Welcome to this our first In-Touch for 1993. It is our desire to share with you as much information as possible on the current nudism scene in New Zealand.

 

Marketing Promotion Study

 

Arising from discussion at the last NZNF Council meeting held at 'Rapere' Hawkes Bay a sub-committee of three was set up to carry out a marketing exercise for nudism in this country so that we may progress and develop in a coordinated way into the next century. This task is in the capable hands of Brent Thompson, our Promotions Officer assisted by Clive Hellyar of Wellington and Kevin Sampson of Marton.

 

Information on our current programmes and how the Federation, including the N Z Naturist, may fit into our future development is being studied. Assistance is being sought from professional marketing people. We have had an initial appraisal from some of the professional marketers approached and these are being studied so as to decide what the Federation should do next. It is hoped that we should put some of the ideas into operation later this year.

 

(An addendum by the typist; Progress in this work has been slower than expected, but on the basis of the responses from the experts the Federation may not need to do as much groundwork as was first thought and some time should be made up. The experts confirmed that what we had done over the last few years was in the right direction and that if this work is brought to a conclusion through the adoption of an updated image for nude recreation then we will be in a position to move forward with confidance.)

 

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Rally news

 

Join the 'Wild West Show' 28 Dec 93 - 3 Jan 94

 

The venue for this extravaganza is the Lake Downs Reservation where last time we did battle with the Indians. The Palmerston North Sun Club has been busy clearing the debris away from the last battle and feels confident that cowqirls and guys will enjoy a funfilled holiday on their land. Please note, however, that Bryan Stewart has taken over as the rally co-ordinator. Big Murray Nash has been transferred to the capital city. With Murray's move the mailing address for rally applications is now P.O. Box 980, Palmerston North. Bryan Stewart's telephone number is (06) 354 3049.

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Secretary's Corner

 

Club fees/charges survey. Proformas were sent to all club secretaries for details of the clubs' fee structures. Could all those club secretaries who have yet to reply please do so, then the details can be correlated. Thank you.

 

Why is the public perception that nude recreation relies on the presence and heat of the sun for its enjoyment such a problem? Simply because the Government is spending millions of dollars on a skin cancer campaign and old sol is getting a bad name for himself (or should I say himself/herself in these non—sexist times). Sunbathing is portrayed as a health threatening activity. We know that nudists have a lower than average rate of skin cancer but the public don't know that - we are trying to get this point across. By using the word 'sun' in the names of many of our clubs we are associating ourselves with a negative image. We need to break that association and the Federation is working on ways to develop a new image for nude recreation in New Zealand. However, because our resources are limited, especially in comparison with those of the skin-cancer campaign, we need to take all possible steps to break away from our public image as a sun dependent form of recreation. Hence the recommendation that clubs change their names. The Federation will be taking other Steps to change public attitudes but much of that effort will be wasted if clubs for nude recreation still identify themselves as 'sun clubs'.

 

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Appeal to Club Secretaries.

 

As the NZNF Archivist I have for the last few years kept a copy of each monthly newsletter issued by clubs. A lot of clubs have included me on their mailing list but I appeal to the following to add me to theirs; Hibiscus Coast, Wanganui, Nelson, Sth Canterbury, Alpine Lakes, and Southern Sun. Thank you. Please send them to Les Olsen, 43 Totaravale Drive, Glenfield, Auckland 10. Should any members of the above clubs have very early copies of their own club's newsletters I would be grateful for them on loan so that they may be copied for the Archive. Again many thanks.

 

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Change of Address

 

John Trotter the Supporter Secretary has now changed his postal address to P.O. Box 91, Ngaruawahia.

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40th Anniversary of the I.N.F.

 

New Zealand was one of the founder members of the International Nudist Federation when it was founded on 23 August 1953 at the Centre Heliomarin de Montalivet. At the wish of the Federation Francaise de Naturisme, the events for the 40th Jubilee will take place at the three sites, namely C.H.M. Montalivet, Gironde Dept and La Jenny. This jubilee will be held from 21-24 August 1993 and will include a reception at the Town Hall of Vendays - Montalivet, various sporting fixtures, an official dinner at a Chateau, and a ball at C.H.M. Anyone visiting Europe during the northern summer is invited to attend the functions but prior notice is advised. Concurrent with the Jubilee celebrations, Karl Dressen, INF Vice President, is to publish a "History of Naturism - Chronicle of the INF". We will advise you when this book is available.

 

Condolences.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of Jock Shoolbread (AOHC), Margaret Ashworth (Rotata), Mark Griffin (WOS), and Judi Williamson (H B S C ). These people will be sadly missed and we trust that those who have lost a loved one will draw strength from the knowledge that our thoughts are with them.

 

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The loo with a Flush.

 

As one enters the grounds of the Rotata Sun Club the natural way of life hits you between the eyes and ears. There are no radios blaring, no televisions. Peace and tranquility reign, due to the fact that all is natural with no electricity. That was how it was - now there is a noise which is alien to the natural way of life - the flushing of a loo!!! The impossible has been done. Probably too complicated to understand but Rotata is now the proud owner of a modern flushing toilet. Are congratulations in order, or is this new noise a break in the tradition of the preservation of wild life and nature?

 

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Let's have your thoughts.

 

An Editor may sit at a computer or typewriter and belt out pages of useless information from his or her own head or copy articles from other magazines. e.g. a water diet. This was not the reason for the birth of In-Touch. It was to give the members information from the NZNF personally, and for members to air their views to their fellow members and the executive, be they good, bad, or indifferent. This latter purpose is not being achieved. Surely with over 1500 members there must be some fresh ideas and comments to be thrown into this publication for all our benefit. So get thinking and help us keep nude recreation alive in New Zealand. For a starter lets have your thoughts on the next item.

 

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We should be promoting 'Clothes Free Recreation'

 

One of the ideas the marketing sub-committee is thinking seriously about is recommending to the NZNF that it should shift its efforts from promoting 'nudism' to marketing 'clothes free recreation'. For better or worse most New Zealanders associate nudity, and hence 'nudism', with sex - that nasty word. 'Clothes free recreation' denotes a freedom to be enjoyed. It describes what we do. It is positive. It gets away from the cultish concept we have been saddled with by the public. What do you think? Let us know by writing to me, The Editor, In-Touch, 108W Murdoch Road, Hastings. (06) 876 4860.

 

 

Waikato Outdoor Society have now sold the property at Corcoran Road, Pirongla, and members of other clubs are advised to contact the WOS Secretary or President for instructions on how to find the new grounds. It will be some time before the new grounds are developed sufficiently for club activities so you are advised to write or phone before you visit. Phone President Stan (07) 849 7064

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N.U.D.V.A.N. Club

 

On the 25th July 1992 a small club to be known as the Nudvan club was formed in the Bay of Plenty. We are a Special Interest Group involved in clubs within the nudist movement. Our aims are to enjoy nudity in good safe company and to develop new and wider friendships throughout N Z. We desire to visit other clubs from time to time and hopefully we will all benefit socially and financially from the experience. We aim to make wider friendships and develop a wider understanding of nude recreation. We are open to membership from people with like interests who wish to travel by Movan, Motorhome, or the like and have an interest in nudism. We hold club rallies at prearranged localities and follow the rules and guidelines as set out by the NZNF and associated clubs. Enquiries may be addressed to N.U.D.V.A.N. Club, 38, Waiewe Street, Whakatane.

 

Nudists. United. Driving. Vans. Anywhere. Naturally.

 

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What's in a name? - A lot

 

I would like to summarise here the reasoning which lead to the NZNF Council at its recent meeting passing a recommendation that clubs with the word 'sun' in their name should change their name to something more in keeping with todays public attitudes.

 

Association with the sun has served nude recreation well in the past. From its origins in the colder northern hemisphere countries, nudism with its emphasis on exposing the body to fresh air and sunshine could point to health benefits. The idea of sunbathing was something the public could identify with and it is possible that without this identification nudism may not have received sufficient social acceptance to survive. Sunbathing gave nudism a foundation that protected it from much of the suspicion, ridicule and persecution that came its way. Secrecy surrounding nudist clubs was also partly to blame for the public suspicions.

 

We all know, of course, that sunbathing is not the primary reason why nude recreation is so enjoyable. Only 20%. of NZ club members named sunbathing as an activity they enjoyed at their club. BUT the public perception is that we are called sun clubs because we sunbathe and some people think we almost worship the sun. And in public relations as in politics it is the perception that matters not the reality, it is how we are perceived publicly that influences how successful we are in recruiting new members.