# 161 - June 1997 

Isn't it funny how we take so many things for granted when we wear clothes.

Having joined a sun club over a year ago I find the lifestyle just fantastic. Fantastic that is until one weekend I discovered the funny side to relishing in this natural state.

My discovery goes something like this... Having joined everyone at our club for the regular ritual of happy hour - where the adults drink and the kids pass the chips around - I had eaten my fair share of chips so continued to finish the hour just consuming my beer. This was great until I happened to look down and discovered chip crumbs in my pubes!!! I suddenly felt very self-conscious. How would I get these crumbs out? What would I do with the crumbs if I did happen to remove them? This predicament was something very new to me, because not only were the crumbs in my pubes but how did they get there? If I was wearing clothes these crumbs would have been collected on my chest!

I discreetly scanned the group of happy campers, hoping for some signs of help.

Photo: Les Olsen

To my relief I saw a few of them casually brushing their lower regions like it was an everyday occurrence. Then a few others stood up and shook their towels. Quickly I realised that the flash of panic I had just suffered was not necessary, as the problem was easily rectified.

My next nudist encounter was when I decided to go to the toilet. After finishing my "business", I stood at the sink, washed my hands and while drying them took a look at my suntanned back in the mirror. But to my horror I had a huge big red "ring mark" around my bottom! Forget the suntan, suddenly I regretted sitting on the toilet for so long. If only I realised that the "ring mark" would be that red.

Now I had to walk back to my seat in front of everyone. I decided to be completely blasé about the fact that my bottom had been framed by the toilet seat. This little tactic worked wonders. I have since seen many a framed bottom and other varieties of prints such as: grass, towels, brick walls, slatted seats, the hot tub - just to name a few.

Oh yes, and when you first get sunburnt in the places that have never in their lifetime seen the sun ... you feel like people can see you coming a mile away. Who needs cooking gas when you can offer your natural heat from your glowing bottom!

Then there are always the places where the mossies manage to leave their mark. Some places you just don't even think you could get bitten!

And then there is the worst predicament of all. This one I'm still coming to grips with. Where do you put those things like smokes, lighters, tampons, sun tan lotion, sun glasses, etc.

From this weekend of discovery I have learnt two great things. The first one is, that without clothes we have absolutely no barriers. The second is, that without clothes I would never have experienced the nudists' "secrets", which in my opinion is a wonderful initiation into a wonderful lifestyle that I would never change for anything else in the world!

By Michele T - Bay of Plenty Sun Club

The Small Club

with a

BIG FUTURE

The Taranaki Naturists' Club reaches new heights
by moving to a lower level.

Doug Ball reports on the big shift.

Five years ago the Taranaki Naturists' Club was based in an old farm house on Upper Mangorei Road near the boundary of Egmont National Park. On a fine day this was a very pleasant spot. The views down to New Plymouth City and up to Mt Egmont were spectacular, but such fine days were few and far between, and not always on a weekend. Often one could look up from sunny New Plymouth to see a layer of cloud (or worse) shrouding the mountains and club grounds.

Something had to be done. Shifting the mountain was not an option, so the only logical thing to do was to sell up and shift the club. So it was that in March of 1992 the big decision was finally made and the property was put on the market. That same year it was sold, and the search was on for a new home.

That new home was to be a 5.5 hectare area of pasture land bordering the Waiongona River, not far from the New Plymouth Airport, and not far from the sea. Fortunately the money received from the sale of the old clubhouse was sufficient to purchase the land and three second-hand buildings.

Over a period of five years a dedicated band of club members provided the voluntary labour to transform these old buildings into a very tidy and functional clubhouse, kitchen, ablution block, and garage.

It was a long slow job, but well worth the effort.

The clubhouse is beautifully finished inside with wood veneer panelled walls and pinex tiled ceiling. The roomy kitchen has a modern gas-fuelled range. There are 4 flush toilets in the ablution block and 2 hot showers.

Photos: Doug Ball

There were 12 individual objectors to the plan. Some objectors did not want anyone to buy the land, some were worried about excess traffic to and from the grounds, and some were simply anti-nudist. After a long battle involving three visits to court, consent was obtained subject to several conditions, and the club was given five years to comply with them.

These conditions included the provision of boundary screening with native trees at least 3.7 metres high, no nudity until the screening had grown, and permission was to be obtained from all the neighbours if more than 60 persons were to be on the property at one time. In addition there was to be no public promotion of the property as a nudist club.

The first condition was almost impossible to achieve, since there are no native trees that could withstand the salty sea breeze and grow to 3.7 metres high. The solution was to plant hundreds of hedge pines and banksias, and later to plant native shrubs in between them.

The no-nudity rule was surmounted by the construction of an ingenious 2.4 metre fence around the clubhouse area with a plastic sight screen that can be extended on fine days to avoid offending any passers by.

Now that the five-year period is over and all the conditions have been fulfilled, active promotion of the club can now proceed. This article is the first step towards increasing membership and visitor numbers.

Even without publicity, membership has doubled over the last year, and the club now appears set for a very bright future. Membership fees are $60 per person per year, and in order to preserve the family atmosphere, club policy limits single men to a maximum of 20% of total membership, single women to 20%, and the rest families and couples.

Future plans involve the leasing of permanent 10m x 10m sites to members.

The spade work is now complete, the trees are growing fast, and the friendly Taranaki Naturists' Club is waiting to welcome you. So why not come and join them?

You can contact the Club by writing to 43 Strange St, Waitara, or by phoning Daphne and Ray Saunders at (06) 752 3852.

Article and photos by Doug Ball

Since there is no 230 volt power supply to the property, there is a 12 volt lighting system throughout the complex. Adequate water for drinking and washing is pumped from a nearby well.

Outside is an 11m x 4m swimming pool, a volleyball court, trampoline and play equipment for children.

To create the 'new' club there was more than physical work to be done. Permission had to be obtained from the District Council under the Resource Management Act for a change of land usage.

The reason many Christians think their faith is incompatible with nudity is because they're 'Paulians', following the teachings and theories of Saul who became Paul, rather than of Jesus Christ who gave the faith its name. Now, let's look at why?

Judaism is generally seen as Christianity's parent. After all, Jesus was a Jew. But, if we'd followed Jewish thinking, it's unlikely we'd have the attitudes and hang-ups we have today.

The old-style Jews were nomadic graziers. Their life revolved around their sheep and goat flocks and cattle herds. As has been the case with farm kids through the ages, the facts of life were no mystery as they grew up. It takes no great feat of imagination to relate the way bulls and cows make calves to the way Dad and Mum make babies.

The Jewish understanding of the Old Testament led them to conclude there was no inherent reason to be ashamed of naked bodies. Chapters 2 and 3 of Genesis made it clear Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden for being ashamed of being naked, NOT for actually being naked, as God made them and expected them to be.

Right from the start, the Bible tells us it's no sin to be naked. Being ashamed of our bodies and covering them up because of that shame, or modesty, is what really offends God and qualifies for the label 'sin'.

Later, in the second book of Samuel, we have the story of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the temple. He danced all the way through town with his skirts flying in the breeze and showing everybody he was wearing no more than the legendary Scot wears under his kilt.

When one of his wives criticised him for exposing himself, he told her God didn't mind and neither did he because he was dancing before his Lord. We're told God punished that wife by making her infertile for the rest of her life. Once again, the sin is not exposing the body but being ashamed of the exposure.

Photo: Les Olsen

Jesus, and the apostles who'd actually known him, didn't see bodies as a major issue. Faith and salvation weren't about whether people did or didn't wear clothes.

Paul, on the other hand, was determined to make Christianity a world religion, not just a reformist Jewish sect.

Changing his name from the Jewish Saul to the Latin Paul was a symbol of the direction he was heading in his mission work around the Roman empire. His background was also quite different from that of the other apostles.

He was born and brought up in Tarsus in Turkey, a major centre, at that time, for learning, industry and commerce. He was both a Jew and a naturalised Roman citizen who spoke Aramaic (Jesus' language), Hebrew (the language of the scriptures), Greek (the common tongue of the entire Middle East) and some Latin.

From his teens he was trained as a legalistic Jewish Pharisee in Jerusalem, but he also studied the ideas of the Greek and Roman philosophers. While he criticised their worship of numerous Gods, he embraced their moral philosophy and incorporated that in the version of Christianity he shaped and spread around the known world.

Six centuries before Christ, the Orphic religion, in Greece, introduced the dualistic view of human existence with a troubled immortal soul trapped inside a mortal body. Things and feelings were seen as temporal but ideas were eternal, so if the mind could grasp eternal ideas, the mind must be capable of eternal life. The mind then became the soul, and one's proper task in life was to attain peace in this world and prepare for a future one by leading a pure life and performing certain rituals.

The question of how to lead a pure life caused prolonged debate and discussion.

We'll look at the directions that discussion took, and how it influenced traditional Christianity, next issue.

We naturist types have a spirit of adventure and love exploring new places, especially those off the beaten track where there will be less people and more natural surroundings, fresh air, more beaches and more freedom.

There is something appealing about the idea of living on an island, or at least staying there for a while. A small island must have plenty of coastline and it may be possible to explore the whole place within a limited time.

Aotea, Great Barrier Island - or, to locals, "The Barrier," lies Northeast of Auckland at the entrance to the Hauraki Gulf. Access is by light plane or a two-hour sea trip by ferry (the Fuller's "Jet Raider"). Great Barrier is actually a geological continuation of the Coromandel Peninsula just 19 kilometres to the south across the Colville Channel.

On arrival, we met a young Swiss couple who had actually crossed by dinghy from the Coromandel but judging by their rather green complexion, that short-cut was not recommended.

The island boasts New Zealand's finest white sand beaches, with rolling surf on the eastern side, dense subtropical bush and sheltered bays, topped off with spectacular volcanic formations. At around 28,500 hectares it is the North Island's largest off-shore island. The population of around 1000 swells ten-fold during the summer holiday period, but we were there in early February and found it very quiet. "... Paradise," says the brochure ... "unique, unspoiled ... all as nature designed it!" and a naturist paradise - that's my opinion!

There is no sun club on The Barrier. They don't need one because the remoteness, the spaciousness, the sparsity of population and the general feeling of open-mindedness seems to allow for freedom of choice and a friendly live-and-let-live attitude.

We put up at the Pohutukawa Lodge, a YHA hostel right next to the shop and the sea at Tryphena. The proprietor, Arthur, offered us a ride to Medlands Beach on the other side of the island where we enjoyed watching the surfers, but we thumbed a lift back there the next day when the sea was calm and good for swimming. We picnicked in the dappled shade of native trees and walked naked the length of the beach before putting on a few clothes to set off along the road to Tryphena. There are no sealed roads on the Barrier and no public transport but one inevitably gets offered a lift from some friendly driver of an old banger or van. There is no rush hour on Great Barrier Island!

Some 60% of the island is managed by the Department of Conservation which aims to protect the many rare species of plant and bird life. Great Barrier is one of the very few places in New Zealand completely free of possums, which is why the pohutukawa continues to thrive there. By the way, the YHA hostel is no longer at Pohutukawa Lodge but is in a new building named The Stray Possum Lodge.

Photos: Joyce Fleming

Strange choice of name.

The climate on the Barrier is 2°C warmer than on the mainland. A family who befriended us showed us round the large garden of their holiday home where they picked a bunch of bananas from the tree to take home. They gave us a lift to the wharf for the return journey. I was nervous.

On the way there we had experienced the reality of the sort of phrases one hears on the radio's marine forecast, like "Easterly gale. Wind at 32 knots and swell rising to four metres..." But this time it was a pleasant journey and we returned to the busy city to get our photos developed and prove what we're telling you about those wonderful beaches on Great Barrier Island.

MURRAYLANDS

Clothes Optional Retreat

- Michael Wilson

Keith announced the weekend forecast on a cold Friday morning... "fine, mild and 17°". In the middle of July in Adelaide, this would be a miracle. But true to his word ... it was!

It turned out brilliant, just the weather the Pillars needed. They had really gone all out to make this weekend special. It was Christmas in July at Pilwarren Naturists Retreat.

Around Saturday lunch time the guests began to arrive and settle into their allotted cabins. Neil and Cathy, the unofficial games masters, were keeping people amused with games of skill and sheer chance. A large group armed with clubs set off for the bush. No, they weren't hunting, they were off for a round of mini golf. I pity the wombats close by, they must be learning some very interesting vocabulary by now.

Deneice, our newly elected president, was catching up with all the latest news and friends she hadn't seen for, a while, so Christian and I decided to have a practice run at mini golf. You wouldn't believe it, I scored a hole in one at number 2. Christian scored one at number 14 and then the luck ran out. My ball splashed into the 'Killer Carp' water trap at number 16. Only a warped mind would actually fill the trap with yabbies! Christian looked on in horror as I plunged my arm into the freezing water, hmmm ... is this my ball? Heck no, it was a yabbie!!! "Would you like my spare ball", asked Christian. "Yes, please!!" said I, with heart racing we beat a hasty retreat. Later at dusk a group of us stood around a huge bonfire fuelled by dead box thorns. It was hard going to ignite due to the recent heavy rains, but it was a spectacular sight.

By early evening quite a few were milling around having pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. Every now and then someone would disappear fully clothed, then reappear wearing nothing but a black tie. It could only mean one thing ... the nude Christmas Dinner at Pilwarren was ready to begin. What a meal, pumpkin soup followed by turkey, ham and vegetables. Then came dessert, pudding in brandy sauce.

Photo: D. P. Pillar

Every one was stoked! The atmosphere was fantastic with laughter everywhere.

The hosts were laying on seconds and thirds until we couldn't take it any more. Next came coffee and Irish Cream chocolates and cheese and fruit platters. As the tables were cleared, the fun began again. Some people continued conversations, some shared each other's wine. A greeting to both Matthew Lang and Queen Adelaide, 1995 was a good year.

One group started a game of trivial pursuit, another much to our horror, started singing. "Did some one step on a cat's tail?" "Is there a distressed animal in here?" Something drastic was needed. A good excuse for Super-8 movies! Abbott and Costello ("Who's on First?"), the Marx Brothers and Smokey and the Bandit. All great fun and a good finish to a great night.

On the way back to the cabin I spied the sugar gliders and possums. They are specially caged, which makes them easy to observe.

Bacon and eggs started the next day! A casual day for working off the feast.

Deneice and Mandy did a huge circuit of the property. Others went canoeing, playing golf or relaxed over the Sunday mail. Christian and I damaged a few ant holes with a round of petanque. Then just as we thought it was safe to go back towards the eating area, it was on again. It was lunch time and there was barbecue stuff galore. If the pergola area had a wooden floor it probably would have collapsed under the weight of all the foodaholics.

However, all good weekends must come to a close. The shadows were getting a bit long so we packed up and said our goodbyes to David, Debbie, Graham and Mandy. Graham warned us, like he always does, about the wombats on the road. We hadn't seen any before, so we didn't expect any now. But we were surprised, there they were - huge, standing next to their burrows. The three of us had only seen wombats in zoos and sanctuaries, so to see them in their natural habitat was awesome. A totally unexpected surprise to a terrific weekend. Thanks to all at Pilwarren... When's the next one?

Over the weekend of February 1 and 2 twenty representatives from Alpine Lakes, The Orchard Sun Club and South Canterbury Sun Club, aged from 4 months to four score years (and more) arrived to enjoy the annual Camping By The Clutha weekend organised by Alpine Lakes Leisure Centre.

People began arriving from early Friday evening setting up camps with plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the long warm evenings that Central Otago have to offer. One visitor, expected to arrive on the Friday evening didn't turn up until Saturday mid-morning. It was believed that the reason he belongs to a 4WD club is so he doesn't get lost! (that's why you stay in convoy!) With the continuation of the brilliant weather as ordered, the remainder of the campers were settled in by Saturday noon.

The scene was set for a glorious weekend on the banks of the Clutha River. A small group of non-campers, who'd slept over in Cromwell, were most welcome as day visitors and shared all the weekend joys too.

The time came to organise the ablutions area which later became a talking point of the weekend. A fitting retirement for the nappy bucket (baby has left home). The delegated man, with the bottomless bucket, shovel, seat and lid traipsed off to erect a very efficient designer port-a-loo complete with a very adequate paper-roll holder.

The solar showers were set up but it appeared that people preferred to bathe in the chilly Clutha waters (not surprising when the temperature climbed to the mid thirties). Although there were several safe, shallow swimming holes, there are always some who wanting more than leisure.

They wish to test their swimming skills. Several were seen swimming across to the opposite bank (quite a feat, believe me!). Then they had to walk a long way upstream to dive into the mighty Clutha and drift back to camp. A long rope swing and a diving log, put in place by earlier campers, were well used.

The Robin Hood in our midst shot his arrows here and there and although the rabbits were everywhere there was not a bunny to be brought to the barbie at all. Not only did campers suffer the absence of wild meat for dinner but recruits had to go out and help him retrieve the arrows from the scrub. Another of the campers carefully laid snares at the entrance of several of the many, many rabbit burrows in the area. It appeared that the local pests are too smart to be trapped.

GO NATURAL

From swimming in Lake Alexandrina and climbing the rugged slopes to view the exhilarating mountain vista beyond Lake Benmore and Lake Pukaki in the South, to then choose from an abundance of beaches and clubs culminating in a visit to the Magic Place at Rotota in the North, is only a small portion of the wonderful palette of 'clothes free' opportunities unique to us here in New Zealand.

On our first sunny excursion into the Mackenzie together, Brian Williams and I travelled to Lake Alexandrina and walked along the shores of the lake stopping to enjoy a leisurely swim and treated ourselves to lunch whilst basking in the wonderful mountain air with only the birds and fish for company. I thought, this is a life of bliss, what shall we do next?

Last Easter we took to the road again in the 4WD towards Burkes Pass and Black Forest Station to participate in a fund-raiser for the Waimate Rotary Club. We travelled the private road of about 40km built in the late 1960s by the then Ministry of Works to service the power transmission lines for the North Island supply and maintained by the NZEC.

The road took us up over a pass on the Kirkilston Range down to Benmore Lake which we followed round to the dam itself. On the way we took several photos and it was a mad scramble as well as a bit of a laugh reclining nude against this wonderful rocky mountain backdrop with several of the 200 odd cars negotiating the steep inclines above and below, completely oblivious to our antics.

Lunchtime gave us an opportunity to walk off the road and dine au naturel accompanied by the gentle sounds of the lake lapping at our feet, disturbed periodically by fizz boats doing a double take at the rare site of the two carefree diners on the lake front.

When we finally arrived at the dam site, after an eventful but nevertheless enjoyable journey and checked in, it was time to don tramping boots and make our way up to the summit of Observation Hill and view Benmore and Lake Pukaki and the snow capped mountain range in the distance. The resulting panorama after the hot climb was reward in itself.

Upon the return journey to Lake Tekapo via Omarama and Twizel we turned onto the canal road to view the magnificent range of mountains centred by Mt Cook positively gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Would you believe it, we had run out of film.

The New Zealand Way

Photo: Brian Williams

Our national public relations logo sits well with me and, thankfully, it is becoming increasingly acceptable to enjoy our clothes free lifestyle at many places in New Zealand, whether it be swimming at the beach or river, or enjoying a leisurely stroll through the multitude of native bush areas.

During the past year I have taken a positive step in widening my enjoyment of the nudist lifestyle.

As an avid miniten player most of my spare time over the past few years has been centred on the courts at Pineglades.

While this very sociable pastime has certainly improved my fitness level (and sharpened my competitive edge), it became obvious that apart from attending the national rally every year, I was not taking advantage of the virtually unlimited opportunities for clothes free recreation outside my own club.

Winter stamped its icy hand over the Mackenzie Country requiring warm clothing for my first ever attempt on the ski-field and return to the ice-skating rink. I attacked Mt Dobson with all the bravado I could muster in my multicoloured ski-gear, however my initial foray failed to see me leave the nursery slopes. A 40 year absence from Lake Tekapo ice-skating rink tells its own story.

However the curling contest which I found myself taking part in the following weekend whetted my competitive nature and I am looking forward to sweeping a path again this winter.

In between times, visits to Pineglades were again highlighted by congenial company on the miniten court including the regular Thursday club, followed by the luxuriating benefits of a winter spa and sauna session.

Spring brings a freshness to the Mackenzie and one almost feels sorry to see the snow disappearing from the surrounding countryside. Happily though, it also means a fresh warmth from the sun during our excursions in the back-country.

Very soon it will be summer holidays and time to visit many of my friends at other clubs including the new clubs at Waikato and Katikati, ending with a stay at Rotota. More of that later.

Whilst I would be one of the first to agree that organised nudist activities offer a vast range of benefits for many of us, whether single, couples or family groups, the New Zealand countryside offers a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the clothes free lifestyle which, I believe, is our inherent right.

Go Natural - it's free, clothes free.

BY KAY HANNAM

Scenes overlooking Lake Benmore

Photos: Brian Williams

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank you ever so much for the opportunity of acquiring back issues of your wonderful magazine. As I read, I can watch the evolution of the magazine and the many issues at stake among naturists. I subscribe to other naturist publications, two of them here in the United States. As comparison, your naturist life seems to be much more tolerated in New Zealand than in the USA. It seems that our organisations are fighting a constant battle just to keep from being branded criminals by legislation proposed by puritanical minds.

I visited Australia this January past, but I was not economically up to visiting your country. I do hope to get there before the millennium; if I don't, I will know there is a land in this world where my lifestyle is tolerated and dream nice dreams of it.

Thanks again

Roy J. Michel Jr

Los Angeles, USA

Dear Editor,

At the tender age of 73 - birthday last month - it has suddenly struck me that with the kids in Christchurch and Sydney and the moggy dead (RIP) we are in a position to travel wherever we want to go - if we've got the right transport. So, throwing caution to the winds, we are buying a camper-van and come next summer will be heading off to see a lot of our lovely country and of course taking the opportunity to visit many of our old friends in the clubs. Freedom at last!

This leaves a Scamper, up for sale to any nudist who wants a small, mobile easy to tow camper. Price negotiable - just contact Peter and Sheila on (09) 444-1002. Anyone interested?

Stand by all you fellow nudists - we're on our way!

Peter Holt

Dear Editor

We always read your magazine from cover to cover - there is so much that we can learn and use from the experiences of others and we need it all as naturism seems to be gaining rapid acceptance in our country.

The recent Court ruling in Ontario that it is acceptable for women to be topless equally with men has opened up a lot of discussion in the media on the whole matter of nudity. The decision came in the middle of our winter so it may be another month before any amount of toplessness could be in practice. The Ontario government has made some noises about asking the Federal government to limit toplessness through the criminal code. The FCN has submitted a request that the existing court rulings stand.

With the Federal government loaded with problems - unemployment, debt, etc. and on the point of calling an election, hopefully they won't be in a position to do anything for some time. Then we can have a summer to prove that the country won't fall apart if women get some extra enjoyment from our short summer. As usual, I am sure that the people will handle this better than the politicians. We will follow developments closely in coming issues of Going Natural.

Best wishes to you all
Doug Beckett
Editor, Going Natural
Federation of Canadian Naturists

Dear Editor,

Are there any naturists belonging to a local medieval enactment group or SCA who are planning to attend the Medieval Canterbury Faire 6-9 Feb 98?

Or anyone pursuing model steam engineering who might be visiting Tauranga International Model Exposition 8-12 Jan 1998.

If so please contact Roger Wright, 9 Glenesk Rd, London SE9 1AG, England, or fax +44 181 850 6516 or email Roger@corpex.com.

Roger Wright

CCBN/INF/Suntreckers member

Dear Sir

Last year I was delighted to offer for sale through NZ Naturist a quantity of naturist magazines. I am again able to supply a limited quantity of Health and Efficiency magazines and some of the last issues of SOLAR - Australian magazine from the 60s.

Persons interested in purchasing any of the above could write to me c/o NZ Naturist for a listing of the magazines available. Be in early as I was not able to satisfy some of those who ordered late, the last time. A SAE would be appreciated.

Yours naturally

J. Creek

Dear Editor,

On this occasion, I'd like to thank you once very much for the regular sending of the magazine "New Zealand Naturist" which I study every time with a lot of interest. I'd like to congratulate you very much on the layout of this magazine and wish you further success for your work.

Karl Dressen

INF President

Dear Karl, Thank you for your generous comments. It's nice to know our voluntary labours are appreciated - Editor

Auckland Sun Club Inc.

Auckland Sun Club's only life member couple, Ron & Hanna Rencher, stepped down from a long period of official service to the club at the April committee meeting. It's the end of an era for the club, an era which is characterised by the development of permanent, quality facilities following the early period of makeshift ones.

Ron and Hanna are well known to many naturists throughout the country. Having joined ASC in the late 60s, the couple have served in a variety of capacities on committees over those thirty years. Ron has just completed yet another term as president despite a health setback and Hanna is happily handing over her club responsibilities having cheerfully managed the combination of purse strings and secretaryship for the past several years.

In addition to the tremendous contribution locally, both have accepted national office in the past. Ron was national (NZNF) president for two years in the late 70s. At the same time, Hanna held the (now discontinued) position of Ladies' Representative.

They are a volunteer couple with the rare attribute of vision, coupled with selfless, sleeves-rolled-up action. Things got done through their ability to galvanise members' action. The fine clubrooms, pools and other facilities that members and guests enjoy today is significantly due to their efforts. Over the years they have been convincing public ambassadors for the club and the wider movement.

Living at Glen Eden (now there's an appropriate place name!), Ron and Hanna are just minutes from the grounds. They will often be seen at the club relaxing, helping out and continuing as an experienced public relations point of contact.

There is no doubt that the club and what it stands for have been, and will continue to be, very important to them. But now there will be more time to do the touring, make further progress on certain specific nudist issues of interest (e.g. sun safety/skin cancer) and enjoy some other activities that have had to be temporarily shelved.

Club management is in very good heart.

The Orchard Sun Club

Several members of The Orchard and South Canterbury joined with Alpine Lakes for a camping weekend on the banks of the Clutha River at the beginning of February. I'm told that the river was great for swimming but cold. I didn't attempt it. Yours truly got a bad dose of a stomach virus and couldn't join in all the fun, but managed to stagger out to the camp site and lie in the sun. Others went on walking treks to some of the interesting old gold mining camps that the area abounds in. Something to look forward to next year.

The weekend after the camping trip we had our social weekend at the club grounds. Unfortunately, grey weather kept some away, but those that did attend had an enjoyable weekend. Certainly the board games came in useful when it was trying to rain outside. Remember, our club is an all weather club and even if you can't enjoy the sun, you can enjoy each other's company.

Wellington Sun Club

It seems hard to believe that we are in the first month of Autumn but we still have plenty of weeks of warm sunshine to come. The Saturday and Sunday night barbecues continue to be very popular.

This is a great way to unwind from the week's activities and to catch up on friends. So come and join us. We have been using the gas barbecue recently due to the total fire ban for the Wellington region. Hopefully this will be lifted soon.

One strange but pleasing phenomenon is the recent influx of new members. You certainly couldn't say that the hot summer weather has been a reason for the surge.

Perhaps it's in a large part the result of the P.R work that continues on an on going but very limited basis (thanks to Ken and Judith who seem to have 50,000 other portfolios).

One wonders however what results might be achieved if we really focused on this important part of our 'business' and applied some serious funding. P.R is one of those expenses that many clubs struggle with because of the difficulty in measuring the relative benefit.

The reality is that we are in a very competitive market. Our competitors are all the other leisure pursuits, now much more readily available for the average person. Many of these have huge marketing budgets that. we couldn't possibly hope to compete with.

Nonetheless professional planning needs to be applied to develop a strategic approach to tackling this all important issue.

While many people might baulk at the thought, history shows that organisations like ours despite the best intentions in the world of those involved suffer from people being too close to the problem to see the answer.

To this end it is pleasing to be part of a committee that is applying a business-like approach to managing Wellington Sun Club 'Ltd'.

Free Beach Group (South Island)

The good news or the bad? O.K. The good news is that our membership numbers have held despite the 'bummer of a summer'. That pesky wind has just kept on blowing. Nevertheless, we've enjoyed our outings to Camp Bay, Woodend Beach and Tumbledown Bay and have established ourselves at Taylor's Mistake as a home base. Our policy is to gain acceptance at these beaches by being seen as an authentic clothes-optional group, enjoying our healthy activities of skinny-dipping, canoeing, playing petanque and, of course, just loafing around talking, reading, picnicking, etc. We are not flaunting ourselves nor are we hiding. We fly the yellow "Fred Bear" flag. Other beach users appear to be unconcerned about our presence. Ain't that good news?

The Free Beach Group is a nationwide organisation with regional subcommittees. We in Christchurch are now meeting to arrange a winter programme and look forward to better weather next summer.

Joyce Fleming

Canterbury Sun Club

Waitangi Day at Pineglades heralded the return of the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade and their families for the annual volleyball challenge match. We didn't make it on the 'Holmes' programme this year and the Rolley team managed to wrest the trophy back from Canterbury Sun Club.

Food is always an attention getter at any club and the hamburger bar set up by Nigel and Chris, aided and abetted by various willing helpers in the BBQ area was very much in demand over the summer months.

A very feminine Easter Bunny of shorter stature than previous Easter Bunnies graced our lawns this Easter, sharing her marshmallow and chocolate goodies with young and old alike. This was followed by the presentation of sports prizes, culminating with the announcement of Sports person of the Year - Nigel Copus. Nigel was chosen first and foremost as a nudist sports person, who plays a variety of sports, always willing to assist in administration and overcoming physical disability. But boy, oh boy, can he pack a mean miniten serve!

While the rest of us keen-eyed sporties were still looking for the kitty, Norm Wilkinson and Nigel cleaned up the Open Doubles Petanque. This reminded me of the time Norm won the Open Darts title at Hawkes Bay, where he commented 'blind man in buff wins darts'.

Special mention was made at the prize-giving of one of our best loved sons, Alan McPherson, for his determination and success on the sports field at the rally. What a wonderful tribute Eddie Kwok wrote about the 'King of the Tiebreakers' in the last issue of NZ Naturist.

This year I am taking up water-skiing, bmx riding and Frisbee golf and issue notice to all campers that I can be quite competitive armed with a pair of water-wings!

Kay Hannam

Rotota Sun Club

At Easter unseasonally warm weather saw many of us manage a final top up on our tans. We had a great crowd with many visitors and heaps of fun.

The 'pot luck' dinner on the Saturday evening was a buffet on international cuisine and was a great success while the musical entertainment that followed showed just what talent we have hidden in our club from bagpipe to piano - violin to double bass - accordion to flute - not to mention those talented sisters with their harmonised singing who received an encore! Altogether it was some enchanted evening. What a great feeling to belong to such a family. Thanks to everyone who practised long and hard for their items. On Sunday evening PJ put on an impromptu disco which rounded off a great weekend. Incidentally, the club has now acquired a piano so maybe we can have a few more musical evenings.

Yes! The National Campout is happening at Rotota Sun Club next summer (29th Dec 1997 - 2 Jan 1998).

You, as a member, are being invited to help make this a success; tell us you will help. Rotota will benefit by having the National Campout here next summer. More nudists will find out what a beautiful place we have ... and want to return. 

Yes! You will have fun, just by being there. No stress, no pressure, many friendly, happy, family people.

Where else could you find this?

NATIONAL
CAMPOUT

December 29

to January 2

- ROTOTA -

No Stress No Pressure

Supporter Members Group

During the week prior to the annual Free Beach camp-in at Ngatuhoa in the Kaimai range west of Tauranga, an organised gathering of supporter members camped at Katikati Naturist Park and enjoyed the fabulous facilities provided there. Members had been invited via our newsletters during 1996, to KNP for the purpose of getting to know each other and generally exchanging ideas and experiences during the period of 13th to 19th January 1997.

This proved most enjoyable. Members from as far afield as Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Taupo, Whangarei and Kataia held the first organised meeting of Supporters ever held in New Zealand. At the conclusion of this meeting a letter of appreciation to Kevin and Joan Sampson (proprietors KNP) was signed by many of those present. The popularity of their park was very evident and a request to have another get-together, and meeting at Katikati at the same approximate time in 1988, was placed before them.

The meeting on 17/1/1997 raised some interesting points. The impromptu services of our meeting secretary of the day was very appreciated. These following comments made by various members were recorded:

1. We must look forward as a movement.

2. It is so important to encourage youth and to listen to their views.

3. Our promotion of swim-days, camps, picnics or beach days in areas where distance permits attendance.

4. The apparent communication lack between FBG, Clubs and SMG could partially be rectified by sharing more newsletters between these three 'wings' of the organisation.

In response to this, I have therefore mailed copy of our March issue 'That's Natural' to all clubs, requested in return that specific items, relevant to our members be received not later than the 10th of any February, May, August and November, so that this can be included in our quarterly newsletter.

Having been solely responsible for the production of 'That's Natural' over the past eleven years, I urged members to contribute articles for it, particularly from our youth who are the future of the organisation.

Our March issue newsletter was provided by a 13 year old youth. Positive comments have been received from members praising this young man's excellent contribution. Another view expressed was: "Could the NZNF Inc provide a central library of naturist videos for club, and individual members use?"

One long-term member pointed out that before the January meeting no supporter member ever had the opportunity of knowing or meeting other fellow-members. Another member; who had been prominently involved in the formation of an early-Auckland region club; gave further contribution of his knowledge to the meeting. From which, all agreed we have only one way to go - FORWARD.

Katikati Naturist Park has made possible a real milestone in our SMG history.

John Trotter, Secretary.

Auckland Outdoor Health Club

Following the Medieval Rally we have had some very enjoyable days especially at Auckland Anniversary Weekend when we held our winter club activities and Top Team.

As usual the Top Team provided some excellent entertainment for all those persons in attendance.

The 'Hot Night in Texas' social was especially enjoyable with the Al Hunter Band providing an excellent selection of country music to dance to.

Easter as relatively quiet in spite of some very fine weather. The annual miniten championship was completed and a chicken on a spit provided a very enjoyable social occasion.

Justin Thyme

Photo: Doug Cousins

Princess Of Spielplatz

Oh fairest naturist of this land

You are the finest to be found.

You've lived and worked within the grounds

Since this grand club was found.

With dreams of love and nudist life,

And love of nature's true delight.

When you look you're sure to find

A club that's not been left behind.

There is the tallest pride-made tower,

That was made by men with power.

The power to see what will be,

Through the years as naturists' now see.

To pass upon the toil-laid road

Holds a thought to unfold;

It lives its life, snaking through

The times and efforts - of men and you.

She drew the folk through thick and thin

Through the war and land so grim.

Through God's heart, with grit and grin

They all came, mostly thin!

Fraught for food and lean of hope

They fell in Spielplatz hand to cope.

Some came to see, to swim and play,

They learnt to dream in a peaceful way.

They lived and loved, in the path of life,

Close to nature's purest sight.

They were mostly London folk

Now tightly wrapped in Spielplatz cloak.

We need but look upon this land

To see how much is truly grand.

Why! Here it longs for you and me,

And all those naturists to be!

No darkness dawned, no shadows fell

Spielplatz triumph as all can tell,

Is in its heart - the way of life,

That textiles crave throughout their plight.

Spielplatz stands in time-earned pride,

The mould of Mac's undaunted drive;

For in his stride there came but to,

The Prize of Spielplatz and a Princess too!

Roger F. Wright

WE'RE CALLING ALL

SUNLOVERS!

This is a new magazine which will focus on naturist destinations both in UK and abroad.

Susan Mayfield, the Editor, has had many years experience as a naturist journalist and editor associated with the British Naturism journal.

This quarterly magazine - issue 1 of which is now available - presented in A4 format and generously illustrated throughout in colour and black and white.

Sunlovers! is available on subscription from Natural Leisure, PO Box 65, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 8TJ. UK.

Annual subscription £20 (4 issues).

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. 161 June 1997

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:

Les Olsen Tel/Fax (09) 444 5015

Business Manager:

Laurel Olsen

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 Secretary NZNF
P.O. Box 74-257
Market Rd PO
Auckland 1005

President: Kay Hannam
Tel/Fax (03) 347 8623

Secretary: Peter Moosberger
tel/fax: (09) 520-0796

Applications for membership of Clubs should be made direct to the Club Secretary (see Club Directory).

PHOTO CREDITS

Doug Ball FC, P2, P3, P17

Les Olsen P1, P4, P5

Joyce Fleming IFC, P6, P7, P8

D. P. Pillar P9

Bert Vince BC, P10, P11b, P12b, P13a

Steve Patrick P11a, P12a, P13b

Brian Williams P14, P15

Graham Macgregor IBC

Doug Cousins P21

DEADLINES FOR COPY

162 September 1997 - 20 July 1997

163 December 1997 - 1 October 1997

164 March 1998 - 20 January 1998

165 June 1998 - 20 April 1998