Papamoa Beach
In marked contrast to St Leonards, the outcome of complaints about Papamoa's
'nude zone' have been sensibly handled by both the council and the police. Late in 2002,
there was a community meeting! The local police have been patrolling the dunes behind the beach and
the beach-goers on the sand are very appreciative.
One view of the first Friends' & Family Day, February 2000
Papamoa Beach Rd runs alongside the 'nude zone' which is directly seaward (left) of the
sign in the dunes, exactly 1.5 km from the Girven Rd (Mt Maunganui end)
intersection. Park by the fence and walk 50 m across the dunes to the beach. (Except in the case of adverse
weather, setting up anywhere other than on the sand below the dune edge, is specifically
discouraged due to the complaints which that generates.)
A happy scene at the Friends' & Family Day 2006
Naturist-only accommodation is available at
Katikati Naturist Park,
about 30 minutes drive west, toward Waihi.
(Visitors may be interested in the Naturist-friendly accommodation available at the
Boatshed Apartments only 600m from the 'nude zone'.)
Typical numbers from the 2004 Friends' & Family Day
Omanu Beach
Over the last few years, discreet use of Omanu Beach, about half way between the Papamoa
'nude zone' and Mt Maunganui, has also been noted.
Along Omanu Beach, clothes-free use is usually a little more discreet than suggested here...