FREE BEACH GROUP Committee

President Traven Searle

(04) 293 7560

Vice President John Groombridge

(North Island)          (04) 596 5461

Vice President Joyce Fleming

(South Island)         (03) 322 7990

Secretary John Lowe

(06) 870 0926

TreasurerJohn Groombridge

(04) 596 5461

Members

Ian Bushett (07 856 8857

Jackie Caldwell

Nobilangelo Ceramalus(09) 483 5428   

 

Correspondence should be mailed to the official FBG address

LOCAL CONTACTS

Auckland Bob Williamson

(09) 410 6030

Tauranga Glenda Harper

(07) 542 0290

Ted Lidgard

(07) 542 2344

Waikato Roger Morris

(07) 856 8857

Hawkes Bay John Lowe

(06) 870 0926

Sthn Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles

(06) 374 6238

Wellington Meryl Baker

(04) 528 7010

Alan Geeves

(04) 478 4820

Christchurch Joyce Fleming

(03) 322 7990

NATURIST LIFE New Zealand
Issue #1, September 1994

 

Reviewed by Joyce Fleming

 

The serious intent of this magazine is indicated by the picture on its front cover; starkly contrasting elements of contemporary society. The major article which explores in detail the subject of rape and sexual abuse as manifestations of mental ill-health or DIS-ease is in contrast with the delightful account of a naturist family at Rotota. The message: Naturism implies openness, honesty, being naked, and caring for nature. The controversial article on rape is thoroughly researched but does "go on a bit!" It is well backed up by case histories.

 

A section on "Christian Naturists" seeks to prove that nakedness is not condemned by the Bible. These main articles are interspersed with news items about sun clubs, free beaches, children's pages, and quotable quotes. Inside the front cover is an exceptionally pleasing photo with an explanatory caption, (thank you for that!)

 

This publication seems to depict naturism in its original sense, that is, as an attitude of mind - mens sana in corpore sano - and a return to nature as an antidote to the ills of modern urban society.

The editor, Nobilangelo Ceramalus, is a member of the National Committee of the Free Beach Group. NATURIST LIFE is a monthly publication retailing at $5.25 from your bookshop, or at $54 per annual subscription.

Auckland Calendar

 

In response to a need for an Auckland beach program, a calendar has been drawn up, and is printed below. Take your Fred Bear flag and towel, so that others will recognise that you are a Free Beach Group member.

Palm Springs Hot Pools

 

FBG members are welcome to attend the Hibiscus Coast Hot Pool Night held at 'PALM SPRINGS', Parakai, near Helensville. Take your FBG membership card with you as the nights are organised by the Hibiscus Coast Sun Club. Times are 6pm to midnight on the last Saturday of the month, except December and January. Adults $8.00, Children $2.00.

 

The complex has three pools, three spa-pools with takeaways available on site. For those of you who enjoy caravanning there is a good camp ground virtually opposite the pool complex - a number of FBG members regularly stay overnight.

Ngatuhoa '95

 

Ngatuhoa '95 will span the Wellington and Auckland Anniversary weekends, starting Saturday 21 January until Monday morning 30 January.

 

Those who have already been to Ngatuhoa will testify to the magic and special character of this unique nature resort. We extend an invitation to Sun Club members, Supporters Group, and all those with an appeal for clothes optional recreation.

 

The green Registration Form details all the information on how to get to the Ngatuhoa, what to expect, and what to bring. Please fill in the form and mail it to Box 30-099, LOWER HUTT, before 10 January, so that we will know how many are coming, and when you will be arriving. If you don't send a Registration Form, you can pay on arrival, but you will have to be sure of the arrangements. If the times don't suit you, it may be possible to arrange for some kind person to open the gate for you, but you will have to arrange this before hand. Phone Ted Lidgard (07 542 2344). As you will note, it is a long rough road from the Lodge to the gate and back, so we don't want to do the trip too often.

 

There will be a cell phone at the Lodge, the number will be advised in the next newsletter, with any other late news.

 

Monday night, Bill and Fern will spit roast chickens, so bring a frozen chicken with you on Saturday (21 Jan), which should thaw in time for roasting on Monday night. (Bill and Fern are not supplying the chickens). Also bring your contribution of vegetables, etc to add to the feast.

 

On Friday, 27 January, Bill and Fern will spit roast a lamb or pork. A small charge will be made to cover the cost of the roast lamb/pork. As for Monday, add some vegetables/salad/deserts.

 

Saturday will be the unrivalled fancy undressed party, unique to Ngatuhoa. We will not have a disco this year, but invite you to bring along your own musical instruments and make happy sounds. The theme this year will be:

 

Masks and/or Wiggs

Open Day

 

Auckland Outdoor Health Club invites members to their Open Day to be held on Sunday 27 November, 1994 at Monroe Rd, Henderson. They are planning for a hot sunny day. There will be stalls selling items of interest, and it is envisioned that these might include clothing, food, jewellery, bric-a-brac, etc. There will be plenty to do for adults and children alike.

 

For further information, and/or to book stall space, contact Delia (09) 624 2433 or Brent (09) 279 3771.

AH! A-wandering we will go

 

Just a brief note from sunny Brisbane. For those who have no idea where Brisbane is, allow me to explain. Well for one, it is in the foreign outback of the great west island sometimes called OZ. There is a long stretch of beach, but since it would be difficult to keep anyone off them and at work, they created a city inland a few Km and called it Brisbane. The last laugh is that the city now reaches the coast.

 

How did I get here, and why? Well it was partly by accident and much by choice. I was given the opportunity to undertake a contract to work for Telecom Australia (Brisbane). It was a hard decision, but someone had to do it.

 

The other opportunity is to work with the Queensland Free Beach Association to possibly provide our knowledge of dealing with problems to sort out theirs.

 

BRISBANE: It's a very nice, clean, easy to get around type of city. There are many one-way streets that make the traffic flow very smooth, but I think it can be frustrating for tourists. The people here are so polite, the drivers stop for pedestrians, and pedestrians wait for the lights. It is scary for someone from Wellington.

 

The amenities are very American, but without many of the things that are troubles to Americans. I actually think it's more like Canada, but warmer. Speaking of! It is warm. It is currently spring, but the temperature is in the mid 20's and the humidity is rising. The sun rises at 5am, a bit of cloud comes in about 8am, it then clears for the day and clouds over for about an hour in the evening. It gets quite cool at night with the temperature dropping to about 15°C. It is quite a pleasant set-up.

 

After a 2 week stay in a motel/hotel, I have moved to a new location. My address is:
Apt 10c, 119 Leichliardt St, Spring Hill, Brisbane 4000, Queensland.

 

While I am not physically in NZ, with the circular process, fax and phone, I am not all that far away. I will continue my role as President, responsible for creating policy statements, responding to major topics and generally to provide guidance.

 

The day-to-day activities fall mainly with John Groombridge and is shared with Jackie and John Lowe. If you have a problem, and you want to save the cost of a phone call, then call one of the 3 J's (John, Jackie or John).

 

If anyone is in Brisbane, who wants a friendly face or voice to talk to, then contact me at:

 

70 831 1731 or 041 964 4370.

 

That's it for now, will keep in touch. Happy to hear from anyone.

Traven Searle

The Far North

 

The TV weather map consistently shows the winter temperatures for Kaitaia well above the national average. How fortunate therefore, is Clarry Roberts, perhaps our most northerly member. He enjoys the year round sub-tropical clime of Herekino, a beautiful gem on Northland's west coast, about 30Km southwest of Kaitaia.

 

Clarry recently supplied an account of the many attractions available in his neck-of-the-woods. We describe some of the places he mentions as worthy of exploration by adventurous Free Beach Group members who may decide to travel north this Summer.

 

Owhata is at the end of a rough narrow, windy metal road, about 3Km from Herekino, proceeding westward towards the harbour entrance. A 1KM walk around the rocks takes you to lovely quiet beaches where in calm conditions you can dive for shell fish.

 

Mitimiti is a very remote beach on the west coast adjacent to the Warawara State Forest at the end of a rough, windy metal road about 20Km north of Hokianga.

   This is recommended only for the very adventurous, who are keen on fishing.

 

Ahipara at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach is about 15Km southwest of Kaitaia. It has plenty of sand hills and good beaches if you walk around the rocks, and avoid the casual 4-wheel drive vehicles. Good fishing, but Clarry says to make sure your car is secure because vandalism is a problem.

 

Henderson Bay is about 50Km north of Kaitaia. To get there proceed from Awanui on SH1 along the road to Cape Reinga, through Waipapakauri, Pukenui and Houhora (the last pub!). Watch for the turn-off on the right and proceed about 5Km along a metal road to Henderson Point on the eastern side of the peninsula. "Great white sandy beach and free camping," says Clarry. Nice and quiet, good fishing, but bring drinking water.

 

Rarawa Beach is a further 7 or 8Km north of Henderson Bay. Similar turn-off as for Henderson Bay along the road to the Cape; free camping.

 

Clarry says Henderson Bay and Rarawa are the two best beaches in the tar north for nudists, as they are very quiet. He laments that "there are not many sun lovers in the north ..."

 

Other more populated beaches Clarry recommends are Coopers Beach near Mangonui (about 30Km east of Kaitaia on SH10), and nearby Taipa; both worth visiting despite being more civilised than the more remote beaches. About 20Km further on is Taupo Bay, just north of the Whangaroa Harbour.

 

The North has a wealth of beaches, bays, coves, rivers and bush to explore! These a just a few. Clarry invites Free Beach group members who are visiting the North and who want more information to write to him at: RD1, Kaitaia, Herekino, North Auckland. And as he says "We ain't on the phone".

Geoff Horn

Papamoa Rumour Quashed

 

A recent rumour that the police would prosecute anyone found nude at Papamoa Beach has been quashed.

 

In a recent interview with Nobilangelo Ceramalus, Superintendent Joe Dumble of Tauranga Police said that the police would not be targeting nudists at Tauranga.

 

A recent Tauranga District Council committee report referred to "legitimate nudists" on Papamoa Beach, a statement which clearly recognises the legal right to be nude on a beach!
Legitimate nudists therefore should have no fear of the police, but anyone acting offensively, as define by the law, will face prosecution. It is in our interests that any offensive behaviour be eradicated, and the police would appreciate assistance in achieving this goal.

 

When you go to the beach, the safest place to be is out in the open, away from the sand hills, where you can be seen to be acting in an appropriate manner. Take your Fred Bear flag and/or towel with you, and promote a good image for the Free Beach Group. And if you can recruit new members by your example, we will all benefit.

John Groombridge

Mardi Gras Rally 1995

 

The 43rd National NZNF Rally will take place on the grounds of the Canterbury Sun Club at "Pineglades" from Wednesday 28 December 1994 to Tuesday 3 January 1995 inclusive. "Pineglades" is situated at Rolleston, Approximately 20km south of Christchurch. An innovation of the "Carnival of Social Nudity" will be The Bourbon Street Cafe and Garden Bar; the alfresco restaurant has an extensive lunch-time and dinner menu at very reasonable prices.

 

Free Beach members at the Rally should make themselves known to Joyce Fleming, our South Island Vice President.

 

Registration fee of $85 per adult for the whole Rally includes all rally costs, entertainment, New Years Eve supper, three course meal during the Theatre Restaurant evening and all camping fees from 28 December to 3 January.

 

For Registration form and full details, write to the FBG Secretary, PO Box 41-171, St Lukes, Auckland.

Waikuku Lodge

 

The Wellington Region will have it's Summer Camp at Waikuku Lodge, southern Wairarapa, at Waitangi weekend. All are invited. Waikuku Lodge is a DoC camp near the Haurangi Forest Park, so there will be lots of new and exciting experiences to explore.

 

Full details are set out on the gold form included with this newsletter.

Sand Dunes

 

In a recent edition of the "Kapiti Mail" newspaper a correspondent takes to task the Kapiti Coast District's Regulatory, Planning and Environmental Committee for describing sand dunes as a "bloody nuisance". The correspondent criticises the comments emanating from the committee as "environmentally illiterate" that "highlight a flat-earth mentality".

 

The correspondent goes on to say that it is imperative that we protect the sand dune system from self-destructive greed that has characterised the ecological rape of the Kapiti Coast. She points out that the Resource Management Act requires the Council to recognise and provide for the protection of dune land-form as a matter of national importance.

 

Sand dunes have special functions:

 

1 They are a natural defence to inundation from a rise in sea level;

2 Have a role in protecting the ground water table;

3  Significant wind-break from prevailing winds;

4  Storage of sediment against coastal erosion.

 

The correspondent concludes by saying that "relentless degradation and major modification of the largest sand dune system in New Zealand presages impending disaster to the natural character of the Kapiti Coast".

 

I feel that FBG members who use the Kapiti Coast beaches will endorse and applaud correspondent's comments. In enjoying the shelter that the sand dunes provide from the sometimes boisterous winds, we must be careful to minimise any modification to the dunes through our use of them.

 

Geoff Horn

FREE BEACH News

 

This Newsletter has been compiled from information supplied by members. If you have any topics of interest to share with others, or if you have any ideas or concerns, now is your opportunity to express them.

 

Newsletter contributions may be sent to the official address, or direct to the Editor,

 

John Groombridge, PO Box 30-099, LOWER HUTT