# 146 - September 1993 

Almost everybody cares at least a little bit about what other people think. We'd like to be popular; we tend not to want to let it be known that we hold any controversial beliefs, whether political, social or esthetic.

As nudist/naturists, we may feel reluctant to let others know of our recreational habits. From childhood, we have been immersed in a culture which treats social nudity as either a hideous perversion or as something hilarious. Most of us conceal it from at least some of our acquaintances or relatives.

This presents many of us single naturists with a special problem: after we meet someone special, when should we tell her (or him) about our dislike for unnecessary clothing (most of us will at least consider a relationship with a non-nudist). What about our casual friends? Co-workers? Relatives?

Although there are many people who don't agree with our philosophies, I think that far fewer people are actually offended than we actually expect. I have come by this conclusion because I have to include nudism in my work.

I'm a free-lance photographer. Most of my customers hire me to take portraits, and about one-quarter to one-third want to include a few poses in the nude or in lingerie. Recognizing this, my portfolio includes several nudes.

Courtesy helps. Before I show the portfolio to a potential customer, I warn him or her about the nudity. I offer to temporarily remove the nudes if the customer is offended, but nobody has ever asked me to do so!

Even when I am talking to someone whom I think is unlikely to be accepting of nudity, there seems to be no problem. Some people are surprised at a full-length male nude, as it seems that the general belief is that nudes are female. Particularly when the viewer is a friend, the realisation that the male nude is a self-portrait is an additional surprise.

To those who are curious I explain that I don't ask my models to do something which I wouldn't do myself. I try to add, if the atmosphere and opportunity are right, that I'm a Naturist, and that nudity - my own or that of others - doesn't bother me.

That's started a lot of conversations about nudism, and none of my friends has ever shunned me after learning of my beliefs. Some plainly don't agree, but I haven't yet run into anybody who felt a need to call me to repent for my "sins". (I'm ready if I do - I decided when I started taking this approach not to back down if somebody else got rude.)

I've also encountered reasonable attitudes in my private life. It turns out that people also don't seem to be as readily offended by actual nudity as I thought. My ex-girlfriend and I had a habit of driving into the woods, well away from towns and homes, and leaving our clothes in the car while we went on "nature walks". One time we suddenly met a man and a woman and their three young children. The parents were startled but they quickly relaxed. Their kids, ranging in age from about five to twelve, were distracted at first, but soon they were playing with each other and ignoring us as we talked with their parents.

Considering the heat I think we were more appropriately dressed. After about ten or fifteen minutes, we went our separate ways, and the couple and their kids seemed to be completely unruffled by our nudity.

We also went on nude picnics with some of our co-workers and I doubt that anyone with whom we worked were unaware of how seldom we wore our clothes when it wasn't necessary. We certainly didn't wear clothes at home, even when receiving visitors, and the pictures on the walls included nudes of the two of us. Neither of us owned swimsuits, although we went swimming whenever we could.

Naturally, not everybody will be willing or able to be open about nudism. Perhaps you have a boss who has a strong "moral code" or maybe your dear old grandmother would be absolutely mortified. We all have to make our own decision based on our individual circumstances, but we often have less to fear than we may think.

Eventually, I hope, public nudity will be no more disturbing to the average citizen than a bikini is today. There are people still living today who can remember when shirtless men and bare legs were shocking; although progress has been largely stalled in North America since the early 1960s, it looks like toplessness and co-ed nudity are gradually becoming more acceptable. When that happens, it won't be a big deal to be a nudist, but, until then, some of us will have to be bold.

So make it easier on yourself. Invite a friend to go skinny-dipping with you next summer.

By Steve Graham

A visitor to New Zealand gave me a graphic story of events, during his visit to Mapua about nine years ago. He wrote the following account to me and I shall use his actual description of this rather amusing but factual demonstration, of the power a small strip of clothing has over the mind of man, or boy.

A nude group of several adults, including my friend and three girls, whose approximate ages he said would have been ten, eleven and twelve, were having an enjoyable time in the spa pool!

Two boys were expected after they had checked out the flying fox, and their voices were heard as they approached.

"At that point the eldest girl got out and put on her knickers, then came back to sit on the edge of the spa, dangling her legs nonchalantly in the water. Then the two boys arrived, and they still had their clothes on. Ages? Oh, about eleven and thirteen. The younger was a typical kid, medium build, dark; the other had dark curly hair, olive complexion, and a perfectly proportioned face. They removed all their clothes and I realised the elder boy had the physique to match his perfect features, he looked like a film star.

You could tell he was maturing well. He wasn't at all shy, and sat on the edge and dangled his legs like the girl in her knickers, opposite.

It was refreshing to see a young adolescent boy so comfortable with his body; heaven knows he had no reason for self-consciousness.

I could see now why the three girls had been impatient, even irritable, while waiting for their arrival! Boy, did they respond to this Adonis in their midst. Shrieks and giggles; and whenever he spoke they listened in breathless wide-eyed awe.

The two younger girls kept breaking in on each other, vying for his attention and trying to cut each other out.

In fact, the other adults and I were totally ignored.

"Why are you wearing your briefs?" the boy asked. He was speaking to the girl on the edge, but the other two took it as if he was asking them personally. They stood up together to demonstrate their nudity.

"I'm not, I'm naked," said the younger and having got the boys' attention she climbed up onto the edge of the spa and sat with a leg on each side.

"You're not allowed to wear anything in here so she shouldn't be in here at all," this lass chimed in. Realising that he wasn't listening, that he had been side-tracked by the youngest girl, the other then climbed out and sat in an even more unladylike position.

"She will have to take them off or get kicked out," she continued spitefully. Both of course, were referring to the girl sitting on the edge in her knickers.

"I don't think so!" smiled the girl in question. "I can wear them as much as I like, I'll just wear them where nobody can see them. Like this." Suiting action to words she jumped back into the spa and stood up in the deep part in the middle, where people put their feet.

Rather slowly then she proceeded to push down the waistband until the elastic was exactly level with the water level.

The boy they had all been showing off to, had been sitting on the bricks along the edge completely unresponsive while the two younger girls had nearly dislocated their hip-joints showing off their all. Then the eldest girl only had to show the tiniest smidgen of her private parts from underneath a bit of cloth, when suddenly the lad had the urge to get completely into the pool, "covering" himself with water up to his neck.

Not having completely forgotten what it feels like to be thirteen years old, I can guess why he had to jump down in a hurry.

Eventually of course, this girl's knickers came off and we all stayed naked and natural for the rest of the session. But for several minutes she had held everybody's attention, especially the teenage boy who had taken a lot more notice of her with her tiny "abbreviated" knickers. The girl knew what all adults realise, that what's hidden arouses interest, but once it's all out in the open, initial curiosity soon wears off.

Then, nude bodies are aesthetically pleasing and not sexually stimulating."

- John Trotter

I was first introduced to nudism at the age of 35. I often wonder how my life would have been different if it happened 20 years earlier.

I am a New Zealander who grew up in a very traditional New Zealand family. Nudity was rarely mentioned, never practiced. It wasn't so much that nudity was considered bad or sinful; it just wasn't the done thing. I had a few skinny-dipping experiences as a child, but always late at night.

Late 1985 I attended a camp, with a number of other friends from Auckland. One day we took a walk to one of the beaches on the East Coast. As we made our way down the steep trail and emerged on the beach, I was confronted with naked bodies of all ages and sexes. The first thing that struck me was not that all these people were naked, but that it didn't bother me at all.

We found a spot near the back of the beach and somewhat isolated from the other sunbathers. My friend immediately took off his clothes (he had been there often before). It took me a little longer. I had no trouble as long as I knew no one else was watching.

I lay there for a while, just soaking up the sun and getting used to the new feeling of total nakedness out in the open. My friend walked down to the water, and a few minutes later I got up the courage to stand up and follow him. I was a little nervous during the walk down to the water, and admit that I sneaked a few looks at the other men there to see how I compared. But it was soon obvious that there were so many sizes and shapes that none could be called typical.

Once in the water, I had an experience of freedom that I had never felt before. By the time I got out, I had no trouble walking back to our place and later walking the whole length of the beach and back.

Later in the week I returned myself. As I was walking down the beach, I saw my friend and his wife walking toward me hand in hand, totally naked. That was the first time I began to get an inkling of what it must be like to live a natural, nudist lifestyle (as opposed to an occasional visit to a nude beach or resort). Also on the beach I encountered several people whose faces I recognised from the camp. After that experience, I kept looking for ways to practice my new-found freedom. The rest, as they say is history.

I visit the park several times a week during the summer. Fortunately, I am only twenty minutes away, so often I can arrange my day to get my work done in the morning and run out there for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Virtually every weekend, weather permitting, is spent there. At home, I often shed my clothes as soon as I walk in the house. (I could never stand wearing shoes in the house, so perhaps I was a closet nudist all along).

The only problem I have found is that I can no longer stand to swim with anything on, and, in fact, will often forego the swim rather than don a suit. Even in the winter I find it difficult to go to the local pool.

But that's a small price to pay. Nothing I have experienced in my life has given me a greater feeling of freedom and oneness with nature than nudism. I thank God that I found that freedom, late in life though it was.

And when I look at the children at the park and their total acceptance of their own bodies and all the bodies around them, I thank God that they will never know the absence of that freedom.

- Jacob Creek

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

My parents considered any part of the human body indecent except for the head and hands. This resulted in a very puritanical home atmosphere that only served to make me extremely preoccupied with and curious about the human body. After all it's human nature to want to see or do that which we're not supposed to see or do.

Fortunately, I was more familiar with libraries than magazine racks so the major way I filled this curiosity was by looking at nude art and photography books in the city library. Then one day when I was in University I went to the library and discovered nudism in the card catalogue, while looking up nude art.

Curious, I went to look for the books which turned out to be a shelf full of old (late 30's, early 40's) nudist magazines. At first I just looked at them there, then I got brave and started checking them out and sneaking them home to read. The wholesome attitudes toward, and respect for, the human body that it seemed the nudists had made a lot more sense to me than attitudes of my parents or society in general, which equates nude with lewd. These attitudes also better fit my understanding of God and the Bible.

From that time on I looked forward to the time I could visit a nudist club. That day came several years later when I had joined the Air Force and was stationed far from home. Mid-spring I made arrangements to visit a club.

Even though I had read a lot of nudist literature I was still quite nervous and unsure due to the influence of attitudes in the home and church I was raised in, the attitudes in society that nudity = sex, and the fact that I was a young single male with a healthy libido who had never been naked around the opposite sex before. So I was looking forward to having a pool of nice cold water to jump in, should the need arise. (Pun intended.) But shortly after I found out that it was pool cleaning weekend! When I got to the club the only thing in the pool was about a foot of muck at the bottom!

So my first nudist experience was cleaning the pool - and having a great weekend and lots of fun with some great people. That weekend I went from years of believing that social nudity could be natural, wholesome and freeing; to experiencing that indeed it was... In fact, it was so natural that the need to cool off never arose and I've enjoyed the freedom of social as well as non-social nudity ever since. God says that everything He made is very good, Gen. 1:31 (which makes sense because He wouldn't create anything bad), and that everything is pure, Tit. 1:15. So I know that God would prefer respect and accept the human body, rather than fall for the lie of indecency and shame: as a man thinks so he is.

- Angela Smith

WHY WOMEN
WON'T JOIN!

Children who grow up the naturist way are surely less likely to suffer from the hangups which cause so many problems in our lives.

Boys who grow up seeing real women are less likely to turn to the distorted fantasies of pornography. Girls who grow up seeing men's bodies, and accepting their own, are less likely to fear men or to allow themselves to be manipulated and abused. Teenage girls can be so vulnerable if left afraid of their own and men's sexuality. A girl brought up in a naturist's family may still become shy about her body at puberty, but she'll be better prepared to cope with the troubled teen years than her textile peers.

If the naturist movement wishes to attract women, it must not only promote the benefits, but must also be prepared to dispel our fears. However irrational these fears may seem, they are real barriers to enjoying naturism. I'm just very glad I finally overcame mine!

By Linda Peirson
reprinted from British Naturism

Women represent 51 per cent of the population but it's always the single men who seem to be ever agitating to be allowed into naturist assemblies. It's all wrong, concludes the author as she looks at the reason why individual women seem to take a less prominent role in the sun-loving world. How, she asks, would I go about 'selling' naturism to them?

Perhaps one of the biggest barriers for women is our feelings about our own bodies. Men are also often dissatisfied with their bodies, but it is mainly women who spend money on diets, cosmetics, hair products, etc, all designed to change the way we look. A women's appearance tends to be seen as her most important characteristic, while for men good looks come second to features like a good job and interesting personality.

Small wonder, then, that most women want to conceal their bodies, which differ so much from media ideal. Naturism can do much to challenge this ideal. One thing I love about naturism is the variety of body sizes, shapes and textures. If I can enjoy the appearance of other people, who maybe older or fatter than me, how can I not appreciate my own body?

British Naturism does good work showing that naturism is for all people, including those with wrinkles, scars or rolls of flesh. This one is way of overcoming women's embarrassment concerning their own bodies. It took me considerable courage to bare all in public the first time, but once it was done, I experienced a wonderful feeling of freedom, and relief that I no longer had to worry about whether I was wearing the 'right' clothes!

Another factor which may inhibit women is fear of sexual harassment. Society imposes a double bind if we are unattractive, we are devalued as women, and if we are too attractive, we are blamed for male behaviour towards us, however unwelcome. Sadly, many people believe that for a woman to remove her clothes in public is to invite rape, and this can influence women's attitudes to naturism. I can remember how vulnerable I felt the first time my partner and I stripped off on a naturist beach.

Two things encouraged me to take that initial step. One was the element of choice. Knowing that it was OK to dress again at any time if I felt uncomfortable made it easier for me to take the risk. The other important influence was the emphasis on couples. Knowing that many clubs don't allow single men reduced my fear of being leered at and pounced upon. And that first day on the beach, the presence nearby of a family was very reassuring.

If naturism is so difficult for women, why do we bother? Well, the benefits must be familiar to most readers. On a social level, I believe the growth of the naturist movement will lead to an improvement in all women's lives.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen   

HOW TO RECRUIT
SINGLE WOMEN

Single women cannot be expected to shed years of social conditioning against nudity overnight. We need to show them the positive aspects of nude recreation and be patient while we do it.

Because single women will feel much more comfortable taking the initial plunge into nude recreation with a couple than a single male, it is up to couples to recruit single women and help remove the imbalance among singles. Recruiting single women takes time and patience. Expect a negative "I could never do that," the first time you even mention it to a single women friend, and even most couples. While not everyone is willing to try nude recreation, the initial negative reaction with some will soon give way, first to curiosity, then to a desire to try it, and finally to the enjoyment that we all feel in nude recreation.

- Jacob Creek

During this summer, we have been fortunate enough to introduce two single women and one couple to nudism, and can say that the Buddy System does work.

When we have asked friends if they would be interested in going along to the club or a spa party, their initial reaction is usually one of dumbfounded disbelief at our nudist activities. At get-togethers with friends, we continued to mention our plans for attending different activities, not in an overly persistent way, but just by mentioning that we were planning trips to Oranui over the summer and asked if anyone wanted to go along. When one of our single women friends finally said yes, two others immediately said yes also.

In our opinion, the best way to introduce single women to nudism is to have them accompany a couple to a clothing optional location. By far, a clothing optional beach is the best bet for this area. After initially saying yes, as the time approached for the weekends at the beach, the women would continue to ask "Now we don't have to go nude if we don't want to?" to which we would constantly reassure them that they would not be forced to do anything they didn't want to do.

We took a three day weekend in February with one of the singles going with us on Friday, and the others meeting us on Saturday morning. On Friday our one friend did not remove her bikini, but we made up our minds not to press her participation, and never mentioned that she kept it on. When Saturday arrived and both singles were with us, they both removed their suits early on and enjoyed both days without tan lines and surprising even to us with little or no anxiety. After this weekend both were excited and could not wait for the weekends in March when we again returned.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen

They even mentioned to us how awful it felt when they had to wear their suits at the beach.

Prior to our March weekend, the one single invited another couple along with us, and the couple also enjoyed the beach and will very likely be joining our club very soon. We are going to encourage the single women to go to a winter spa party with us, but again, the key is not to be pushy if they say no. Not only should we work to involve single women, but they also can be a resource to invite their friends, single or couples, to nude recreation.

I.N.F.

NEWS

Minority and Majority

- A Human Paradox

What a paradox! The second we are born, we become a contradiction. We are a majority. We are a minority."

A newborn black baby on the African continent is part of a majority. In Australia this infant would be part of a visible minority. However, in Africa your chances of reaching the living standard of first-world countries are remote. So you are back to being a minority. If you happen to be Jewish in Israel, count yourself as part of the majority. As a butcher that sells pork, you might find yourself in the minority. As a mother, the majority is on your side. If you are a female astronaut, you have very few female colleagues in the same profession.

Nakedness on the beaches in the south of France barely raises an eyebrow. In Toronto it raises the wrath of elected municipal officials. In Quebec, a marriage is performed while everyone is nude - bride, groom, wedding party and minister. At the other end of the continent, in Washington state, a tiny isolated naturist beach is fighting for survival as elected officials are asked to reconsider clothing-optional usage on the grounds of indecent exposure, and to question the morality of social nudity.

Everything we do in life is relative - relative to something or someone - someone else's sense of freedom, beauty, ethics or morals.

Where do our rights end? Where do the other's rights start? It is precisely the crossing of this non-existent demarcation line which causes all the problems.

Nudity in a social setting has undergone many transformations over the years. The trend is likely to continue. We must accept our minds are open and closed to various degrees. The challenge is to put ourselves into the mind set of others, to try to see what they see, feel what they feel, to try to understand their objections and fears. Only then, are we in a position to formulate our response intelligently and with empathy.

At birth we become a statistic. We are slotted into cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, economic, and sexual compartments that we sometimes rebelliously break out of what we have comfortably settled into. Categorization will not go away. Nor should it. It helps us to describe, to communicate. Differences should be celebrated. And at the very least, differences should be accepted and respected.

As the twentieth century draws to a close, we are leaving the industrial age behind and entering one of high technology. High-speed and high-volume information interchange becomes the way of the majority with corporate and political leaders.

The media mercilessly bombards us with information, some is disgustingly void of value. It leaves us overwhelmed. We run the risk of acting before thinking. But thinking is necessary to preserve valuable and mutually beneficial human interaction.

Strategic alliances are being sought between corporations and countries. There is strength in numbers. There is security in a group. Forty years ago, when the first small group of naturists with an international vision formed the INF on French soil, social nudity was practised by a small minority. The INF now counts 30 countries among its members - much bigger, but still a minority. But more are being added, as naturist momentum reaches critical mass.

We all have a role to play in the advancement of "a way of life in harmony with nature characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of encouraging self-respect for others and the environment." But we must first understand that we are part of a majority and minority at the same time.

Petra Scheller

- I. N. F.

THE KIWI

EXPERIENCE

by John Sharp

The world is gradually becoming smaller (metaphorically speaking) as the use of wide bodied jet aircraft has brought the cost of travel down in real terms. My wife and I said we would visit New Zealand on our retirement. Sadly Eileen died last year and I made the journey alone to the other side of the world this February. One of our worst months in Britain but in New Zealand this is still summertime.

The two islands of New Zealand are scenically and climatically different. The South Island is mainly mountainous, many permanently ice capped. Glaciers feed rivers which fan out across the Canterbury Plains. The North Island is less mountainous but warmer verging on the sub tropical in the Far North. Known for its geothermal activity and slumbering volcanoes. Overall New Zealand enjoys a temperate climate. Remember to pack that umbrella.

Approximately the same size as the UK, New Zealand has a population of 3.5 million (32 sq.m.) compared with a UK population of 55 million (586 sq.m.) This is evident in the peaceful unhurried way of life and the quiet temperament of the people. New Zealanders are justly proud of their beautiful scenic country and has much to offer Visitors who enjoy the outdoor life. Naturists included. There are thirteen Sun Clubs on the North Island and six on the South Island.

Where possible I preferred to stay with fellow Naturists and wrote to the Secretaries of the Clubs in the areas I was interested in visiting (enclosing two international reply coupons). My stay in New Zealand was for four weeks and I limited my tour to the northern half of the North Island.

In the planning stage I considered hiring a campervan thus combining accommodation and transport. However the cost of £54/day (364/wk) was prohibitive, particularly for one person. Having travelled so far, New Zealand is not a country to be rushed. Therefore accommodation costs are a consideration in most holiday budgets.

As it turned out accommodation costs in New Zealand can be very reasonable. Most Naturist Clubs have limited accommodation for hire at a modest cost (p.4-8/night) although the standard does vary. The welcome and friendship would make this the first choice for most Naturists.

In areas where Naturist Clubs do not exist then backpackers hostels are becoming increasingly popular. They offer low cost clean accommodation in single, twin bedded rooms or dormitories at a cost of between £4-6/night/person. Bed linen is available at extra charge. Similar to youth hostels but without membership fees and are used by travellers of all ages, although the young predominate. Each hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities.

For two or more people travelling together then camping cabins in the many excellent holiday parks are worth considering as they are equipped with cooking facilities. En suite cabins also include their own shower and toilets Cost between £12-14 for two people/night. Motels cost typically £21 for two people/night. Other costs - petrol 33p./litre shopping basket approximately 15% less.

AUCKLAND

So it was with the planning completed I landed in sunny Auckland after a 13 hour flight from Los Angeles where I had been staying with my daughter.

Collected the hire car at the leisure port and drove into busy Auckland and the unfamiliar town names on the destination road signs. A quarter of the New Zealand population live in Auckland a vast modern city sitting on an isthmus between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Like us the New Zealanders drive on the left.

My destination was Henderson the home town of the Auckland Outdoor Health Club. A large Naturist Club with immaculately kept grounds and facilities. There are chalets and caravans for hire. The club is well positioned to visit the city of Auckland and surrounding district. This is where the Clubs score, members are pleased to advise and help. What is the best route into Auckland? Where to park? No problem - follow the motorway signs to Nelson Street and park in the underground car park at Aotea Square adjacent the Tourist Information Centre. In New Zealand you are never far from a Tourist Information Centre.

It was here that a helpful assistant suggested the marked walk from coast to coast across the isthmus. Timed to take four hours, I took six. Fine views across the city and bays from extinct volcanoes and points of interest easily delayed my progress. Soaking up the atmosphere and detail which is easily missed from a car or coach, one felt one's self drifting. Back to an England more than fifty years ago. Not an unpleasant experience. School children in school uniform, dallying to watch two serious games of croquet being played by ladies and gentlemen in pristine whites. Stopping for a cup of tea in Auckland Domain Park cafe I was to discover throughout my stay in New Zealand, that tea is served in the old style whatever the establishment.

Normally a choice of teas and always in a teapot plus a jug of hot water. Perhaps this goes someway to compensate for the lack of good public houses in New Zealand.

Auckland is a cultural city with a Civic Theatre, Museum, Art Gallery and landscaped parks. I was to return to Auckland twice during the holiday and still left many points of interest in Auckland and adjacent islands unseen. A good base for coach trips.

Back at the club, members were gathered within their newly constructed barbeque and dining area. On impulse I had bought lamb and apricot sausages. Yes, apricots, adding fruit puree into the sausage mix is popular here. Could I interest you in beef & plum?

Over our meal we compared naturism in the two hemispheres. Much is very similar but there were a few surprises. For me it was that the New Zealand magazine is sold openly in some shops. They are resigned to the fact, as much as they complain, that their magazine is put on the top shelf with the other publications that treat nudity in a different light. For them it was, that in the UK, it's not necessary to belong to a club to obtain an INF card. One committee member said they frowned on people joining a club just to obtain an INF card.

Article photos: Les Olsen

The Bay of Islands is a jewel. With more than 100 islands, many coves, marked walks and waterfalls, small boats leave the quay daily to game fish marlin, shark and swordfish. It is in this bay that the first British settled in the early 1800's. Across the bay from Paihia is Russell, the first capital of New Zealand. Much of Russell's Victorian atmosphere is evident. It was from here that I took a day cruise on the Tall Ship the R. Tucker Thompson and was transported back 150 years. In time as the sails caught the light breeze. Before leaving the quay we were warned about the strength of the sun. New Zealand and Australia have the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. The ozone layer is thinner here than in the Northern Hemisphere. The chemists recommend a Factor 15 sun cream as a minimum. Many Naturists wear floppy wide brimmed hats, a sensible precaution.

The scenic Bay of Islands is steeped in history. It was here in 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the first of over 500 Maori chiefs to cede their sovereignty to Queen Victoria. The sense of history pervades the Treaty House and grounds is not to be missed. The Maoris are a friendly race and well integrated into New Zealand society and equal in every way to the whites. But it is noticeable that a higher proportion are in the unskilled jobs and are separated more by poverty than colour.

After three days took route 12 to Opononi. It was here that Opo the dolphin became famous for coming up the estuary from the sea to give rides to the children. But the real reason for travelling to the West Coast was to see some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. These magnificent Kauri trees have an enormous girth (up to 13 metes) and unusually grow parallel trunks. Some specimens are 2000 years old. Much of Northland was covered in forest but unchecked exploitation has reduced it to its present size and now protected by law. An excellent rural Museum at Paparoa depicts those early pioneer days of forestry work.

Back to Auckland for a few days before heading south on Route 1.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen

LAKE TAUPO

Lake Taupo is in the centre of the North Island. Nestled deep inside the folding hills 30km north of Taupo is the Rotota Sun Club. This 10 year old club has few obvious boundaries and you can walk for miles in club uniform in the surrounding hills. The club house has an idyllic view across Lake Ohakuri to the hills beyond. Rotota is a back to nature club. There is no power or refrigeration and has what is euphemistically called long drop toilets. There are two basic caravans for hire at a modest cost. A wood burning stove in the club house supplies ample hot water.

In the world of naturism Rotota is unique, a one off. Why? Well after being shown around the immediate site Ken took a small path into the woods. Our short walk led us to a stream tumbling down the hillside. At a waterfall Ken said this spot was ideal for a bathe. He slipped easily into and under the fall.

I remained steadfastly on the bank expressionless - no way was I going to dunk my precious body in a cold mountain stream. With some enticing from Ken I knelt down and dangled a reluctant hand in the water. Unbelievable but true the water was very warm almost hot. Further down the hill we bathed in a sun dappled pool.

The warm waters flowing by and over the next fall.

On the hill top above the club grounds can be found an area potted with large and small holes billowing out steam. This area of New Zealand is endowed with awesome geothermal reserves.

I took the opportunity to have a guided tour around one of the most modern geothermal power stations in the world. Bores sunk 1200m into the geothermal field release water (80%) and steam (20%) at l80psi and 193°C travelling up to 100mph. Cyclone separation plants remove the water and contaminates allowing the dry steam to go on to drive the turbine / generators. Waste and condensed water is reinjected back into the ground. Very impressive.

Besides the lake there are many walks in the vicinity of Taupo. After one walk I sat at Cherry Island having my now customary daily tea and muffin. Two hundred yards away up the gorge they were bungy jumping. For those not familiar with this sport; in simplistic terms you go to the highest point. In this case a gantry overhanging the gorge. You take some 50 metres of knicker elastic and tie one end to the gantry and the other end to your ankles and dive off into space.

After yo-yoing up and down a number of times you are lowered into an inflatable dinghy waiting in the river below. Taken ashore and driven to the nearest lunatic asylum. Intrigued I drove to the top of the gorge to investigate. Looking over the balustrade to the river below my hands became suddenly clammy.

'Would you like an experience of a lifetime?' said a voice behind.

'How much?'

'$85' (£28).

'I wouldn't do it for less than $120.'

'No sir you pay us!'

Instead I went white water rafting on the Tongariro River. Wetsuits, life jackets and helmets are provided. You become an active member of a team paddling the inflatable raft under the instruction of the trained helmsman/guide. Superb scenery with the added excitement of riding the rapids. 'Hold on' came the instruction. Too late for one of our crew as she disappeared overboard into and under the foaming water. Fortunately she remembered our earlier safety instructions and held onto the paddle so one of the crew could grab the end. For 50m or so we struggled to pull her back on board to lay gasping on the bottom of the raft. Just a few bruises and we continued our two hour journey down the gorge.

GISBORNE

Leaving Rotota I took the scenic Route 38 through the Urewera National Park and passed beautiful Lake Waikaremoana. This road is an engineering feat and includes 120km (80 miles) of winding, tortuous unmettled road which needs continuous driving concentration over the full length. One lapse and at a critical point and speed the granite chips would turn to marbles and the back wheels would decide they would prefer to lead rather than follow the front wheels. How do I know? Don't ask, just take my word!

As with all the Sun Clubs I was made very welcome at the Gisborne Country Club by Colin and Shirley. Physically different from the previous two clubs. Just one acre of land but giving the impression of space and a club many times this size.

Photo: Les Olsen

Well appointed and maintained club facilities. A modern caravan for hire. An ideal base to explore the surrounding area.

Gisborne is historically significant as this is where Captain Cook first landed in October 1769. A monument marks the spot, 55km up the coast you can mix an unspoiled beach with history. The Cooks Cove walkway is surely a favourite. The 45 mm walk starts with an unusual notice 'Beware of bombing magpies (take a stick)'

Walking over Titiranga Hill you get a breathtaking view of the quiet Cooks Cove. Here in the cove the Endeavour anchored for six days being repaired, taking on water and supplies. Little if anything has changed 223 years. It is easy to visualize the long boats plying back and forwards in the shallow waters.

Strip off and have a swim. A naturist beach? Well yes and no. For many years naturism on New Zealand beaches was neither legal or illegal.

Recently this has changed after a test case brought by the Police. The law courts ruled that New Zealand law differentiates between the nakedness of a Naturist and the exposure of a pervert. The act of removing one's clothes is not in itself provocative. The judgement protects the right to sun bathe nude in places 'where it is not uncommon for persons to sun bathe nude This enlightened approach has meant that the majority of New Zealand beaches are free to be used by naturists. Although as the active 'Free Beach Group' sensibly recommend that due courtesy and consideration should be given to other users of the beach at all times. I wonder if his honour would like to come and practice in the UK for a while?

BAY OF PLENTY

Leaving Gisborne on Route 2 to pass through scenic river Waioeka Gorge to Whakatane. Thence onto Matata where the Bay of Plenty Sun Club is situated. Good timing, a kettle was on the boil for tea. Well appointed new club house surrounded by banks of flowers grown by the keen gardeners who also grow their own produce on one of the several terraces. Ian dug up some fresh vegetables for the barbecue that night. Enjoyed my first dip in a hot tub. After we had been suitably 'lobstered' Phil and Dawn took us into the night to see a myriad of glowworms which inhabit the trees overhanging the stream. The whole bank seemed to be alight with miniature lanterns.

The Club has one modern caravan for hire. An ideal base to explore the triangle of towns of Tauranga, Whakatane and Rotorua. Nearly every visitor to New Zealand has Rotorua and surrounding area on their itinerary to see the Geysers and bubbling hot mud pools. Consequently some of the natural wonders have been overshadowed by the commercial need to process so many people through the attractions.

With only two days here I could only sample a few of the many possibilities in the Bay of Plenty. There is a super naturist beach at Papamoa. Many outdoor activities on land or water and places to visit. This is forest and fruit growing country. Kiwifruit were first grown successfully here on a large scale as a change. I visited the Tasman Paper Company for a guided tour. Following the process through from debarking the incoming logs to the finished paper products, mostly destined for export.

Next stop Hamilton.

HAMILTON (Waikato Valley)

A few miles south west of Hamilton is the Waikato Outdoor Society. Until recently a 50 acre Sun Club perched high up on the Pirongia Hills. Members claim with justification that this is the club with the million dollar view. From the club's sun deck there are magnificent views across the Waikato Valley to Hamilton. At night the lights of Hamilton twinkle like ships on the horizon. A new modern club house, with good facilities, replaces the previous club house which burnt down.

When I was there they had one spacious but basic hut for sleeping only, no heating. Miniten players should bring a thug for some good games against keen players. Thanks lads.

This is fine walking country. Just above the club a one hour gentle climb starts to the top of Ruapane 723 metres above sea level. The main attraction to this area is the world famous glow worm caves at Waitomo. With 250,000 visitors a year it is very commercialised and I personally found it disappointing but then I had been to the Bay of Plenty club. There is ample compensation in the Waitomo Reserves, worthwhile museum, walk at Ruakuri and Aranui caves, natural limestone bridge at Mangapohue and impressive falls at Marokopia and many other walks. There is blackwater rafting i.e. rafting in underground caves. Armed with a good torch and stout shoes I climbed down the Piripiri Caves to view 30 million year old giant fossil oysters. Don't go alone, it is a steep climb down and slippery. Failing that, wait 10 years when they will have steps, turnstiles and a car park. Hello, do I detect a touch of cynicism.

Too soon however it was time to return to Auckland and leave New Zealand. Four weeks was not sufficient time -just a taste. I have already decided to return to New Zealand on the other side of this shrinking world.

Editor's Note: Waikato Outdoor Society have recently sold the Pirongia site for one nearer the city currently being developed.

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC.

We recently held our annual mid winter Xmas Party and a fun time was had by the one hundred and thirty souls who attended.

This year we were brave enough to get in outside catering staff to prepare and serve the meal and like our own efforts of the past, the meal was of a very high standard.

Light entertainment was provided by the "Oranui Players" - a team of theatrical misfits - who put on a fine rendition of "Cinderella" to the amazement of the entrapped audience to a chorus of cat calls and whistles the boys who would be girls and girls who would be boys finally found the last resting place for poor 'Cinders' slipper (um, gumboot) and departed the scene to thankful applause.

We look forward with trepidation to the next outing of 'Oranui Players' hopefully some time in the distant future.

Seriously though we do admire the efforts of those prepared to 'have a go'. Thank you for a wonderful night's entertainment.

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

The mid-year Christmas Party was well attended, and, as usual, was marked with an excess of superbly cooked and well presented seasonal fare. Thanks to the efforts of two of our most capable ladies. It must be stated that the car park was more suited for Easter than Christmas. The bulldozer had left the car park a bit muddy so the enterprising spouses of our erstwhile cooks spread nikau palm fronds on the more tacky bits so that all the guests could keep their shoes clean. A rather young Santa dispersed gifts to everyone later in the evening.

Loads of fill have been delivered and placed in position for the slowly progressing ring road. However, there is the occasional flurry of wheelbarrows as some of the more suitable material is removed to other areas to be used as paving for the B.B.Q. and paths that are under construction.

Almost everyday will see some member working in the clubhouse or around the grounds. Installing one thing or another or maintaining something else. The spa and sauna are both now up and running and are proving quite popular both to our own members and to other clubs as well. Now the passage way down the stairs is being given a renovation. Complete with new lights, two-way switches and all those fiddley bits of wood that carpenters seem to love to put round to use up all the nails they have left over. Then a couple of coats of paint and on with the next job.

The flax beside the swimming pool has been removed. This will be replaced with some more attractive and easier managed flora. But some of the fauna visiting the flax will be missed. The Tuis sadly, but the Wetas gladly. In other areas lots of bushes have already been planted to replace the bamboo that had got out of hand.

At the A.G.M. a rule was passed to ban smoking in the club house. Most people accept this as keeping up with the modern trend of health and hygiene. Sand boxes have been constructed to be placed around the grounds for the disposal of smokers' debris.

HIBISCUS COAST SUN CLUB

It has been a struggle, but after 20 years the land and everything on it IS OURS! Our trees have grown tall, and the grounds have changed a lot from those early years, but there is still much to be done, and we owe a lot to those early pioneers who worked so hard that we can enjoy what we have today. Watch for exciting developments over the next 20 years!

We held a successful Club garage sale, which raised a few more hundred dollars, which thankfully did not have to be used to reduce the mortgage this year. Our chefs excelled themselves preparing a fabulous Mid-year Christmas Dinner held in the clubhouse. A good time was had by all.

After many years of organising the swim nights at Helensville we are moving up the road, and up market. Same night but new times of 6 p.m. to midnight at Palm Springs Pools, Parakai. Camp sites and accommodation is available nearby. Palm Springs has three pools, three spa pools, and a barbeque area, plus a restaurant and takeaway bar. Inquiries (09) 525-6067. Pay us a visit at the club or at Palm Springs pools - you will be very welcome.

Best wishes from "Kirikau".

ROTOTA SUN CLUB

Sunday, 11 July, and I have just returned from a glorious winter weekend at ROTOTA.

Saturday was clear, sunny sky with cool breeze - ideal for digging a new rubbish hole. I found a sheltered spot by the clubhouse and spent two hours in club uniform in the sun, reading a book. No guilt feelings at all! Serious relaxation here.

Letter to

the Editor

Dear Naturist Friends,

Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We're a married couple, age early thirties with two little children. For about a decade, we've been members of the Belgian Naturist Club Athena.

We're looking for like-minded couples of about our age to become penfriends. It seems a bit difficult to get in touch with such people abroad, so we wonder if there are any members of your naturist club who would be interested. Maybe you publish a magazine, in which our request could be published. Please feel free to publish our names and address or to forward it to people who could be interested.

We can write in English, German, French and, our own language, Dutch. We really are looking forward to receiving some reactions so that it would be possible to build up naturist friendships with people abroad.

Many thanks in advance for your kind help!

Sincerely yours,

Egbert and Else Hertsen

POSTBUS 85, MECHELEN 2

B-2800 MECHELEN

BELGIUM

Sunday I awoke (rather late) to a frost, followed by another warm sunny day day with no wind. The committee meeting produced some constructive future planning, part of which was another "P.J. the D.J" disco for Labour Weekend. Visitors welcome (bring lots of money for raffles!).

Congratulations and welcome to the "Nudvan" Club.

It's based in Tauranga but very mobile. I see their formation as a new dimension for the nudist movement, which will encourage new members to the movement from the bus and mobile homes people. They will be welcome at ROTOTA Sun Club, as are all our nudist visitors.

Graham

FREE BEACH
CORNER

Still a bit chilly where you are for a visit to your local sunny spot? Well, have you thought of moving a bit further afield - like OZ? Costs may appear higher but do investigate. You might find it's not that much dearer as off-peak fares can be comparable to those over our own North - South ditch!

You can write to the clubs listed in the back of the Naturist for places to stay, at generally modest tariffs. Anything from "a dozen" for a paddock by a river (we stayed a week), to $A100 plus per day for a motel style unit (didn't go there). We found the average cost per night to be around $A10-15.

Margaret and I spent about three years in total over there. Several months of it tripping from club to club in a caravan. We did it Kiwi style, buying the caravan for about $A1000 and towed it with a $A400 Holden "Sin-Bin" van.

By "club" in the Australian context, I mean any address in the ANF Guide, and ad in the Australian Sun & Health or New Zealand Naturist which looks like they have grounds. The beaches, of course, are free.

They are found in "Bare Facts" the OZ version of our "Free Beaches" list.

We ended up with about 20 places to visit between Sydney and Perth including several along the Murray river. The clubs in Australia vary in style much more than here because most are privately owned.

From this time of the year to about May, most areas of the country are warm enough for us flying Kiwis. As a winter experiment, I travelled north from Sydney to find out how far 'up' it was necessary to get to feel comfortable in my preferred mode of dress:

the air. About Townsville things started coming right. By the time I reached Cairns things were quite nice.

Unfortunately we didn't get to Darwin. For winter, they tell me; there, or the northern half of Western Australia, Broome or Port Hedland are good options. No clubs but plenty of beaches. I wouldn't recommend those places for a summer visit unless you know what you're in for by way of over-comfortable temperatures. There are also a variety of biting and stinging things on land and in the sea: like ants and jellyfish; which can be a bit of a surprise for the uninitiated.

Nevertheless, consider Australia for your next out-of-season venture: there's plenty of it.

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. 146 September 1993

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

The Secretary N.Z.N.F.
PO Box 101-187
North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland 1330

President: Les Olsen
Auckland (09) 444-5015

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Les Olsen - I.F.C., P2, P9, P11, P12, P13,

P14, P16, P18, P22

Freddy Karstensen - P5, P6, P7

Doug Cousins - P12

Graham McGregor - P15, I.B.C.

Robbert Broekstra - P4, B.C.

Richard Edmunds - F.C.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

147 December 1993 - 1 October 1993

148 March 1994 - 30 January 1994

149 June 1994 - 20 April 1994

150 September 1994 - 15 July 1994