# 140 - March 1992 

If anyone had said to me 20 years ago that I would become a naturist, I would have laughed at them. Born with a congenital deformity that needed plastic surgery to correct, I was very sensitive over undressing before anyone other than my husband. Arriving on these shores in 1975, after terrible winters, and iffy summers of the United Kingdom, the empty beaches, and glorious sunshine of New Zealand seemed like heaven.

We used to find a quiet spot on the beach, and first the top of my bikini hit the sand, then the bottom. Once I had experienced skinny dipping, and had had the sun and wind on my naked body I was converted, and knew that there was no turning back. Unfortunately, as a family group on our own, I found it very hard to weather the obvious perving by other beach users. I was still in a vulnerable state of mind at this time. My husband suggested that we join the F.B.G., with the idea that being with other nudists would give me more confidence to do, what I was beginning to appreciate, was a completely natural and enjoyable way of life. At first I found it hard to be in a group situation with the self conditioning I had imposed upon myself about my not being ‘normaL After a month or two the penny finally dropped that I was being accepted as I was, with no judging, comparison to others, or to a considered accepted mode. For the first time in my life I wasn't trapped with my body, my body was just a receptacle for me. From that day onwards it was as if I had been reborn. My whole thinking had been changed, and now it was adjustment time.

The petrol crisis started to make our trips to the beach too expensive so we joined the South Auckland Sun Club. In this environment my confidence grew, here was a beautiful setting, completely fenced with only people of a like mind inside it. I had my comfort blanket, I was safe.

At this time no relatives or friends had been told that we belonged to a Sun Club. What would they think!!! So although I had come a very long way, I still had a lot further to go. How do you explain to people where you were, or what you had been doing at the weekend, especially when practically everyone you came in contact with was admiring, and making comments about your glorious tan?

The inevitable happened. First the friends and relatives that we thought could 'handle it' were told, and when they didn't disown us, or run screaming from our presence, another giant hurdle had been taken. The years passed and my assurance grew. Now the friends and neighbours that I didn't think could handle it had been told, and surprise, surprise they did.

My final maturity has occurred since taking the office of Secretary of the Club. I was suddenly writing letters to complete strangers and my name was on them. I was being contacted by, and speaking to people who's views on nudism I had absolutely no idea of, and found that it didn't matter. I was comfortable with my way of life and my beliefs and was ready to be counted.

My graduation came on the day we entered a float in the Papakura Santa Parade. Our male volunteer driver asked if someone else would sit in the car with him during the parade and I thought, 'well why not' With some trepidation I got in the car. We had our club flag stretched across the front of the float so everyone ahead could see who was coming, and just in case they missed that, South Auckland Sun Club was plastered on the sides. Two naked dummies were on the float, sorry, I tell a lie, we put sun hats on them, and they held a towel in their hands. A sun umbrella and table completed the scene, with NZ Naturists, bottles of sun screen lotion, and glasses of what looked like orange drink, but was in fact frozen jelly, blue-tacked to the table.

Believe me, it had impact.

The crowd's reaction was noticeable right from the start. A roar was greeting us before they even saw what was on the float. They were reacting to the Sun Club sign. The noise was incredible. For the whole of the parade a wave of excited anticipation hit us, and when they realised that 'live' models were not on the float, the crowd heckled us. The most frequent question being "why aren't you up there?" The comments came thick and fast, and I was enjoying exchanging jokes, and fielding wise cracks with the best of them.

Then disaster struck. The car stalled and would not restart. Due to the slow pace of the parade the battery had gone flat. The floats in front of us were disappearing into the distance, and the floats behind us were piling up. Our driver turned round to me and told me I would have to get out and push. I thought he was joking, and said so. No such luck. Starting to push, I thought, with all these people about why not appeal to them for help. The response was wonderful. All these lovely men leapt to our assistance and the laughter was magical. Once the car was rolling I was running along beside it, one hand on it just in case it stopped again. Now you can't make much more of a declaration than that. I found I was seeing the whole episode as a great big lark. Here I was, running down the main street of my home town, with goodness knows who watching me, proclaiming myself as a member of the local Sun Club with a vengeance. It didn't even bother me. By coming out of the closet, and not worrying about what other people may think, I was having a wonderful time, with lots of fun and laughter. I felt that I had passed with honours!

For me, becoming a nudist, has been one of the most important and valuable decisions of my life.

If only summer holidays could last forever! Thanks, A.O.H.C., for a wonderful rally - I came away quite relaxed and ready to face the unreal world again. We didn't even get home, but went straight to Rotota so that Jamie could be with his friends for a while longer.

With shared meals, evenings in the warm stream, and socialising, I didn't get to the clubhouse for four days! The meals were great - I don't think Jason and Steven (W.S.C.) will forget our "dog-roll and grass" dinner (luncheon chub and salad). Late, long, relaxed meals, but who cares when on holiday and with good company.

Ken and Judith (W.S.C.) left their fizz-boat at Rotota while they were at the rally. Water skiing and wild tyre rides for all with "she of the fat-white-leg" (Geraldine W.S.C.) doing the accounting so that all users paid their share of costs. Well done! That's the fairest system I've seen.

Ken and Judith did some 2-up skiing for Doug's (W.S.C.) camera - "No, we can't stop and hold it while you adjust your aperture" Then on to the rest of us. Adam (Wang) and Stephen W. (W.S.C.) showed us how, Adam with no previous experience and Stephen W. with a little, both onto the slalom ski in short order and making it look easy.

Stephen W. did three perfect beach starts before wiping out, and Adam did some deep water starts and then a beach start on the day he left. Pretty good, for a weeks effort. Put your whip away, Ken; you trained them well.

Most of the adults had the sense not to have a go. I must have big sticky feet with the problem I had dropping a ski. Eventually made it, but not quite both feet on the slalom - some heavy crashes. My ribs are feeling slightly better after twelve days, Ken, but still very sore. Maybe next time.

There is a fundamental need in all of us to come to terms with both our own bodies and other people's. Unless we do we can never be completely happy, because we will always be uneasy about our physical being. But that need cannot be fulfilled without nakedness. You cannot come to terms with something kept hidden, or about which you know only falsehoods.

Nakedness allows the body and the truth about the body to be seen. It is the sharing of that truth and the annihilation of common falsehoods that cause the deep relaxation naturists know so well. Lies create stress; the truth delight and rest.

The need for men to be naked with women has, unfortunately, been made much greater than the need for women to be naked with men by society's decision that a mans genitals are much less acceptable than a woman's pudenda.

Little girls are taught, directly or indirectly, that, although it is not socially acceptable for their bodies to be seen, they are nevertheless admirable. Little boys are taught that their bodies are not only beyond the social pale but also unacceptable, even ludicrously so.

Common reactions to a naked man (often, surprisingly, from men) are disapproval, mirth and ridicule, and a desire to look elsewhere. A common reaction to a naked woman is approval - either open or covert - and a desire to look longer.

The four-letter word for the penis is very revealing; it also means a prize fool, an idiot, someone who should only be laughed at.

I am quite sure that one of the imperatives driving a rapist is the desire to prove by force that his penis is not a joke. If little boys were taught by their mothers that their genitals were normal, natural, and good (the truth), and to respect, even revere, their mothers' bodies, there would be few sex-crimes. Sexuality would be suffused with light rather than heat, and the world would be a much better place.

The insistent myth that modesty resides in clothing is the most potent aphrodisiac ever invented. It makes possible, for males in particular, an artificially exaggerated sexual high and the perpetuation of false beliefs about what is arousing.

If nakedness were accepted in our society, if it were an everyday fact of life, then sex without love - the uncaring lust for gratification - would be the exception, not an unfortunate norm.

Nakedness should be seen as what it is: natural and positive (and no more sexual or immoral than taking a shower). Too often we use the negative word 'undressed', which keeps reinforcing all the wrong notions. Or we go only halfway, and say 'in the nude because we are afraid of using the simplest and most direct word: naked. (It is also the most pleasant, with a clean, honest, open sound well-suited to its sense. 'Nude' does not have the loveliest sound in the language, and the unfortunate echoes in 'rude' and 'lewd' are not lost on the mockers.)

Even many sun-club members have gone no further than just being undressed. They have changed only their bodies; but true nakedness is as much a state of mind and spirit.

Traditionally, many have differentiated between undressed and the naked with careful definitions of nudist and naturist: a nudist is one who undresses to be nude;

a naturist is someone who likes to be naked because it is natural, it is part of a conscious desire to live in harmony with nature.

If you are truly human, you think of your physical boundary as your body, not your clothes. You know the truth of Jesus' dictum that the, body is more important. Clothes are merely externals, and come second in your thinking. But most people think of their physical being as having a boundary of cloth, which not only lessens their humanity, but also causes them to fear nakedness because it means shedding part of their very selves.

When describing Adam and Eve in his epic poem Paradise Lost, the great Puritan poet, John Milton, summed up perfectly what has diseased our society for so long:

'Nor those mysterious parts were then concealed;

Then was not guilty shame - dishonest shame

Of Nature's works, Honour dishonourable,

Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind

With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure,

And banished from man's life his happiest life,

Simplicity and spotless innocence'

(Book IV, lines 321-318)

Ridding yourself of your dishonest shame and reversing the damage it has done may take concentrated effort, which the common mythology will always try to counter, but the change can be made and is well worthwhile. Simplicity becomes more and more a way of life; you become more perspective; you make many wonderful discoveries both large and small; you gain self-confidence; and you feel younger and cleaner.

But perhaps the best result, in this polluted age, is that those who are naked in body, mind, and spirit live closer to the planet, are more in harmony with it, and are less likely to do things that destroy it. If you shed your fear of, accept, and are in tune with the part of you that is made of earth and air and water, you will be in tune with the earth, the air, and the water.

Someone who goes barefooted will not smash a bottle or tip poison on the ground; if there is nothing but air next to his body he is less likely to pollute it; if his skin is his only protection he will think before destroying the ozone shield. And he will not even consider nuclear war. Only concrete bunkers and special suits make that possible.

Between naked people there are not barriers that exist between clothed, or even undressed, people. They are closer to each other; there is more trust; they are more open and honest; and they have a deeper mutual understanding.

I remember, years ago, meeting a woman whose back had been broken in an accident, and who had just had extensive bracing removed. Because both she and I were naked, I felt, without the need for words, the intensity of her pain, and her long struggle back to health, to a degree impossible otherwise.

Our lives are written in our bodies. True,, there is much in our faces, but to understand and be understood fully we must first see and be seen fully.

It is in our bodies that we begin our path to understanding (the first steps to heaven are taken on earth).

There is a natural relationship between the nakedness of the body in the light of the sun, the nakedness of the mind in the light of truth, and the nakedness of the spirit in the light of God. If, through fear of our bodies, we gain no bodily enlightenment then our mental and spiritual enlightenment will be limited.

Fortunately, nakedness is not outlawed in New Zealand. Section 27 of the Summary Offences Act 1981, headed Indecent Exposure, says that anyone is liable who 'in or within view of a public place intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his or her genitals' [my italics]. In a letter written in 1988, the Minister of Justice paraphrased that well: 'nudity alone does not constitute an offence ... [it] must be accompanied by an obscene act or expression to amount to an offence.' His paraphrase has since been supported in the District Court, and the High Court has confirmed that nakedness is not offensive behaviour (see NZ Naturist, 139). Very sensible laws: the body is legal; foul-minded actions done with it in public are not.

So for nearly 10 years human beings in New Zealand have had the freedom to come to terms with the human body.

Use that freedom wisely and well. Walking naked down the main street would be unwise; for you would risk antagonising the many who still fear and avoid their bodies. But your own house and garden, the less-populated beaches, bush-walks, great areas of the countryside, and countless quiet places give you opportunities in abundance to become a better human being, in harmony with God and His creation and all that you are.

Obituary:

Jack Carr

- Secretary NZNF

It is with sadness that I record the passing of Jack Carr from cancer on 28th November 1991.

Jack joined the Wellington Sun Club Inc in the new year of 1959 and accepted his first appointment as Secretary in October that same year. He retained the position almost continuously until 1971. He again accepted the role for two further terms in 1975/76 and 1980/82.

His quiet unobtrusive manner won the sincere respect of many people throughout the nudist fraternity. He was also a very active member of the club and willingly gave assistance at Rallies and other club events.

In 1987 he was appointed Secretary of the New Zealand Nudist Federation, a role he held until his death. He was highly respected for the quiet efficient manner in which he conducted the Federation affairs during his term in office.

His gentlemanly pride, friendliness and the sincerity of his belief in the naturist movement set an example to us all and he will be sadly missed by those of us who had the good fortune to know him as a friend these many years.

Les Olsen - President

"One very hot evening some years ago, I was sitting nude along with other naked people, on the edge of the spa, paddling our legs and talking about everything in general, when along came a well-dressed man who was babysitting six primary-school age children, four boys and two girls.

When they arrived in the pool- complex it was obvious that they were new to the camp, and also unused to nudists. All the kids were well dressed, the boys in long pants, and long dresses for the girls, and all lined up along the wire-mesh screen which was there at that time. They all stared at us goggle-eyed without saying a word.

It was apparent they weren't about to strip off and jump in, but the dad, who was looking after the two families, said to the ticket-seller, "It's my son's birthday today, how much for a spa for the kids? After paying for them all, with perfect clarity he said "who's in for a skinny-dip before bedtime?"

With amazed astonishment, mouths dropping open, the kids turned to face each other with the prospect. While dad was away to collect the towels, the conversation went something like this - "No way, I'm not going to go naked."

"Your dad's got to be joking, it would be so embarrassing!"

"You can if you want to, but I won't do it".

And so on for several minutes. It was most entertaining to listen to their horror changing to something more conspiratorial. When Dad got back with half-a-dozen towels, they were more or less agreed they would do it.

"Come on, you're the only one piking out, but we won't do it unless you do, too!'

"Well, no way am I going to be the first one in".

"We'll do it together. What say we come out with our towels on, take them all off at once on the count of three, and jump into the spa?"

"All right, I'll do it. But no jokes about private places, you lot."

It was an enjoyable scenario as they scampered off, the boys to the left, and the girls to the right. Nudist children are a wonderful sight at any time, but there has always been something especially wonderful in seeing kids discovering the delights of nudity for the first time. Especially a large group like this, Shortly six young bodies all wrapped in large towels, stood around the spa. One had the feeling of inevitability as the countdown started.

"One ,two, three, GO!' Everybody just stood there, waiting for somebody else to be brave. I don't think any of us could quite believe it. They tried again, with the same result. "We can't do it, dad. Not with everybody watching. You'll have to go and get our togs!"

Poor dad had to go back to the caravans again, and the kids back to the changing rooms, but five minutes later kids in bathing suits were all over the place. It was nice to have them there, but it wasn't quite the same as it could have been."

End of episode. But let us look into it, and wonder why six youngsters couldn't take that naked plunge. Perhaps if they had been there on their own, or with no-one in particular watching, it may have happened, but introduction into nude bathing at ages say six to eleven years, seems to be leaving it rather late.

Think, reader as you might as a young child, if you possibly never saw your parents without clothes, how shy or self-conscious you would be if presented suddenly with even your own parents' nudity perhaps, let alone a group of other nude adults.

Let us look at a family scenario where parents have reared their children from babyhood through to teenagers in a household of openness. If a naked toddler can come through the open bedroom or bathroom doors, to see Mum and Dad nude and natural, then intermix that way on through their growing years, they know what all people look like under their clothes. The difference in the sexes is thus for them an on-going visual process, and any growing child can see the changes their own personal progress is going to take them to later. Of course small children ask inevitable questions which become much easier for parents to answer honestly in this healthy learning environment.

To help prolong that enlightened family scenario, surely if a growing family were to have constant holidays in places, i.e. sun clubs, quiet beaches or bushland settings, wherever nudity can be normal and comfortable, young people should obtain a much better and broader understanding and value of life.

At such times, in similar situations to that of which my friend wrote, there would have been no hesitation and six uninhibited youngsters would have joyfully been experiencing that fresh, free feeling of "no togs".

AROUND THE

WORLD

IN SIX DAYS

Members of the Auckland Outdoor Health Club were host to the 40th NZNF Rally held on their grounds 'Oranui' in West Auckland over the Christmas holiday period. Some three hundred nudists from throughout New Zealand gathered to celebrate this milestone in our nudist history and with the excellence of the weather, enjoyed to the full, six days of sports, socials and recreation not available at any other resort in the country.

The concept of national rallies was borne in the mind of Perc Cousins, our founder member, who along with Ivan Mowlem of Wanganui arranged for the first rally to be held on the, Mowlem property in Wanganui in the new year of 1953.

Some thirty nine adults and nineteen children attended that first rally and from those humble beginnings the concept has continued annually ever since. It is my belief that our rally format is unique and without precedent elsewhere in the nudist fraternity.

Brilliant sunshine greeted the arrival of our visitors whose first chore was to set up their campsite in preparation for the six fun filled days ahead.

On the morning preceding the opening ceremony, the New Zealand Nudist Federation held their Annual General Meeting with delegates attending from throughout the country. Les Olsen the NZNF President welcomed all in attendance and presented a metallic badge to each delegate in recognition of the 40th Rally.

The opening ceremony was held in the afternoon and our resident Dame Edna and Madge officiated and were ably assisted in throwing large quantities of gladioli to those gathered. The opportunity was taken to officially open the re-furbished BBQ area and the honour of this was given to Dick Salter who had worked many long hours on its construction.

The splendour of the area was enhanced by the magnificent array of flowers so carefully nurtured by Jocelyn and Graham for the occasion.

Following the first BBQJ a Wine and Cheese evening was held followed by a Fashion Parade featuring dresses and evening wear by three of New Zealand's leading fashion designers.

The next night provided the opportunity for all budding singers to have a go on the Karaoke machine. The younger set thoroughly enjoyed themselves in group singing the many hits from the latest albums available.

The feature night of the Rally was surely the Las Vegas night where our own dancers 'Donna's Dancing 1oupe nine ladies and one gent performed dance routines worthy of a Broadway showing.

After months of practice, the dances were performed with faultless precision and the costumes were something to behold.

The ladies of Oranui provided such a high standard of entertainment that it will surely be hard to emulate at rallies for some time to come.

An international night was held on New Year's Eve and the variety of costumes gave the impression of many world travellers gathered at an international airport awaiting their flights home. The live band played until the small hours providing a wonderful atmosphere in which to celebrate the coming of the new year.

The very large group of children at the rally were entertained with a very active programme of events each morning: They took part in such items as body painting, cardboard aeroplane making, treasure hunt, cooking, mask making to name but just a few. There was a bush craft day and Burma trail plus a day's bus tour to various parts of Auckland city. This highly exciting programme allowed the mums and dads the opportunity to take part in the sports programme or just to relax and enjoy their holiday.

Each lunchtime, Donna, our fitness instructor, held aquarobic classes and many people took the opportunity of the swimming pool exercises. For some the simple exercises were more strenuous than they seemed and some tired and sore muscles resulted from this activity.

Top Team - the nudist version of Top Town - always provides a fun time for the participants and spectators alike. One always needs to be alert to the likelihood of receiving a wet sponge or bucket of water at the most inappropriate time both during and after the game.

Quite a few jugs of beer got watered down this year due to the proximity of the bar area to the games. Plenty of vigorous competition was evident during the four days of this event and the Canterbury Arabs finally held off the strong challenge of Wellington and Waikato.

On the night of the 2nd January a German Beerfest kept the rally goers amused and entertained. The Kumeu Pipe Band musicians provided the skulling music and Donna's Dancers performed dance routines on the tabletops avoiding the likelihood of damage to themselves and the guests and not the least spilling any of the contents of the stems.

A fun night of square dancing introduced many to this popular form of dancing. Two of Auckland's leading callers encouraged everyone through some of the basic moves assisted by those club members who square dance regularly throughout the year.

The final night was reserved for the Perc Cousins concert which has been a tradition from the very first Rally.

Perc had a fondness for vaudeville and was associated with repertory groups in his home town of Wellington for many years prior to his death in 1968. The concert gives nudists the opportunity to entertain their contemporaries with dance, comedy routines, oratory and instrument playing and as in the past years this concert entertained and amused everyone until a late hour with a very high standard of entertainment.

Donna's Dancers gave a farewell performance to riotous applause and following an encore was presented with flowers for their efforts.

All to soon the rally visitors departed, the marquee lowered and the hired equipment returned and the grounds of A.O.H.C. returned to normal with the regular members enjoying the quiet relaxation of the native bush clad grounds.

Everyone had a wonderful holiday and we look forward to next year's event to be held on the grounds of the Hawkes Bay Sun Club in Napier.

ALPINE LAKES NUDIST CENTRE

As expected sunny Central is living up to its reputation already. But that is not to say that we have been sitting quietly for the heat to turn on ... to the contrary. . . winter sports and socials have been successfully attended. With all the energies that have been spent on getting our club formed these social meetings have been a real boost to the spirits.

There was a great turnout to Murray's and Maureen's birthday party. A lot of members brought along friends and it turned out to be a night not to be forgotten (or perhaps some of it should slip the memory?)

The weather was superb for the ski trip at Cardrona. Not everyone could make it but those who did certainly had a great time on the mountain. Even the non skier. By the end of the day everyone was challenging the slopes. Two of the boys tried snow- boarding for the first time with success. They'll be itching to get back up there next year. It was a pity we were all too busy having fun to stop and take photographs.

It was a disappointment to arrive at the ice skating rink only to find the ice was under an inch of water. However that was short lived. The bumper boats proved to be far more exciting for both the adults and the kids. Just unfortunately that nobody was carrying two sets of clothing. Everyone went home with wet bottoms at least.

Thank you Auckland Sun Club for the moral support you gave us via the magazine. Yes, you are the first club to congratulate us and we do appreciate your support.

Naturism is certainly a friendly society as the Federation Officers have proved to us also.

A tremendous amount of work and shuffling from one government department to another has gone into researching suitable properties for use as the club's base. It was decided at the last Committee Meeting not to proceed any further with the Gibbston ex-school site for various reasons. And we will concentrate our efforts on looking for a site around the outskirts of Alexandra / Cromwell areas.

We have several favourite spots along rivers and will still be having our outings. Hopefully we can secure a lease nearby in the not to distant future so we can begin using the equipment and facilities already acquired and just waiting to be used.

NELSON SUN CLUB

The summer of '92 looks like being a "cracker" We have already had a great spring and early summer with just enough rain to keep things lovely and green while leaving most days fine for all to enjoy.

Labour Weekend saw eight from Sunrise competing in friendly combat at Sutton, Central Otago against the Dunedin club. We played golf, table tennis, darts, pool and petanque. Petanque (French bowls) was a new one for us and we hope to have a set before too long. The hospitality at Sutton was excellent, culminating in a 4-course dinner including scallops (we thought they should know what REAL scallops taste like) and a pig on a spit.

We certainly hope this will be an annual event.

Our Open Day in November was a great success with President Bill's radio interview creating a lot of interest and subsequently more new members.

In January the annual Mapua/ Sunrise golf tournament went very well with Sunrise managing to win back the trophy this year. Our thanks to the folk at Mapua Leisure Park for their continuing interest in this event. The Open Golf Tournament also went well and by playing both rounds before lunch we managed to beat the shower of rain mid-afternoon. Both trophies were keenly sought after with play-offs for the smaller prizes causing a lot of hilarity.

We are expecting visitors from both NZ and overseas throughout the coming months with the four clubhouse bedrooms being very popular, along with caravan and tent sites. Although bookings are not essential, a phone call to President Bill (number in the directory at back of magazine) will ensure the site of your choice.

The new pool is certainly being enjoyed by all with its temperature high enough for the most fastidious and the newly extended miniten court has already had a lot of use (and we still have to mark it out properly!)

Because our area includes the whole of the "top of the south", 'away days' are planned during February and March so folk do not have so far to travel. In the meantime - roll on Easter Sports Tournament (house booking essential).

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB

The NZNF 40th National rally was a great success and provided enjoyment for many friends and visitors from Canada, USA and Germany. Since the rally our Club Swimming Sports and Top Team events have been held and many campers have remained to enjoyed the beautiful summer weather we have been having. There has been a slight increase in membership due to the public relations efforts of Brent and we look forward to meeting more visitors who have indicated their intention to stay with us for short periods prior to the onset of winter.

NEW ZEALAND NUDIST FEDERATION NEWS

The 23th Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc was held at Auckland Outdoor Health Club Inc preceding the opening of the 40th National Rally on 28th December 1991.

The following officers were elected to manage the movement for the forthcoming year.

President, Les Olsen - Auckland; North Island Vice-President, Stan Gartner - Waikato; South Island Vice- President, Norm Wilkinson - Canterbury; Secretary, Peter Holt - Auckland; Public Relations Officer, Kevin Sampson - Marton; Trophy Secretary, Kay Burrows - Canterbury; N.Z. Naturist Editor, Graeme Brown - Auckland; N.Z. Naturist Business/Manager, Frank Murphy - Auckland. Additional Appointments: In Touch Editor, Edna Sykes - Hawkes Bay; Supporters Secretary, John Trotter - Morrinsville.

Amendments were made to the Constitution to formalise the Supporters Group which has been in operation for some ten years.

The Alpine Lakes Nudist Centre was granted affiliation as a Society Member Club.

This new group has been established in Central Otago and has during the past year provided an enjoyable and challenging programme for their members.

Following the business session of the meeting, a delegates' luncheon prepared by Laurel Olsen and her team was held and the 40th Rally birthday cake was cut by Les and Kay with the assistance of Daphne and Colin, senior members of AOHC. The rally team are to be congratulated for providing such excellent facilities and for the obvious hard work that had gone into preparing the grounds for the Rally. It was decided that the next rally would be held on the grounds of the Hawkes Bay Sun Club in Napier at the end of 1992.

THE ORCHARD SUN CLUB

Sutton Sunrise Golf Tournament

Nelson donated the impressive "Cup" which is to be 'fought' for each Labour Weekend. Twenty-one members from the two participating clubs entered into the spirit of friendship and competitiveness but the best team won on the day. Congratulations Nelson. Games of all sorts, not just golf, were played all weekend - the hardest of which was to find the golf balls.

A large thank you goes to everyone who helped organise the weekend and for all those who travelled many miles to participate.

The gourmet meals that were served on the Sunday and Monday will forever be remembered, especially Kay's never-ending Soup de Jour, Don and John's spit roasted pig and Scallop Mornay a la Trevor and Elizabeth. Just thinking about those three kilos of huge scallops gets my mouth watering.

HIBISCUS COAST SUN CLUB

Yes folks, we are still here, small in number but a lively group of us are in the hills behind Orewa.

Many thanks to all who have supported our hot swim nights at Parakai - the last Saturday of each month, February to November 4pm-l0pm, takeaways on site.

The November swim night was a great success thanks to all those who attended.

Over the past three months our clubhouse has undergone exclusive renovations. We now have a good kitchen and a separate lounge. New (well almost) carpet has been laid down and good furniture installed.

While there may have been times when it appeared we were getting nowhere it is quite amazing to look back and see how far we have come.

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

On the tip of everyone's tongue, at the time of writing, must be the rally. Congratulations to the A.O.H.C. for a well run and well organised event. Everything they had control of seemed to go without a hitch. No doubt behind the scenes it may have been a little different at times.

It was nice to see fashionable clothes displayed on ordinary people without the sleeky glamour of professional models. It also showed that the fuller figure can be well presented.

The details of all events will surely be noted in a full article. But praise must be given to the "Ranui Ravers".

This team of women were willing to turn their hands to just about anything. The costumes they wore were to say the least, eye-catching, but very appropriate to the occasion, and very well designed and worn.

The midday aquarobics were well patronised. It was amazing how a pool full of people, dancing around in one direction could generate such a swift current. It was hard work changing around to the other direction.

As to the sports, it must be said that our own A.S.C. fielded the strongest team. They were always at the bottom keeping everyone else up!!

Although there was a little sadness when the end of the rally came, it was quite nice to get back to the peace and quiet of our own club after such a hectic week. All that most of us wanted to do was to rest and recuperate. But there was one or two spasmodic bursts of energy when a few logs were sawn to keep the boiler going and an attempt was made to clear a little more of the bamboo. Most of the work was done by the ladies, cooking the meals and making chutney from a glut of donated tomatoes.

We had the pleasure of hosting many visitors during the week following the rally. Most of whom were taking advantage of having a peek at our modest facilities while in the area before dispersing to their home clubs all over New Zealand and beyond.

An attribute to clean water or was it keen eyesight? One of our members lost a diamond from her engagement ring while swimming in the pool.

This was seen on the bottom by some hawk-eye sitting on the edge of the pool looking through nearly five feet of water!!!

Our club has been very fortunate this season in having most of its members renewing their subscriptions. The new members who have now joined, far exceed those that have left. This also has been one of the better years for fundraising.

The coming winter season holds promise of some fun social and weekends, due to the fresh ideas and enthusiasm of the new members.

SOUTH AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

Well it's been a while since our Club has participated in the Club News section which is very remiss of us, but from now onwards we will endeavour to send in a regular entry so that New Zealand and the world is aware of our existence and what has been happening in our neck of the woods!

Those of you that have been in the movement for a time will remember when our pool was flooded and we had to get an earth bank built round the pool to protect it from further floods. This left us with approximately an acre of land that was unusable, as to provide the soil for the bank, the back area was left a wilderness. For years we have been trying to get clean fill from local contractors so that we could level off this section, topsoil it and utilise it. Last June our tenacity paid off. A very large section of the area is now level and although the contractor has said it could take up to two years before it is finished we can see our hopes materialising.

We have just completed the children's pool so the whole pool complex looks a picture and club members have been taking the opportunity to cool off on some of the glorious days we have had.

One occasion that will be forever remembered by the club members that gave their time and effort to it, will be the entry of a float in the Papakura Santa Parade. The present Committee put their heads together and once an idea was formed with the cooperation of other Club members, had us driving along causing a furore en route. Just to make even more of an impact, the car stalled and wouldn't restart because the battery was flat. Honestly we didn't plan it and when the crowd was asked for assistance the men literally leapt to help. If minds are boggling at this stage imagining our Club Members in various stages of undress on the float and wondering how we didn't make the front page of The Herald, the answer is very simple - we used shop dummies. The impact was tremendous. The feedback from the crowd wonderful. Our faces were aching with laughter. Anyone who watched the Parade is now very aware there is a South Auckland Sun Club, and in our opinion it has to be the best RR. our Club has ever done. We are going to enter again next year and if any other club can do likewise in their local parades up and down the country it is a very friendly and positive way of promoting nudism.

Our congratulations to A.O.H.C. upon the magnificent Rally they held and we look forward to the interclub activities that are still to come.

Dear Editor,

As the defendant in the 'free beach' court cases described in the last issue, I think it worth emphasising the key point: the only behaviour that can qualify as offensive under New Zealand law is that which the court thinks would arouse the strongest feelings - anger, disgust, or outrage - in a reasonable person. How the court thinks has now been made very clear.

It can always be successfully argued, because it is the undeniable truth, that the human body would never cause such feelings in reasonable people. They might be delighted, noncommittal, surprised, amused, mildly embarrassed, or perhaps a trifle irritated, but they would never have feelings of the type and strength that can put nakedness outside the law. (It is only people at the unreasonable extremes, from Patricia Bartlett's at one end and the glowing red-necks at the other, who might feel strongly. And the latter only light their blue torch-papers at naked men, partly because they feel insecure about their own bodies and partly because they wrongly assume that all naked men are homosexuals - by the same perverted logic a 'topless' woman should be half lesbian.)

But if 'would never cause such feelings' is thought to need solid endorsement, there is much to hand. As is recorded in the Bible on which we swear in court, God Almighty commanded the prophet Isaiah to go naked in public for a period of years (chapter 20). and God, as we are told in James 1:13, never asks anyone to do anything evil. The pagans, too, knew naked wisdom. In Plato's epochal work The Republic, he described the ideal city, a place in where the best men and women would be rulers, 'the guardians' For them, nakedness would be common-place, as it would with their wives, 'for they will clothe themselves with excellence instead of garments.' Plato also described as 'barbarian' any races that thought nakedness ugly and ridiculous.

No one would call Isaiah or Plato anything but reasonable men.

The most important effect of the courts' decisions is to underline what was achieved by the change from the 1927 Police Offences Act to the 1981 Summary Offences Act: the human body became legal in New Zealand; clothes were no longer obligatory.

Under Section 47 of the old Act, the body was an illegal object and the wearing of clothes a legal requirement, because the result of 'exposure of the person' could be imprisonment. But although S.47's replacement of the new Act, had the same title (Indecent Exposure), the fact that it was coupled with S.26 (Soliciting), and centred on the phrase 'intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his or her genitals' [my italics], made it clear that it was only concerned with sex-offenders such as flashers etc.

The naturist battle is therefore won in New Zealand. We no longer have to hide away in corners behind high fences. We can use our rights. Now all we have to do is make sure public education wins the mental battle amongst the red-necked fringe and a few stone-throwing little boys.

Yours,
Trailblazer

Dear Editor,

I have been happy to renew my magazine subscription for 1992, to keep in touch with the ups and downs of fellow naturists in the antipodes, mainly 'up' I hope.

However, looking back over 1991 and indeed, the latter half of 1990, there has always been something concerning Religion and Naturism in every issue.

I do think this is a bit over the top. It may be very theological and erudite, but as one who tries to lead his life on simple Christian principles I see no point in people using the bible to either justify or denigrate naturists.

Naturism itself does not need any justification, it is something good that has developed and spread throughout the World to become an established fact of life. Anyone who is misguided and uncharitable enough to want to suppress the genuine concept of naturism, must have an uphill task.

It is strange that Scripture is brought into play regarding the sheer simplicity of nakedness. A profusion of paragraph numbers get quoted in bewildering array so that it begins to seem like some sort of surrealistic bingo game. I do not think you will find so much soul-searching and brandishing of the Good Book in any other of life's activities and I feel it is about time a moratorium was called on this subject.

If I may finish on a slight philosophical level, I believe that if the sun's rays have come to us over millions of miles, then it would be churlish not to welcome them with the whole of our bodies.

Best wishes for a natural 92.

Yours faithfully,
W Budd

Dear Editor,

I would like very much to correspond with New Zealand Naturists and if you would care to publish my name and address I would be most grateful.

My interests are Nature, Politics, Reading, and Photography. My sports are Gymnastics and watching Football (any code) and Netball. I enjoy also the Ballet.

I would prefer a female correspondent irrespective of age and will guarantee an answer to all who write. I am an active nudist.

With regards, I remain,

Yours sincerely
Ross Lawler
PO Box 745,
Kingaroy, QLD 4610
Australia

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. 140 March 1992

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

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.

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

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: Les Olsen
Auckland 444-5015

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Graham Macgregor - P2, P3

S.A.S.C. - P21

Rally Photographers - F.C., I.F.C., P4,

      P8, P10, P11, P12, P14, P15, P16,

      P17, I.B.C., B.C.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

141 June 1992 - 20 April 1992

142 September 1992 - 15 July 1992

143 December 1992 - 1 October 1992

143 March 1993 - 30 January 1993

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of Victoria,*

P.O. Box 313,
Reservoir, Vic. 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.