# 128 - March 1989 

Model General Bylaws (1972) Chapter 19 - Beaches - Bathing and Control

The following letter, regarding the right of New Zealanders to appear naked on our beaches was received by SANZ, and we now publish it and invite comments from our readers.

The Regional Government scene in New Zealand is currently undergoing considerable change. Early indications from the Local Government Commission suggest that both the structure and administrative power of local authorities are going to be radically different in twelve months' time.

It may well follow that the Model General Bylaws as laid down under the auspices of the Standards Association of New Zealand will also require amendment. If so, may we be permitted to express our objections to the discriminatory nature of clause 1902.7 which reads: 'No person shall be or remain upon any part of a beach in view of other persons unless properly and sufficiently clad'.

The Free Beach Group Inc. was formed fifteen years ago to promote the establishment of legal 'free' (i.e. dress, optional) beaches in New Zealand. It soon became apparent that in that there is no statute in New Zealand law that outlaws nudity in a public place, all beaches are, and always have been, 'free'.

While merely by being nude the nude bather commits no crime, his/her behaviour may be construed as being offensive or indecent, but then so may that of the clothed bather.

Both are equally liable for prosecution under the Summary Offences Act 1982.

Case law (mostly under the previous 1927 Act), has clearly established that in deciding what is offensive and/or indecent, the court must pay due consideration to time, place and circumstances. It has been further established that where there is an apparent conflict, the opinion of the majority of persons present is of more importance than that of the complainant.

There are currently in New Zealand several hundred beaches where nude bathing (with varying frequency) occurs. Many of these are also patronised by clothed persons. The lack of complaints is evidence that nude bathing is acceptable to beach users. This is not surprising, and simply substantiates the results of several professionally conducted opinion polls of the 1970s.

Clause 1902.7 however, remains a problem. Many councils have adopted it without seemingly considering what 'properly and sufficiently clad' means. Others have added a definition, such as meaning that the pubic areas must be covered. Either way the purpose behind the clause is obscure.

If at the time of framing the bylaw, the authors considered nude bathing offensive or indecent, then clause 1902.5 already covered the situation. Better still, prosecution was possible under the 1927 Act.

It has been suggested that the clause was inserted to protect councils and councillors from any claim that could be made against them by a bather injured on a beach under their control, in such a manner that had the bather been 'properly and sufficiently clad' the injury would not have occurred.

Whatever the reason for its origin, the continued existence and common interpretation of clause 1902.7 is discrimination against the nudist, and a direct challenge to their legal rights. While in the past this discrimination may have been the desire of the "average" New Zealander, it is clearly no longer so.

We would accordingly recommend that with an amendment or rewrite of the Model General Bylaws, the clause be removed in its entirety.

Tony Wilson

On behalf of the committee

Free Beach Group Inc.

Reprinted from: Standards: Volume 34 Number 12, December 1988.

What would be your reply to "Nude" in this popular psychological word- association test?

There once was a young boy who worried his parents because of his preoccupation with sex. Finally they took him to a psychiatrist, who drew a succession of meaningless lines and squiggles on a blackboard, and asked the boy to tell him what they meant.

He got a succession of highly erotic replies. Turning to the parents, he said, "No doubt about it. The boy is clearly obsessed with sex."

Upon which the boy rounded on the psychiatrist and exclaimed indignantly, "Me obsessed with sex? You're the one who's drawing all the pictures!"

I once heard a story about a famous All Black second-five-eight. The coach criticised him for consistently failing to pass out to the wing. The second- five said it was because the winger dropped half his passes. The coach shook his head. "The winger doesn't drop 'em' he said. "You don't pass 'em properly:'

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Now what, you are thinking, has all this got to do with naturism? You will see the answer when you realise that my apparently disconnected ramblings are all to do with viewpoints.

A fact of life that we ought to face up to, is that inability to understand the other person's point of view, and why he holds it, is a very common shortcoming among members of the human race.

Insofar as the mere fact of being naturists doesn't grant us automatic exemption from the failings of homo sapiens, we must acknowledge that a number of us are blameworthy in this respect.

Which makes some of us ourselves responsible for misconceptions held by non-naturists about nudism.

Viewpoints are based partly on knowledge and partly on belief.

Knowledge first comes to us through our childhood education. This is when we acquire our basic conditioning. We accept unquestioningly what we are told. We have to. We have no experience behind us to enable us to make judgments or comparisons.

Take, for example, the fact that the world is round. Well, it is, isn't it? No, I've never actually myself flown an aircraft non-stop in a straight line and proven that it's round because I came back to my starting point ... but that's not the point (I hope I'm not confusing you). The point is, I believe the world is round because I've accepted the word of others who have told me that it is, and who I believe know what they-re talking about.

(As a matter of interest, there are still around, even today, fully-paid-up card- carrying members of the Flat Earth Society who insist that if you walk in a straight line in any direction, eventually you'll fall off the edge. But if they enjoy their particular brand of lunacy, the best of luck to them.)

To get back to our childhood ... There is a subtle but substantial difference between knowledge and belief. Unfortunately, what we are taught as children is a mixture of what our teacher knows and what our teacher believes. And as children we have no way of distinguishing between the two.

At the present time, there are still a large number of folk around, whose childhood was spend during the 1930-1950 ear. A time when attitudes towards communal nudism were still at their most repressive. A time when both parents and school teachers passed on their own believes in the "evils" of nudism.

Among naturists today one occasionally comes across weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth because "people won't understand us". What the lachrymose ones don't seem to realise, is that it's not a case of "won't". People who have been conditioned from childhood can't understand. Like the small boy at the psychiatrist's, they see sex in anything and everything even remotely connected with nudism, and indignantly repudiate any suggestion that it's their minds that are responsible.

The fault lies with the complaining nudists.

Instead of passing the whole thing off with a smile and a shrug, and nothing more, we eagerly seize the opportunity to try and convert the unbelievers by argument. Thus lending credence to the well-known saying, "Methinks thou doth protesteth too much" or, much more appropriately, qui s'excuse s'accuse.

It's not the listeners' fault that they can't catch the point of the argument. It's not being passed properly.

We must bear in mind that we are entering a new era of understanding. By the end of the present millennium, complete tolerance of nudity could well be a fait accompli. The "sexual revolution" of the fifties resulted in the expected violent swing of the pendulum to the opposite extreme. The young had their fling, got it all out of their systems and then settled down. And one of the finest things to emerge from the orgy of experimentation has been a more balanced and tolerant view of sex, marriage - and naturism.

The older, narrow-minded generation is steadily diminishing. It is being steadily replaced by a generation that has never been taught that sex is dirty or that nudity is something to be ashamed of. True beauty is becoming more and more something that is in the eye of the beholder - not in the conditioned, poisoned mind.

This oncoming generation is the one we should concentrate our efforts on, if we feel ourselves to be fired with crusading zeal. But I don't think that much missionary work will be needed in the not-too-distant future.

One of the most effective organisations working for nudism is the Free Beach Group. I particularly applaud the gradual emergence of "mixed" beaches.

"Textiles" can sit at first at a respectful distance and get used to the idea of looking at nude bodies, without feeling embarrassed or pressured to undress themselves. They can then shed their own clothes by stages and gradually get used to having other people looking at them in the nude. And discovering to their surprise that practically nobody is looking at them at all.

On free beaches, nudism virtually sells itself.

"Holiday?"

"Seaside".

"Beach?"

"Sunbathing".

"Nude?"

"Freedom?"

Ivan de la Chaumette

FREE BEACHES
and WARM POOLS

by Joyce Turner from Canterbury Sun Club

Two C.S.C. members who recently won first prize in a photo competition held by the Free Beach Group have donated the $40 prize money towards their pool solar heating fund.

What - you - may ask - is the point of belonging to the Free Beach Group when there's no branch in the South Island? (Joyce Turner of C.S.C. replies)... "O.K. I'll tell you. Because I love New Zealand's miles of empty beaches; cavorting in the breakers and running out naked in the tangy air. The The exhilarating sensation of fresh air on the body after a cold dip has to be experienced. Who wants a cloggy wet costume clinging round the torso?

I decided years ago to support the Free Beach Group. The annual sub is nominal because they have no 'overheads'. Even if our group in the mainland consists of only two of us, we enjoy our free beach outings.

But man! Do we envy the Aucklanders with the variety of outings on offer to them by the Free Beach Group, not only to the beaches all over the place, but bush walks, boat trips, camping and farmhouse holidays, barbeques, etc, plus winter social activities at heated pools and saunas. Friends, we are with you in the spirit! and we even managed to join you in the flesh one fine day at Uretiti Beach on a day trip from the North Shore (now Hibiscus Coast) Sun Club where we were staying on holiday.

We always love reading your excellent monthly newsletters. It is good to see evidence of co-operation between the Free Beach group and other sun clubs, e.g. "Monthly Swim Nights at Rickards. Hosts: Hibiscus Coast Sun Club. Dinners available $5."

Photos: Joyce Turner   

Which brings me to the main point: a belief that all naturist/nudist organisations are inter-supportive, not competitive. We are a minority movement and therefore form a brotherhood with a network and variety of clubs and groups around the world catering for various lifestyles.

Many people, I know are members of more than one club. I myself am an overseas member of a first-rate club in the south of England as well as both Christchurch clubs and the Free Beach Group, not to mention all sorts of other hobbies and affiliations.

ENJOY THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS!

Within a few days of each issue of the Naturist "hitting the news stands", as they say, I can always count on receiving a phone call from the Business Manager.

Each time the message will be the same, with only minor differences in wording.

"Made a start on Talking Point yet? You haven't forgotten the deadline for the next issue have you?"

As we don't yet have television screens on our phones (although we'll probably have them by the turn of the century) I can't see his face, but I know very well what his expression will be. He will be wearing a grin that is best described as... well, wolfish.

Psychiatrists tell us that when we sleep, we dream. Always. Regardless of whether, on waking, we remember dreaming or not. I never remember my dreams - what they were about, I mean. And only very rarely can I recall actually dreaming at all.

Even more rarely - thank goodness - do I recollect having had a nightmare. Even then, mercifully, the details are very hazy. Except for one thing. Whenever I have a nightmare, the Business Manager is always in it.

The scene is always the same, he is dressed in a Roman toga, a dirty white in colour. Sometimes he is striding up and down between two lines of labouring men, laying about himself left and right with a multiple-thonged whip. And sometimes he is sitting behind a huge drum, belting hell out of it and pounding out a monotonous beat with a drumstick clutched in each ham fisted hand.

So here I am, sitting at my Remington Patented Typewriting Machine (circa 1925), racking my brains for the next topic for Talking Point, trying to stop myself glancing apprehensively every few minutes at the calendar on the wall, and acutely conscious of the dim picture of that half-naked, sweat streaked man with the whip in the back of my mind.

The difficulty, you see, lies in thinking up a succession of suitable naturists topics to write about - without repeating myself. And I have only myself to blame for this, by calling my regular article "Talking Point" in the first place.

The idea behind it all, was to introduce a succession of controversial issues relating to nudism, express my own personal opinion (with my usual little bit of grass-roots philosophy thrown in for good measure) then chuck the whole thing to the wolves for them to fight and snarl over. (At least, this is what I hoped would happen - as you may have gathered, I love "stirring"!)

That's all very well, provided there's an ample, continuous and varied supply of chunks of "meat" to scatter around. Unfortunately, however, the source of supply isn't a bottomless bucket.

You will have some idea of the paucity of new and different subjects for naturist magazine articles, if you reach the number of times you have seen the same topics rehashed in publications the world over, If I had a dollar for every article I've read entitled "How I discovered Nudism" (or any one of the dozens of other titles saying the same thing, basically) I'd be able to go out and order my new Porsche right now.

I don't get a great deal of feed-back from readers of my articles. Something that is particularly gratifying, nonetheless, is that most of the few comments I do receive come from overseas.

In the majority of cases, furthermore, it appears that readers appreciate the odd chuckle they get out of my scribbling. Which only goes to show, that other countries, despite each having its own national and very individual sense of humour, are all able to appreciate the peculiarly off beat humour of the average Kiwi.

Those who have urged me to "keep up the good work" by maintaining the humorous content of Talking Point, have suggested that I could find an almost never-ending source of humour in the things that happen in sun clubs.

Well, now... that rather depends on every person's individual interpretation of what constitutes something funny.

For a start, I am well aware, as we all are, that when I walk around the club au naturel I am exposed to the hazard of certain things happening to me of a physical nature. I am not referring to the possibility of suddenly being set upon by that gorgeous redhead (that I should be so lucky).

I am thinking more in terms of omitting to scrutinise the grass for small, flattened-out thistles and the like, before plumping myself down on the turf.

We are well aware of the folly of attending the club barbecue without taking the elementary precaution of wearing an apron. But we have all witnessed the occasional accident under these circumstances, and although hot fat on one's bare skin isn't funny, when it happens to someone else it invariably is. Much merriment and sundry witticisms from all and sundry ensues.

It is a matter of record that the very first audience laughter ever heard in a cinema, was at the first "comic" incident in the first ever comedy film - a fat man (I think it might have even been Fatty Arbuckle himself, but most of my readers will be far too young to remember him) slipping on a banana skin and falling heavily, and painfully, on his fat backside.

In the ensuing years, hundreds of comic "one-reelers" came out of Hollywood, but until the sound-track was invented, humour in silent films had to be purely visual. And film producers very rapidly learned that one thing guaranteed to raise a laugh, was someone having an accident and hurting himself.

Fortunately with the advent of the "talkies" the humour came more and more from the dialogue; but slapstick knockabout comedy still had its place, and does to this day.

But I just can't see anything funny in it. I'm not blaming the cinema for "perverting" humanity's sense of humour. It was perverted already. So many people see something amusing in another person's pain, discomfort or even just embarrassment, that it must be an in-built characteristic of the human race. Something totally atavistic. But I do blame the cinema for emphasising it, and perpetrating it.

Long before we became saturated by the cinema (now aided and abetted by television) there was Punch and Judy shows. Punch knocked Judy around and the policeman belted everybody indiscriminately. The kids loved it, and roared with laughter. But it was something that they were supposed to grow out of.

The sole mass-media entertainment for adults was the theatre.

And I cannot recall any humorous stage play with a single instance of slapstick comedy. Audiences then were far to adult and sophisticated to laugh at childish slapstick. Then came the cinema. Film producers were quick to spot that slightly sadistic streak in human nature, and exploited it to the full.

You are more than welcome to brand me as an odd-ball, if you wish. But I certainly do not stand alone. There will always be a certain small percentage of the human race who have been born - like myself - without that particular quirk in their natures.

It comes out in different ways. Those who carry it to the extreme become fervent, dedicated pacifists. At the opposite end of the scale, there are the others, like me, who just can't see anything funny in a fat man falling down and hurting himself.

We all know perfectly well, that whether it be someone just falling down, or having a building drop on his head, its only simulated.

But unless the actor makes believe that he is hurt, or even just embarrassed, it isn't funny.

So what's the moral? (There's always a moral in my articles, isn't there?) I think it's that a tendency to find another person's misfortune amusing, blunts our finer points of perception. We can become callous, even hardened. And that can effect our entire relationships with others; our family and our friends. We could eventually become too uncaring.

So that's it, then; a good example of How To Succeed Without Even Trying. I started out grumbling at the difficulty of finding original topics for Talking Point, and end up with one.

Of course, its not really a naturist topic at all (did I hear someone mutter, "more suitable for a parish church magazine"?) but something worth thinking about, just the same. Or talking about.

Particularly as we nudists like to think, that the practice of naturism makes us more kindly, caring, concerned people than the average.

INTERNATIONAL

NATURIST

FEDERATION

At the 21st INF Congress held in Monsena in September 1988 the president Mr Alan McCombe stood down and the General Assembly elected a new President Mr Bart Wijnbarg. The N.Z. Naturist would like to thank Alan McCombe for the cooperation he has offered us during his term as President and look forward to working with Bart Wijnbarg in the ongoing promotion of nudism.

Alan McCombe and Bart Wijnbarg

PORTUGAL

Nude bathing could soon become legal in Portugal, a favourite destination for millions of foreign tourists every summer.

Parliament gave narrow approval recently to a bill legalizing nudism on certain beaches and the legalisation will now go to the committee before a final vote.

At present nudists can be ordered to cover up or fined though the authorities have generally turned a blind eye in recent years.

RUSSIA

Pravda Has 'Naked Facts' On Sunning

MOSCOW - A small but determined band of nudists won a Supreme Court battle in Estonia after local officials had banned them from sunbathing in the nude, the Communist Party newspaper Pravda said on Friday.

Pravda eschewed its usual straitlaced style to report on the incident under the headline "The Naked Facts."

It said the fuss began when "couples dressed like Adam and Eve" appeared on an Estonian beach a few years ago and officials denied them permission to have a private stretch of sand. The nudists then hired bulldozers to build a sand wall.

The nudists were told to level the sand wall.

They refused and took the officials to court. When they lost the case, they appealed to the Estonian Supreme Court which ruled in their favour. That was one year ago.

Now, Pravda said, the nudists had doubled the height of their sand wall and could legally bask in the sun in their "birthday suits."

Reprint: Reuters
BARE IN MIND

AUSTRALIAN SKIERS

STREAK CANADA'S

SLOPES

WHISTLER, B.C. (CP) - Some skiers streak by in a flash. Then there were the skiers who just flashed by - streaking. It was a typical day at Blackcomb Mountain at this ski resort area an hour's drive north of Vancouver until some Australian skiers apparently decided to celebrate the 200th birthday of their country.

The half-dozen skiers decided to let it all hang out. Off came their clothes and everything went downhill from there.

"My first impression was that these guys were all wearing racing suits," said Robin Wrightson, 47, who spotted the frigid freestylers from the chairlift last week.

"As they got nearer, it became clear they were stark naked," Blackcomb spokesman Dennis Hansen said that while there was nothing that marked the daring downhillers as Australian, he heard later that they were celebrating Australia's birthday.

"I guess they decided they would streak the mountain, and they did," he chuckled.

Toronto Star

Reprinted from 'Going Natural' (Fed Canadian Naturists), Spring 1988

WHAT A WOW
OF A
POW-WOW!

For seven days over the Xmas-New Year holiday, Chief Running Bare and his enthusiastic team of Squaws and Braves turned on an unforgettable Pow-Wow at the Lake Downs Reservation, near Palmerston North.

When the P.N.S.C. took on the task or organising this annual nudist rally, they knew they had their work cut out because facilities at the club grounds needed upgrading, but in less than a year they not only enlarged the ablution block, and laid a new concrete miniten court; they also made considerable improvements to the grounds, as well as attending to all those hundreds of things which always need planning and preparing before the guests arrive. The Rally Team comprised almost all of the club members. They tackled the job-list with a will, with working bees right throughout the winter. They invented and practised new games, and they dreamed up an entertainment programme second to none. Of course the work did not end there, because the whole team continued their efforts until the last guest had departed.

I call this "The Great Entertainment Rally" because no one who attended it will forget the Hypnotist Show - incredible! the Magician's Show - side splitting!

Or the Bottle Auction - uproarious! not to mention the annual Percy Cousins Trust Concert - excellent! One day the Manawatu Microlite Club dropped in to give joy-rides, and on another five members of the Manawatu Skydiving Club descended in our midst appropriately attired in their birthday suits.

The Red Indian theme was an inspired choice, particularly suited to a nudist rally. PNSC has a resident Canadian (alias Joe Two-Feather) who oversaw the construction of a very authentic looking totem pole. Everybody entered into the spirit of the occasion. Indian costumes were everywhere in evidence. Some had even made two outfits: one for the warm weather and one for the cold. Nudists are great people for dressing up (as well as undressing!) and imaginations had been given full reign in the production of the varied array of Indian garb. Wellington and Canterbury Sun Clubs had co-operated (between themselves, not with each other) to produce matching outfits, and both "tribes" contributed much to the general air of hilarity, especially at the Champagne breakfast and New Year's Eve celebrations. Wellington even brought their own beautifully painted portable totem pole!

The "Top Tribe Games", held after lunch each day, were ingeniously contrived and masterfully managed by Chief Joe Two-Feathers, and provided endless fun and amusement to the participating "Tribes" and spectators alike. Bareskins, Blackfoot, Cantacree, Fakawee, Navajos, Crowe, Flaming Tepee, Wild, Zuni and Black and Yellow Foot - these were the intrepid tribes who for five days braved mud, fire and water (mostly water) in a series of fiendishly contrived contests with exotic names such as "Medicine Ball Run" "Running Waters" and "Frog in Pond". Most of the contestants survived, the spectators got some great laughs, and the Black and Yellow Foot Tribe finally won the "Ran-Fairly Shield". The Canterbury Cantacrees took home the runners-up trophy which turned out to be Joe Two-Feathers' two-feathered hat! The rally was also memorable for the heaps of glorious food provided by the hardworking team of cooks, under the expert guidance of a real chef in the guise of "Chief Cookum Up". The Champagne Breakfast was only the start. New Year's Eve saw the traditional Feast, and the first evening meal of the new year was a genuine modern Maori hi-tech Hangi, with all the servings individually wrapped in foil!

A special programme for the children - or should I say "papooses", has become a tradition at rallies, and this one was no exception.

Photos: D. Ball

There were pony rides, arts and crafts, sports, indoor games, campfire stories, disco, videos and a magic show. Parents love their children, but it is still nice to have them off their hands once in a while, especially when they know they are being well looked after and having such a great time.

"Rallies are for sports," say some. "Rallies are for relaxation and socialising," say others. Well, everyone should have been happy at this one. The traditional miniten, tenniquoits, volleyball and table tennis were played with the usual fervour and skill, while the less energetic games of bowls, chess and darts were just as keenly contested. And there was plenty of time to pass the time of day with friends, at the bar, at the poolside, or perhaps in the shade of the trees.

Perhaps those of you who did not come to the rally are wondering how we managed to enjoy ourselves when the weather was so bad over the New Year period. Well, believe it or not, the Lake Downs Reservation had the best weather in New Zealand (it usually does) with warm temperatures, only an odd shower once or twice, and very little cloud as a glance at the photos will confirm. It even remained dry while it was raining at Palmerston North City a few kilometres away!

Attendance was good, although not exceptional: 200 people from 15 NZ Clubs (including Free Beach and Supporters), and 4 from Australia. Among these latter was Mary Weston, the Immediate Past President of the Australian Nudist Federation, who opened proceedings by leading a discussion on the aims of our movement, especially in relation to Free Beaches. Later she joined forces with her compatriots and recaptured the Tasman Shield in a serious "fun" game of Petanque on the back field.

So now there are 200 nudists with very pleasant memories of our holiday at the Palmerston North Sun Club, and we all look forward to renewing friendships and for the sports-minded, doing battle, at the Wellington Sun Club next year.

That's how much it cost for two adults and three teenagers to attend the national NZNF Rally this year at Palmerston North Club. Including all the entertainment for seven nights, camp fees for eight nights, morning and afternoon teas, the odd breakfast, a magnificent New Year's Eve Dinner and a Maori Hangi. Throw in the good weather and convivial company you must agree, at $40 per head average, we had a bargain.

The hypnotist, who entertained us for over 3 hours, was a show stopper. We have not laughed so much for a long time. Imagine more than half a dozen members being hypnotised and told to replay their childhood at three years and seven years old. You had to see it to believe it. Adults and teenagers playing brrrum brrrum cars on the ground in a crowed marquee or protecting their cuddly toys from other more unmanageable "three year olds".

Flashers, concert conductors and singers were all part of the show and judging by the conversations throughout the following day the show was one out of the bag.

Feeding 250 people on New Year's Eve also presented a challenge to the host club, but as the last guest to be served I can truly say it was well planned, there was still plenty of food available.

Most of the hardened rally goers know that 250 people requiring a shower between 7-8 in the morning and having only 6 showers to go round must mean cold showers. So they went at other times and were not disappointed.

Then there was the lady of the shop who apologised profusely for running out of papers and not being able to supply me with one. This epitomised the rally team's enthusiasm to ensure their guest were happy and well looked after.

We enjoyed going offsite to the local village hall for in-door bowls. The place smacked of old world charm, complete with mothball smells.

There were skydivers, microlite rides; the concert, aerobics, children's entertainment, which was rated highly by the younger members; massage lessons and of course the Top Tribe (Top Town) competition.

All in all an enjoyable rally which was summed up by two teenagers and their mother who had never been to a rally before. "Nine out of ten", they said.

Dedicated to the preservation of the endangered species Homo sapiens nudas

   Homo sapiens nudas (a subspecies of Homo sapiens clothed) is as old as mankind itself; indeed the only common factor of the Darwinian and biblical explanations of its origin is this agreement that this now rare subspecies was in fact the original species. Throughout history the distribution and density of Homo sapiens nudas and their relationship to their clothed brethren has varied according to climate, place and politics.

In modern New Zealand the daily lifestyle of Homo sapiens nudas differs little from that of his clothed neighbours. Climate and custom decree the donning of artificial plumage most of the time. Only when appropriate, and usually in close proximity to water, will they show their true nature.

The history of the species in New Zealand has been chequered. While undoubtedly present in pre-European times, they became extremely rare in the early part of this century. In the twenties and thirties their numbers increased dramatically, however they were still to be found in numbers only within the confines of high walls. Except for a few juveniles, examples seen in public places were noticed to be exceedingly shy, and were observed purely by chance.

Over the past decade or so there has been a further resurgence of numbers as members exercised their legal right to appear in public in their natural state. They have for the greater part been met with tolerance by the clothed species, and an increasing number of the latter are awakening to their true inheritance, and shedding their inhibitions and artificial plumage to join their natural cousins.

Any fine summer's day will now show numerous, well-populated colonies along the beaches and waterways of New Zealand. Despite constant harassment by Mrs Grundy, they survive and increase.

Unfortunately, two of these havens of peace and tranquility (Long Bay in Auckland, and Papamoa near Tauranga) are threatened by property development.

Throughout the world it has been consistently shown that with tolerance, natural wildlife and development can co-exist. Join us then in ensuring that this ancient and beautiful species can continue to live free and unoppressed in their natural state.

by Tony Wilson

EDITORIAL

The sixth national rally was a rally with a difference. It has set a new character to this annual event. Previously, rallies at Wanganui and Kaurimu have been held at well established clubs with fully developed grounds, and could thus provide excellent facilities and ideal conditions. Canterbury, however, has very new grounds with still much to do but in spite of this, they provided first amenities and turned on a truly exceptional rally. Courage, outstanding enthusiasm and a well organised effort compensated for inclement weather and incomplete development of the grounds.

It was an event permeated with the pioneering spirit where hospitality was the keynote. This first South Island national convention further cemented the growing camaraderie among New Zealand nudists. It still further formulated the national association and created a great unity among the members. Names became personalities and aims and ideals through discussion were better understood.

As a convention under canvas it offered an entirely new experience. It was relaxing since formal business was kept to a minimum and the friendly informality of everyone allowed no one to become solitary. A high standard for national rallies has been set and enthusiasm of nudists in this country encouraged to ensure even further progress.

* * * *

Recollections from
Marie, C.S.H.C.

Well the rally is over, and now we are home once again we can remember all the fun we had...

Remember Dick with his undies and pyjamas on, trying to combat the cold; he needed no urging to stoke the caravan stove.

Who was responsible for the earsplitting snores issuing from the "Pyjama" tent? Pug, Stewart, Dexter, Bill and Norman declined to comment.

Alan has a flair for wrecking camp stools, one minute conversing intelligently, next flat on his back roaring with laughter.

Keith of C.S.H.C. who was responsible for the hot water almost 24 hours a day - much appreciated by all. Thank you Keith.

Clarry and Martin who, with their concert, made us forget the wintry weather.

Jim, who brought Harold and I back to reality with an early cup of tea.

Dexter's cup, which Russell christened "the 44 gallon drum with a handle".

Arthur had a busy time helping Glenis run the various games, as well as patching tents.

Trevor, who was as busy as a bee but still managed to keep cheerful.

Altogether I have come to the conclusion that NUDISTS ARE NICE PEOPLE.

* * * *

Management Committee
Proposals adopted by the
General Meeting

Establishment of the National Association

The organisation be proceeded with and that it consist of the National Organiser, the Public Relations Officer, the Overseas Contributor, plus a representative from each of the clubs in New Zealand. That this be the New Zealand Sunbathing Association and that letter heads be printed accordingly.

Change of title for The National Review

The title of the National Review shall be changed to "The National Naturist Review'

Venue and dates of next national rally

Wellington Sun and Health Society grounds be the venue of the 7th National Rally, the dates to be left to this club to decide.

NEWS FROM THE CLUBS...

Kaurimu Sun Club

Social evenings have been held during the winter months including a birthday party for Eric. The President has purchased 2½ acres of land adjoining 8 acres leased from Eric, all beautiful bush. Development of a driveway and car park has started.

Wanganui Sun Club

Many visitors from Wellington and further afield have stayed at the grounds over Xmas-New Year. A number of prospective applicants are coming forward.

Otago Sun and Health Club

Only three North Islanders were able to tour further south after the rally and visit the grounds. We are hoping to hold the rally here in two years time and will work to this end. Concreting the pool continues but heavy rain is making it difficult to get gravel etc on to the site. Plans for the coming year are to build a club house, a children's paddling pool and levelling for lawns and games courts. Insect control is a problem also being seriously considered.

* * * *

Write for the Review. Holiday experiences for nudists readers must be many - we would like to hear them.

AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

Sorry we did not get a letter in the last issue. The delay in receiving the previous copy and the early deadline for the next came together much too soon. The short gap in between was well filled by time spent at the club.

Good progress has been made at the club grounds with the pool fence up, the car park levelled out once again, the ring round almost complete, the club room is just about finished being paneled, and a gym slide set has been erected in the children's play area. People who have not visited us for a couple of years would hardly know the place.

Our president took on a bit of a negative attitude during the winter when one or two members did not renew their subscriptions and club funds seemed a little low. But an unexpected source of income and a good response to a recruiting drive soon put a smile back on his face.

Congratulations must go to P.N.S.C. for a well run rally, or, to us visitors, it seemed that way. If anything did go wrong the organising committee kept it to themselves and did not let it inconvenience the visitors. Although hot showers were sometimes a bit of a "Russian Roulette". But some of us got a bit wise and picked our times and soon got over that small problem. By-the-way, who laid on all the sunshine? Was it Joe Two-Feathers or were we ALL hypnotised?

The "Bare-Bum" tribe wishes to thank all at P.N.S.C. for good camp sites, excellent food, wonderful entertainment, and a glorious time! (Pity those who stayed in Auckland.)

Roll on the next rally.

BAY OF PLENTY SUN CLUB

Our newly acquired trampoline is proving very popular with the younger set. It was a major purchase this year and we are pleased that the expense is justified by its usage and the pleasure it is giving the children.

Due to the inclement weather on our National Open Days weekend, very few of the many people who had shown an interest actually turned up. We had managed to persuade a reporter and photographer from Tauranga to attend on the Saturday morning to see for themselves what went on or came off in a nudist club.

The subsequent article in the local free community paper, written from the viewpoint of a young lady journalist who had never experienced social nudity, was, we felt, an excellent public relations exercise for the movement as a whole and for our own club in particular.

We decided to hold another open day two weeks later when the sun shone and a glorious weekend was enjoyed by members and visitors alike. We gained several new members and I am assured by the 'old hands' that the combined open days were the most successful of any held during the past 14 years at Matata.

Over the weekend of the mini open day the Aussies invaded and we bombarded them with scorching temperatures and the warmth of our hospitality. They were able to join us in a surprise pot luck dinner to mark the birthday of one of our members who did act surprised; whether he really was - who knows?

Liz and Ray from Townsville Nudist Club were intending to catch the Rally so by the time this goes to print many naturists from clubs all over New Zealand may have had the pleasure of meeting them there.

Our other guests from across the Tasman were a family of four from Sun Leisure Club near Brisbane and we spent some time exchanging news and views on the nudist scene in our respective countries.

Liz and Ray returned for our Christmas party which was great fun. One of our newly recruited members is a country music performer and along with some of his family he provided the cabaret as a change from our more usual disco type dance music.

The following day it was the turn of the children. Santa arrived perched atop the ride-on mower, pulled by six naked ladies. In the circumstances it was no problem when his suit turned out to have two pairs of pants and no jacket - he just went topless - but it must have been laughable to see how the one who got the two jackets and no pants coped!

A survey of our members was recently conducted to ascertain the general feeling of where the club should be going and how. About 40% replied and the committee hopes to study the suggestions and opinions more fully and take appropriate action where possible or desirable.

During the current season a concentrated advertising campaign in the Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga press has continued to stimulate the public's interest. The use of a contact telephone number, even though only valid for the Tauranga end of the area covered by our club, is a great advantage and is producing very pleasing results.

This will by my last report as Garry and I are off to England for six months then on our return we are going 'gypsy' around New Zealand in our camper-van. We shall be retaining our B.O.P. membership, enabling us to visit European nudist resorts and beaches and, in due course, the other clubs here, so we look forward to meeting many fellow naturists in the years to come.

ROTOTA SUN CLUB

The wet holiday period meant fewer visitors than expected at our grounds. Those of us who attended the rally enjoyed mostly good weather, and a mighty rally, thanks P.N.S.C. Is Big Chief Crawling Bare recovered yet? For the first time Rotota had enough people for the team events - a lot of fun but no trophies.

The four visitors at Rotota were quite happy, even with the rain; the grass was knee deep and the stream cool and silty.

The grounds were soon tidied-up in the fine weather, ready for the Waikato Outdoor Society 21st celebrations, transferred to our grounds after fires destroyed their buildings.

We now have a BMX track for the children and a club BMX bike. I don't think that the bike has stayed still while there were children on the grounds. Can you imagine Margie on it? She was - just the bike, not the track.

The club has two caravans available for hire, contact Bill and Caryl for booking them.

The Fernland Hot Pool, in Tauranga, is booked on the afternoon of 20th May for our annual winter weekend. Your club secretary should have details, if not, contact Graham on 075-866983. See you there.

FREE BEACH GROUP

"Free Beaches: A Guide to Nudist Recreation in New Zealand" is the Free Beach Group's latest contribution to the promotion of nudism in New Zealand.

It is a handy-sized booklet with an attractive cover drawing of Pohutukawa Bay, and consists of 48 pages of maps, photographs, and detailed descriptions of nearly 160 places where nude swimming and sunbathing are practised. Camping information is included.

The list is fully indexed, and divided into eight sections covering all parts of the country, with the first section devoted to New Zealand Sun Clubs.

Information about the Free Beach Group is given on the inside of the front cover, while the introduction sets out the ethics of nude recreation that have been developed by the group over the years.

The list is available only to members of the Free Beach Group. To join, please write to: Free Beach Group Inc., P.O. Box 41171, St Lukes, Auckland 3.

THE ORCHARD SUN CLUB

We are now settled into our new property at Sutton about 76km or one hour's drive inland from Dunedin, on highway 87. Sutton is located in the area known as Strath Taieri at the foot of the Rock and Pillar range of mountains.

As a result of the move the members should be able to look forward to two extremes of weather, just like Central Otago. Winter there sees snow so deep at times the area can and often is cut off from the outside world. But in summer it's real Central weather with temperatures in the 30s most of the time so we hope this will encourage an increase in membership.

It will be of necessity a different kind of membership with more people staying at the club overnight and weekends instead of just popping in for a couple of hours mid afternoon.

The property consists of approximately 11 acres divided in two by a public road, four on one side used for grazing, seven on the other which is the club.

The grounds contain a five bedroom house, a bunkhouse and numerous other outbuildings. So far six caravan points are in, with a view to three more in the near future. A pool is going to be fairly high on the list of needs and committee is looking at a para pool in the short term.

Screening is also a problem, fencing is very costly so has only been done around the house and caravan area giving about 1½ acres of land to run around 'au-natural'

Membership has been declining since the slip, at present 50, but with more to offer the future looks brighter and some old members have already started to drift back to the fold or have indicated they are interested in doing so.

Dear Editor

With reference to a letter from Judi, Hibiscus Coast, published in the New Zealand Naturist No.127, December 1988, the committee of the Bay of Plenty Sun Club wishes to make it known through your Letters to the Editor" column that the matter of the photograph included in a recent issue without the written consent of one of the people shown, has been dealt with and that every effort has been and will be made to ensure that such a regrettable incident does not occur again.

Dorothy
PRO.
Bay of Plenty Sun Club

Dear Editor,

In issue No.126 of the "Naturist" I read with interest the article by Doug Ball on 'Clothes-Optional Living' He was clearly captivated by the attractions of Mapua Leisure Park in Nelson. It was stated, and I quote, "the Park is on the interface between the nudist and the textile communities, and its philosophy is based on tolerance between the two..."

The rest of the article is equally laudatory and Doug says that the acceptance of nudity learned at Mapua is not left behind when the campers return to their homes. I believe all that is said in the article and it is refreshing to learn of the lessons that Mapua provides. However, I'm equally aware that this is not the sort of thing that would be welcome in the average nudist club, particularly the ones with a moderate membership. It just would not work. It is a truism that our clubs are struggling to maintain their members and the problem is worldwide. However, to permit folk to enter our club and to remain clothed for an indefinite period is a retrograde step. We already have the enigma of younger members (particularly adolescents) opting out of the naked state. It is a general trend which is threatening the very fabric of social nudism.

Every facility is laid on at Mapua where there are natural areas for swimming, boating, etc. Our clubs are not so fortunate or opulent and everything has to be earned and prepared with the zeal and hard work of members. We compete with other recreational bodies and sports' groups as well as the so-called "free" beaches.

I wonder sometimes at the future place of "clothes-optional" parks like Mapua among the average, struggling clubs in this country. It is evident that a few, clothed people in the midst of a normal nudist gathering has a schismatic effect on both groups. Suspicion, embarrassment and doubt occur, where there should be unanimity and peace of mind. Folk would inevitably shy away from such clubs and only a handful of the faithful would be left.

Why should we have such a rift? The answer lies, in my opinion, in the parents' domain. They have lost the confidence of their youngsters, perhaps in not being honest with them or in putting up communication barriers. Let us get closer to our offspring and instill a measure of trust and assurance in our attitudes so that we can grow along with children; we can erase feelings of shame about our bodies if we practise what we preach. The philosophy of social nudism can only come to fruition if we have domestic trust and serenity.

Sincerely,
Derek Tollan

Dear Editor,

On Boxing Day my wife, two young daughters and I visited the New Plymouth club for the first time and really enjoyed ourselves. It was actually our first time ever, with anyone else that is, from a proper club. Once we got our clothes off we found that all our fears of embarrassment went with them. We are going to join the club and travel up to it whenever we can.

While up at the club someone gave me a recipe for insect repellant which is very cheap to make; the recipe is 50% Dettol and 50% Baby Oil. I have not tried it yet but I believe it will chase all the 'bugs that bit' away.

Keep up the good work you are doing with the magazine.

Neville Tricklebank

Dear Editor,

The recent Naturist, in which you printed an extract from 1957, prompted me to ask Trevor B. more about the Rally of 1958.

He told me he had to be very secretive when ordering supplies and tents for visitors.

He had to travel to Christchurch for bread and milk for 120 people and pay cash, as the local vendor did not want anything to do with that lot out there.

In addition Trevor had to pick-up visitors from the Lyttelton Ferry. There was no sport as we know it today, tenniquoits and swimming was the sum total.

People at the rally seemed to spend a lot of their time working to improve the Canterbury grounds. Perhaps the weather had something to do with it - rained for most of the three day event.

Yours Norm

Dear Editor,

I was strolling along the riverbank sweltering in Hamilton's heat, wishing I lived in a more liberal place, when I remembered that some time ago, several people - myself and Doug Ball included - presented submissions to the Royal Commission on Social Policy asking that all laws and bylaws preventing public nudity be rescinded.

I don't find the assertion that "There is no law in New Zealand expressly forbidding public nudity" as being acceptable in protecting our interests. This makes the legal situation seem clear-cut when it isn't, because there is a whole range of laws that can be interpreted in different ways and situations which could result in a case that we would still have to defend.

I notice that, thanks to the "no nudity" rule in Takapuna, nudists are drifting to beaches in neighbouring municipalities. If the biggest fear of the 'Local Body Reform' actually does materialise...

(continued)

STOP PRESS

In the early hours of December 19th two baches at Waikato Outdoor Society were burnt to the ground and an attempt was made on three other baches and the club house.

Two days later an attempt was again made on the three baches and the club house, resulting in a bach being burnt completely.

Five days later the arsonist(s) struck again resulting in the loss of the club house.

(continued...)

That is - the big councils will swallow up the small councils rather than merging with them like we are led to believe will happen, then North Shore City will just become another Takapuna. If their 'no nudity' rule is carried over to the new organisation, nudism could disappear from the Shore.

I can also see years of 'traditional' use of Papamoa being withdrawn as the developers move in. We are idiots if we think that tradition will win over commercial interests.

I have heard all the froth and bubble about how tolerance to nudism is improving but I don't see that being reflected in our laws or at a practical level. We seem to be to be like a pack of vagrants and gypsies who get hassled into moving on when people get sick of us. I don't find that acceptable.

Some of us get around this by putting pools in our backyards but with what I see as a falling standard of living in New Zealand - this option is unrealistic for many of us, myself included.

The only answer to this is full recognition and protection of the rights of nudists under the law, as I stated in my submission. Things will be right when I can doff my clothes and jump into the river right here in Hamilton.

Isn't it time we woke-up and started fighting for some rights before the few concessions we have are whittled away completely?

Those nudists who are saying "We never had it so good, let's not rock the boat" will be speechless when the day comes that the only place left for us is Raoul Island.

Darrell Turner
Waikato Outdoor Society

Dear Editor,

I have done a count and an analysis of photos appearing in the December issue of the Naturist. I was moved to do this through anger and frustration time and again at the format of the magazine.

The photos containing people totaled 20, of those 20 pictures - 10 were solo females, of those 10, in my opinion, 8 were posed. The remaining 10 were group shots and every one of them had females - girl or woman - contained in them. There were 8 little girls as against 3 little boys. Of the women appearing there was only one of the older age bracket and though the photo was a good one just about all her nudity was concealed. Having counted all that, I point out what wasn't there - pictures of, solo men ... NIL, group pictures containing men only ... NIL.

This is representative of most issues of the magazine and is one of the main reasons the book is given only a cursory flick through here, and then dispensed with.

I don't think I'm a radical women's libber, nor in any way could I be called narrow minded. In fact I'm a realist and we live in a real world with real people who deserve a fair share of what there is to go around.

I do not need to study photos of naked men, at least not while I can still get them in the flesh but I like to see a balance, after all we purport to espouse the principles of nudism being for both sexes and all age groups. As I see it this is not borne out in our magazine and I resent the hypocrisy. Everybody and I mean 'body' should be included in those pages regardless of whether that body is what we think of as the attractive type or not. The display of children concerns me and I don't think it is desirable, other than children at play in normal activities. It is questionable when a magazine sports 11 babies or children as against one shot of a 'mature' adult. How about a few more grandparents? We should be building self-esteem not perpetuating the theme of slim and attractive.

Please, why can't there be a balance? It comes across as catering to men and one result of that is that we women can be led to believe that all men think the same way, we have no reason to believe otherwise.

For the record I'm a very fit and attractive 39-year-old divorcee, mother of three, mixed sexes. One child, a 15-year-old boy, is a natural nudist but sometime back he noticed the imbalance in the portrayal of the sexes, before I even mentioned it to him.

Susan Caulfield
Wellington

It's time to repeat that we've said many times before - we can't publish pictures we have never received. The editorial team; both of whom are volunteers, rely on people like you to supply us with the quality material you wish to see.

- Editor

Dear Editor,

I write to see if you could publish for me, in your magazine, my request.

I am interested to have penfriends from any naturist club in New Zealand and Australia.

I am a mature man in my late 40's and my hobbies are reading magazines, travel, meeting people, correspondence, eating good food and lastly photography.

I wish to get to know your country and people and the type of life and climate you have.

I am a Christian and an anglo-asian. I hope to hear from both males and females.

Paul Jones
P.O. Box 2609, Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Dear Sir,

We have not so long ago enjoyed following the Olympic Games in Seoul, and many of us will remember there was some controversy at the beginning about the "Aussie Cozzie" (ie: the Australian team swimming costumes). We are told that the next Olympics may see the reintroduction of the neck-to- knee bathing suit, and even neck-to- knee clothing for track events.

Streamlining, and reducing drag through the air or water are what its all about.

However I am sure I also remember reading somewhere that one of our Australian Olympic swimmers once bettered her own world record in an unofficial length of the pool when she swam totally naked.

I wonder if there is anybody, or some enterprising club committee somewhere, that would be prepared to take up the challenge to run an officially recognised sports event involving at least track and field events, swimming, and possibly diving, where the contestants all wear the traditional original Greek Olympic costume?

Would it not be a great victory for the modern Nudist movement if it were to be officially recognised that at least some world records are held by such athletes.

I find it disappointing that the so-called Beach Olympics (in Australia) are nothing more than a beach picnic. Not that I have any objection to such social gatherings - there really aught to be more of them, but why call them "Olympics" - it tends to insult the original concept of athletic achievement. Why can't we call such gatherings "Family Fun Days", which is what they really are.

Is there someone out there who is prepared to have a go at an official traditional (ie: nude) Olympic Games? - Yes I know the original Greek games were an all male affair, but that is a different issue - I am suggesting that men AND women should be involved.

Yours faithfully,
Roger

NEW ZEALAND CLUB DIRECTORY

The secretaries of these clubs will be pleased to hear from genuine inquirers. Please enclose return postage.

new zealand

naturist

No. 128 March 1989

The New Zealand Naturist is the Official Journal published quarterly by the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc. Registered at the Chief Post Office Wellington as a magazine.

Editor:

Graeme Brown

Business Manager:

Frank Murphy

Typesetting and Artwork by:

Ad Service, P.O. Box 22271, Otahuhu

Plates by:

Ello Litho Graphics Ltd, East Tamaki

Printed by:

Aarkon Printing Ltd.
P.O. Box 38065, Howick

Distributed by:

Gordon and Gotch (NZ) Ltd

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

This magazine is protected by copyright, no part of it may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the editor.

In our desire to present different points of view we publish articles and letters which do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editor.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 2925,
AUCKLAND.
NEW ZEALAND

General inquiries concerning nudism in New Zealand, or overseas, should be addressed to the:-

New Zealand
Nudist Federation Incorporated
P.O. Box 1359. Wellington.
NEW ZEALAND

President: June Campbell-Tong
Wellington 356-918

Applications for membership of clubs should be made direct to the club secretary (See Club Directory)

PHOTO CREDITS

Doug Ball - F.C., P.10, P.12, P.20

Doug Cousins - I.F.C., P.17, I.B.C.

Leif Heilberg - P.1, P.3, P.5, P.7, P.19

Les Olsen - P.22, BC, P.13, P.14

Joyce Turner - P.4

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of Victoria,*

P.O. Box 313,
Reservoir 3073

Nudist Association
of Queensland,*

P.O. Box 442,
Woodridge Qld 4114.

NOTE: The clubs marked with an asterisk (*) above are affiliated with the Australian Nudist Federation.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

129 June 1989 - 20th April 1989

130 September 1989 - 15th July 1989

131 December 1988 - 1st October 1988

132 March 1990 - 30th January 1990