said at the council meeting that this is acceptable.

 

4. WHAT TO DO Put bums on beaches - demonstrate we are not the undesirables the council have been told we are. If approached by an official ask for identification and authority. An important point is to take a pen and paper and write down everything - you are entitled to do this. Tell them to slow down so you can do this. Record everything that is said and your answers, time and place etc. Keep the club fully informed. Don't escalate the problem by arguing. It may be more prudent to cover the pubic area (by turning over) and wait for the official to go away. This is entirely in your hands. Go to the police on an individual basis and discuss how to help them to clear undesirables from your beach. Suggest something along the lines of the neighbourhood support group. After all they cannot object to this idea. They have suggested to one or two individuals that they supply a camera to capture undesirable activity. One of the main things to try to do is to set up a rapport with a member of the police and try to deal with him (or her) so you are not taken as a busybody or a nuisance - balance things out.

 

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

Note on St Leonards Beach. The grammar school above the beach complained they could not use the beach for education purposes because of nudists following the pupils around. We request that all members avoid using the beach during school hours. We have told the school that we make up only a small percentage of nudists that use the beach. It is up to the school to approach non members.

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

 

[Page 3]

 

PHOTO AND DRAWING COMPETITION RESULTS

 

1st Carol B. $100.00
2nd Bill O.   $50.00
3rd Frank B.  $25.00

Drawing Adrienne J. $25.00

 

Start taking your photos for next year. Theme —

THE UNEXPECTED OR UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FREE BEACH GROUP.

 

**************************

 

BEACH LIST: The 1992 Beach List is now ready and can be ordered on your YELLOW form. Please let us know if any of the details in your beach list need updating, especially camping facilities in particular, we would like to know what provision there is for camping at Muriwai, and also at Whangapoua.

---------------------------

 

 

The 41st NZNF Rally is to be held at the Hawkes Bay Sun Sun Club from Monday 28 December to Sunday 3 January. A comprehensive sports and entertainment program has been organised. There are plenty of camping sites available but no power sites. A limited number of hire caravans are available.

 

Costs: $85 per head (all inclusive) reduced to 75% if paid in full by 31 October 1992. $10 per head day visits, extra $3 if staying overnight. Full Rally fees are payable only by adults or those over 18 years of age.

 

For more details contact either Jim on (09) 575-9730, or write to the Rally Co-ordinator, PO Box 94, Napier. Phone (06) 870-0926.

 

 

++++++++++++++++++++XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX++++++++++++++++++++

 

memories;   From the corner of your mind; Bernard Holibar; our archivist, who is writing a history of the FBG, has asked members to write down your memories of the early history of the group which may otherwise get lost or forgotten and send them to him C/- our box number. Also, would anyone who has any old club records please send them to us for safe keeping.

 

//////////////////////

 

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER IS SEPTEMBER 30th. We need to receive copy in Auckland by this date and remember all copy goes to our Auckland box number.

©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©

 

 

Ngatuhoa will be coming up at the end of January. Don't miss your next Newsletter with all the details.

 

STOP PRESS

Extra NGATUHOA Weekend before Xmas: 5/6 December, 1992.
For more details contact either Jim on (09) 575-9730,

or Glenda Harper on (07) 542-0290.

 

 

 

[Page 4]

 

 

LOCAL CONTACTS

 

 

 

ææææææææææææææææææææææææææææææ

N.B. Members have requested their full names not be printed. We have decided to do the same for everyone unless requested otherwise. Perhaps we should have done it sooner.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

We have received a letter from the owners of the Waiwera Pool Complex in reply to our complaint about the cold conditions and poor food at the post AGM evening. They apologise for the problems experienced, and have invited the Committee to a meeting to discuss future action. We are told that the completed alterations will include a dome roof over the pool and self contained toilets.

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS

Yellow Renewal form have been included, and you should send your sub and order for items now. Prices of items are as follows:

Subscription .. .. $10 Beach List     .. .. $3-50           T Shirts .. .. $12
Beach flags   .. .. $12 Car stickers       .. .. 50c
Name tags    .. ..    $7 Sew on badges .. .. 50c

 

 

AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER

 

SAUNA		Still steaming on Sunday nights
Place		Aladdin's Bathhouse, 433 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn
Time		Every Sunday from 5pm onwards (even over Xmas)
Cost		$6.50 including free coffee & fruit drinks.
Social Nights		Second Sunday of every month.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HOT POOL NIGHTS - PARAKAI TOURIST COMPLEX Last complex on left going through Parakai, now held last Saturday of each month, 4pm to 10pm.

NEXT NIGHTS Sept 25th, Oct 31st, Nov 28th, Subject to confirmation from the Hibiscus Club.

Adults $5.00 Children free, Chinese takeaways on site, Nude swimming only please.

=================================

TINOPAI If you wish to camp there please ring in advance. Contact is Don Ovens. Phone (089)
4317 195.

 

SOCIAL NIGHT
This will be Saturday 31st. October. The venue is the hot pools at PARAKAI and will also incorporate the monthly swim-night. The usual entrance fee will be charged and a light meal provided. Bring a little extra money for raffles etc.

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

[Page 5]

	WELLINGTON NEWS
	September - October, 1992

 

WE CAN'T TAKE THIS, LYING DOWN !!!   "It's strange and sad that more Kiwi nudists don't appreciate the unbelievable freedom they have and the rare degree of tolerance that exists amongst the population. What a splendid country in which to exploit this freedom. Larger than California and more than twice the area of Britain, yet with a population of just over 3 million people, the opportunities to go nude are incredible but under-exploited. It should now be common to see naked people amongst the clothed population, fully integrated and exercising both their own personal and legal rights. Instead, predominantly, with the exception of one clothing optional resort which we visited, and the Free Beach Group, nudists still tend to gather behind fortress-type enclosures, and many relish their anonymity. With freedom breaking out around the world and walls coming down, maybe it's time for naturists and resorts to demolish their own mental and physical walls and barriers."   This quote, part of the commentary on Heritage Video's beautiful film "Naked Down Under," is a very accurate and perceptive view of the state of nudism in New Zealand. The quote is all the more remarkable for its lucidity, given the brevity of time spent in New Zealand by the Heritage Video team.   This commentary on nudism in New Zealand was made, of course, in the light of nudism overseas. Elsewhere?e, nudism has had to fight in order to gain legal recognition. It may be a tendency for us in New Zealand simply to think that Europe is liberal and, therefore, nudity has become an openly accepted state, without any positive efforts on the part of European nudists. One can be forgiven for imagining this to be the case, especially when one thinks, for example, of many hundreds of nudists enjoying their freedom in the English Garden in Munich, right in the centre of the city.   This is not the case. Nudity is permitted in the English Garden in Munich because, in 1980, the Munich government set aside a number of legal areas for nude bathing. Similarly, nudity is legal throughout Denmark because the law has positively declared that nudity is not illegal. Here in New Zealand, we need to appreciate the fact that public nudism in Europe had to pass through stages, from being illegal to being made legal. It was only after this initial ground-work had been done that unofficial acceptance of nudism became more widespread.   It is in this light that the team from Heritage Video made their commentary about the "unbelievable freedom" that nudists have here in New Zealand. It is possible that a number of Kiwi nudists do not actually appreciate just how fortunate we are in our country. I am convinced that a number of nudists do not appear to have grasped the significance of our nation-wide legal freedom. New Zealand is almost unique throughout the world: public nudity is legal! We don't have to go through the legal hassles of having beaches or parks officially set aside for our nude recreation and enjoyment.

They are already open to us - legally open to us: they are waiting for us, so to speak, to invade them and enjoy them, by exercising our legal and natural nude rights!   Unfortunately, however, the team from Heritage Video were forced to observe that our "opportunities to go nude are incredible but under-exploited." This is a sad, but very true, commentary.   Such a commentary is all the more to be lamented when one considers the recent submission made by the New Zealand Nudist Federation to the North Shore City Council. I find it absolutely staggering and bewildering to see that the NZNF submission to the Council actually supports the by-law to ban nude bathing from beaches within the jurisdiction of North Shore City!!!   It is totally irrelevant that the NZNF submission was conditional. Whether or not a beach, or beaches, would be set aside where the by-law would not be applicable is totally beside the point. There are fundamental principles at stake. There are broader, more basic issues at stake.   It would be a step backwards to fight for "legal" nude beaches. Currently, we are the envy of Europe because of the legal status that nudity already enjoys in New Zealand. To fight for legal beaches would be akin to reversing our current situation: nudity would be deemed to be illegal on all beaches not positively declared legal. We would find ourselves back in 1970 s Europe, when public nudism had to strive for freedom - freedom that we already have.   For the NZNF - the official representative body for nudists in New Zealand - to support a measure with such implications and consequences, is absolutely staggering. To me, it indicates that the NZNF has abdicated its role of promoting and protecting nudism. It implies that they would be content for nudity to become de facto illegal. It could imply that they are prepared to remain forever in their "fortress-type enclosures." Within that perspective, it would show a sad disregard for those genuine nudists throughout the country who are not members of Sun Clubs.   Other than the broad issues of principle at stake, there are practical considerations also: a beach that has been declared legal can easily be declared illegal. We need look no further than the Tasman. Come on, Kiwi nudists! Is this what we want?   Only the future will tell if other local authorities now endeavour to follow the precedent set by North Shore City Council. Hopefully, things may not degenerate that far.   The most positive way to prevent other authorities from following suit is to challenge the by-law. Well and good, if we can have it overturned through the court system. Well and good, if court cases prove the by-law to be ridiculous and impractical.   Therefore, as I have already indicated in a previous article, we must continue to practise our public nudism with as much boldness as is prudently and practically possible. Frank Peek

---

 

RANGI WOODS CAMP 1993

Neil has made preliminary arrangements for next year's Rangi Woods camp. Wellington Anniversary weekend has been proposed, which is the weekend before Ngatuhoa. This would enable a Summer holiday triangle including Riverlands/Rangi Woods/Ngatuhoa. Else we may delay Rangi Woods until mid February. Full details next Newsletter.

 

 

[Page 6]

 

 

More Wellington NEWS		WINTER ACTIVITIES Continue.   The Sun Club's organised swim nights have continued to be a successful monthly event for the Free Beach Group, a pity that only half a dozen sun club members made the last one. There was a minor problem with "peeping Toms" one night so pool staff stayed on duty last time and will be there next. The pool staff showed one of our group how to create a great atmosphere by using the coloured lights instead of the main lights.   The last sauna night was scheduled for the Friday night that a number of Wellington members headed for the AGM in Auckland. It wasn't actually cancelled but a very low turnout was expected. The Saunas have been providing another mid-winter opportunity for club uniform.   Rick & Meryl held another pot luck tea the month before last. Once again a very enjoyable evening. It is hoped to hold one "textile" event per month, last month's was the bowling afternoon, reported separately as it was a first. The main aim of such events is not so much to disrobe but to have a social gathering, hence the "textile" title, disrobing is of course NOT discouraged.   The Annual Mid-Winter party/swim based on Bill's abode was held with about 20 people turning up. Bill's usual good selection of party games, the highlight being the folded paper drawing, there was also "art lessons" using live nude models, singing practice and a memory game. Six (fool?)hardy males took the plunge into Wellington Harbour.   There will be a meeting in the next week or so to discuss the summer calender so watch this space.   Odette and Trevor Greer     BOWLS ANYONE?   On Saturday 15th August, approximately 20 people attended a tenpin bowling afternoon at Strikeline in Porirua. Owing to the number of people, Strikeline gave us a social club discount, and didn't charge for the pre-schooler. For the children who couldn't handle even the lightweight bowls, they had ramps to launch the bowls from. The bowling alley has separate refreshment and bar facilities.   After two and a half hours of bowling, between two and two and a half games each, a shared tea was enjoyed back at our place. Talk carried on until supper time. We trust all present including the Free Beach visitors from Dunedin had an enjoyable time, we certainly enjoyed their company.   Finally, we would like to thank those who participated in this gathering and hope we can schedule another one at some stage in the future. Odette and Trevor Greer
WHERE TO FROM HERE?   On Friday, 21 August, nine Wellington members set forth for what many expected to be one of the most significant Annual General Meetings in the history of the free beach movement in New Zealand.   We travelled in three cars, arriving at Taupo on Friday night. The last car through the Desert Road encountered falling snow, before the road was closed that night. We all met up at Cobb & Co, and following an enjoyable evening, six of us retired to Rotota for the night.   Up early next morning, we breakfasted and set off in the bright sunshine, looking forward to a fine day. This was so, until we arrived in Auckland, where we were greeted by dull skies and showers.   Before the AGM we were treated to a delightful lunch at John and Fran Riggir's home, where we met up with Tony Wilson and others. The welcome contrasted with the weather, thank you Fran & John.   After lunch, and an exchange of thoughts on the North Shore City By-law dilemma, Jim took us on a tour of the bays on the way to the All Saints Church Hall, Ponsonby, scene of this year's AGM.   The 18th AGM of the Free Beach Group opened with a welcome from the President, John Riggir, followed by the reading of the Minutes of the last AGM, Presentation of Accounts, and the President's Report.   The President's Report covered events of the year, and especially the North Shore City Council By-law, and it's implications. It was obvious that a lot of time and effort had been put in by the executive members of the group, and a few others.   Later, in General Business, Frank Peek moved that a letter be sent to the NZ Nudist Federation expressing our concern that the NZNF supported a By-law which banned nudity on beaches! Frank circulated a proposed letter. The motion was passed unanimously. Frank agreed to work with the Committee to re-word Note 2 in the letter; and further motions moved that a copy be sent to the Naturist Magazine and to North Shore City Council.   The response to the call for nominations for President, Secretary, and Committee was pathetic, especially considering the threat to nudity on beaches as we know it. In the end John Riggir accepted nomination for a further term as President, and the elected/appointed committee will elect a secretary.   The AGM was followed by the annual visit to the Waiwera Sapphire hot pool. John Groombridge

 

 

 

[Page 7]

 

 

 

 

[Page 8]

 

 

Christchurch News Letter August 1992

 

Our group is up and running very well, and is great to see.

 

We are meeting on a monthly basis, through the year,and brief meetings will be taking place then, it keeps all involved of the proceedings that are in hand.

 

The Group meets at the Lace Sauna Lounge, it has very attractive facilities and surroundings. In using this facility we are each given a concession gold card, which gives discounts, at any time.

 

The steering committee are heading the group for the meantime, there are 3 of us.

 

Soon we will make plans for the "Summer Activities" at the beaches and elsewhere. In our area not far away is a local authority heated poo1 that is always available for the organising, at a very reasonable rate per person.

 

 

 

FREE PERMANENT CAMPING IN A LAKESIDE TERMAL AREA

The ROTOTA SUN CLUB is seeking a couple, retired couple or family to live on the grounds.
   Minimal Duties --- Relaxed life style.

Own Accommodation required --- For more information

please contact.

 

JOHN ASHWORTH
PO BOX            861
TOKOROA        PHONE (07) 883 6931

============================

 

VIDEO TAPES FOR SALE,         40th N.Z.N.F. RALLY            video tape $30.00

p,p, $5.00 cheque made to A-0-H-C

PHONE (09) 444 1002

 

Order direct from THE SECRETARY -- AOHC -- P.O.BOX 2702 AUCKLAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Page 9]

 

 

Our Reference

 

NZ POLICE

NORTH SHORE DISTRICT

PO BOX 33245

TAKAPUNA

TELEPHONE 4894008

FAX       4866024

 

 

 

16 July 1992

 

Mr John RIGGIR
Free Beach Group Inc
P O Box 41 171
St Lukes
AUCKLAND 3

 

Dear Sir

 

I write in reply to your letter of 12 July 1992 in which you seek my assurance on several points relating to enforcement of the new by-law which addresses the issue of nudity on North Shore beaches.

 

The Police welcome the by—law as a statement of the expected standard of public behaviour on local beaches. i hope that it will be obeyed by the majority of beach users, thereby reducing the frequency of complaints. Its main value from a Police perspective is that a Court can take the existence of the by—law into account when considering the issue of common usage in relation to any specified beach.

 

Your members should understand that the Police are not crusading against public nudity per Se. In recent years we have received a series of complaints from beach users, ranging from attempted rape through sexual intercourse, homosexual acts, obscene exposure, public masturbation, and at the lower end of the scale, nude sunbathing. We have a duty to police the beaches to detect and prevent offences of all types, including disorder and dishonesty as well as offences affecting public decency.

 

During last summer our patrols discovered a high level of homosexual behaviour on and adjacent to local beaches, and received complaints from the public about the activities of nudists, predominantly men who went out of their way to draw attention to their nudity. it is unfortunate that the conduct of these individuals tends to colour public attitudes against all nudists including those Who wish merely to sunbathe. In patrolling the beaches my staff receive complaints about a range of unacceptable behaviour, arid complaints from people Who find public nudity offensive are increasing.

 

In the past, where a complaint was made against a nude sunbather, the Police have been content to request the individual to cover up, and to advise that nudity in public carries the risk of giving offence Which could lead to prosecution.

 

The existence of a new by-law will not change this basic approach which is aimed at mediating between members of the public holding fundamentally different points of view, Only where a Police request is met with refusal, and there is an appropriate level of offence taken by the complainant is a prosecution likely to ensue. Each case will be treated on its merits, and the Police will take due cognisance of the High Court finding, however your members would be ill advised to rely upon that case, which was decided on the basis of its own particular facts.

 

In the coming summer, Police patrols will be giving increased attention to indecent behaviour on public beaches. Those nudists who badger other beach users by following them around or by deliberately drawing attention to their nudity run the risk of immediate arrest and prosecution. The type of sexual conduct previously referred to will also bring arrest action. In that respect I welcome the co-operation of your members in helping to rid our beaches of this type of behaviour. I will give your suggestion some thought, but in the meantime the Police will happily follow up information about the activities of the pests mentioned in your letter.

 

Although I have publicly expressed the hope that complaints will diminish, the reality is that an increase is more likely. Your members are likely to be approached by the Police if a complaint is made. We will not be concerned with the by-law and my staff are unlikely to make an approach in the absence of a complaint, to people who are merely sunbathing. A complainant will not be used to confront a nudist unless identification is an issue. Such a course of action might well bring about avoidable conflict.

 

Hard line attitudes on both sides of the public nudity debate make a mutually acceptable solution difficult to achieve. I would like to see an environment in which persons of either persuasion can coexist with a minimum of disharmony. Though not a perfect solution, the designation of a beach or beaches for use by nudists would at least provide an opportunity for every beach user to follow his or her individual preference. Argument based on fine legal points and human rights is unlikely to lead to any lasting solution.

 

Thank you for writing to me. Should you have any further concerns please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Yours faithfu1y

R S MITCHELL

District Commander

NORTH SHORE DISTRICT

 

 

 

[Page 10]

 

 

NORTH SHORE CITY
MEMORANDUM

---

FILE REF: 1280-801

TO:      Her Worship the Mayor
FROM:    Marian White, Environmental Health Manager
DATE:    18 July 1992
SUBJECT: Free Beach Enquiry, Nudity Bylaw

---

To answer each of the points raised:
1. Our jurisdiction and therefore that of our by-law enforcement ends at mean high water springs, which is the the high tide mark. Seawards of that mark ARC rules, of their ex Harbour Board bylaws apply. Each summer our beach inspectors are appointed to administer our bylaws by NSCC, and to enforce ARC bylaws, with warrants provided by the ARC. The ARC has a bylaw which requires persons swimming in harbours to "be so clad in bathing attire as not to cause offence".

Therefore the area of beach between the water and high tide mark which is not subject to any dress requirements, is an area in which people could sunbathe nude. This area will increase and decrease with the wax and wane of the tide.

2. The bylaw will continue to be enforced as it has been in the past - i.e. our bylaws officers will respond to complaints, and some action may be taken by the 15 honorary beach wardens who are appointed to administer our bylaws, as they go about their activities.

 

3. Our officers will hold warrants from both NSCC and the ARC, and as explained in (1) above, they will be applying the relevant bylaws. Mean high water springs is a mark which can shift with the displacement of sand and ingress of storm-water, therefore I am sure that there will arise some differences of opinion about where that mark is, on any given day.

 

4. There will be no posting or signage of the bylaw, as is consistent of most of the other bylaws we have in the city. Excessive signage on beaches creates an eyesore, and since our bylaw only applies when a nudist is in view of other persons, there will certainly be times when nudity will be permitted.

 

This bylaw has received a great deal of media attention, and one would hope that the Free beach group members will not attempt to frustrate the spirit and intent of it. The free beach group is a member of the Nudist Federation, which supports our bylaw providing a free beach can be provided somewhere.

 

If you need more information about this issue, I am happy to provide it.

 

 

 

 

[Page 11]

 

 

Copy of draft letter circulated to members at AGM, Auckland, 22 August. 1992.

 

A motion that the letter be sent to the NZ Nudist Federation was passed unanimously. A further motion that a copy be sent to the Naturist magazine and to Marian White, North Shore City Council was also passed unanimously.

 

---

 

Peter W Holt
Secretary
New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc
PO Box 1359
WELLINGTON

 

Dear Mr Holt

NZNF SUBMISSION 15 JUNE 1992 TO NORTH SHORE CITY COUNCIL

 

The Free Beach Group Incorporated (FBG) held its Annual General Meeting on 22 August 1992.

 

It was proposed and agreed that the FBG should write to the New Zealand Nudist Federation (NZNF) concerning the submission of the NZNF to North Shore City Council in respect of the revised wording of:

 

North Shore City Council Consolidated Bylaw 1990. Fifth Schedule, Chapter 10, NZS 9201, Beaches: Bathing and Control - Clause 1902.7

 

Firstly

 

The FBG formally advises the NZNF to note the disappointment of the FBG concerning the position of the NZNF in the matter of the proposed bylaw; and to note that the disappointment of some FBG members approaches bewilderment and anger.

 

In making its submission, the NZNF has taken a position fundamentally opposed to the true status of nudity on public beaches in New Zealand.

 

New Zealand currently enjoys a situation whereby nudity is not illegal on any beach in our country. Such a situation is the envy of nudist organisations in many other countries.

 

In New Zealand it is, therefore, unnecessary to have beaches declared "legal free beaches". On the contrary, the declaring of any beach as a "legal free beach" implicitly declares nudity to be illegal on all other beaches that have not been designated as "legally free".

 

 

For this reason, it is not a desirable position on the part of New Zealand nudists to promote and strive for "legal free beaches". Such a position does not recognise the legal status quo which applies to any beach in New Zealand already, and, furthermore, could be detrimental to nudists on any other beach.

 

The FBG finds it inconceivable that the NZNF was prepared to support the proposed bylaw. The conditional phrase of the NZNF submission makes no difference at all. If the NZNF had been successful in obtaining one or more beaches where the bylaw would not apply, it would also have supported a fundamental change in the current status quo, whereby nudity would now be illegal except on the beaches specifically declared legally free.

 

It is not the purpose of the FBG to censure the intentions of NZNF members. The FBG wants the NZNF to be aware of all the consequences inherent in its position, and to return to its role of fostering and protecting public nudism in New Zealand. It cannot worthily or capably represent New Zealand nudism otherwise.

 

Secondly

 

As an incorporated Society affiliated to the NZNF, the FBG is concerned at not having been consulted on a matter of such public importance. It would expect to be consulted in the future on matters directly relevant to its interests.

 

Thirdly

 

The FBG formally advises the NZNF to note that the FBG disassociates itself entirely from the NZNF submission.

 

This notice of advice was agreed to unanimously by those attending the Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Free Beach Group.

 

Yours sincerely

 

[Name]

Secretary