# 150 - September 1994 

According to a newspaper article written by Christian Ebner, the wide naturist community includes a small and dwindling minority: these people are the true followers of naturism; their nudity expresses a comprehensive ideology prescribing vegetarian food, a rejection of tobacco and alcohol, as well as a dedication to the intense practicing of sports. Their aim: to keep the body healthy. Real naturists spend their leisure in natural environments. However, our high-tech society tends to reduce this "natural domain" bit by bit. It is mainly human behaviour which threatens what remains of the natural areas. Therefore, it seems to me that one the main tasks we set ourselves as naturists is taking care of nature, of our environment. Our common duty should be to contribute to the protection of nature. Granted, there is no such thing as a single idea on the environment. For us, naturists, the concept of the environment obviously includes the landscape, the water and the air - three vital components of a whole. We experience nature and the environment in our lives. However, these concepts are also present in our subconscious; they are part and parcel of our very nature as individuals, of our memories, of our moods or feelings. Nature is more than merely a piece of environment, as it reflects the world of our personal thoughts. Consequently it is legitimate, and in the public interest, to protect nature as the subjective, personal domain of our experience.

We might compare the concepts of Nature and Environment, to gain a better understanding of their meaning.

Consider the following word pairs, and allow significance of the differences observed to reach our consciousness: extension - space, silence - tranquility; leisure - amusement; experience - distraction; adventure - risks, community - mass, movement - transport; rail - road: biological - chemical; and so on.

Nature is more than an exciting backstage feature, but rather a vital source of humankind's mental creativity. Was nature not the main inspiration for the creation of major works by poets, composers, painters, and the like?

By converting our ideas into practice, through the work of our hands, assisted by technical means, we change and shape our environment. However, the changes wrought are not always beneficial to us. Let us add that nature also shapes and transforms us. It may even be argued that it exerts considerable influence on our actions.

Do we not observe big differences when we talk to someone from another area of our own country? Should we really stress the difference between city-dwellers and people from rural areas? Or between people from mountain areas and seafarers?

These are dimensions imprinted by nature and the environment, determinants of our way of life and individual features. Nature first of all has some spatial extension, creating obvious features, regional or national, which will come to expression, unless mechanisation disturbs the picture. Nature is also a geological and temporal framework. A familiar and still intact nature provides us with bearings in space and in time.

A path or a stream winding its way through the meadows enables us to evaluate distances in "minutes to be walked", whereas hills or mountains on the horizon give rise to estimates in "hours". On a motorway this is impossible, and useless anyway. Let us therefore seek to preserve nature, as we wish it to be, in our capacity as naturists.

I would like to end this article on a few thoughts and questions relating to environmental protection the need of which has never been as urgent as it is today. What is our understanding for a will to preserve the environment? Do we use resources in a responsible way? Do we reduce energy, water and power consumption to a minimum, as well as transport movements and the accumulation of waste? Are we taking into account the ecologically important features when we engage on various activities? Do we support revolutionary and efficient measures aiming at a reduction of the factors not quite friendly to the environment? Do we contribute to environmental protection in cooperation with the authorities? Do we totally support the ecologically sensible solutions in the economy? Are we blameless in the preservation of public health and natural resources?

If we can unambiguously answer "yes" to all the questions above, we will have recognised the problem of environmental protection, the impact of which makes itself increasingly felt in our everyday life. We understand the problem correctly and our behaviour is exemplary. Let us endeavour that our neighbours, left and right, follow our exemplary behaviour.

Konrad E. Brönnimann
INF - Executive

I live in a place where there are several unofficial nude beaches that are only 20 minutes drive away. I never gave much thought in going to one as my wife at that time would never go with me or approve of my going alone.

Due to many incompatibles, we eventually got divorced. Something happens when you get divorced; you want to change your life. You want to do things that you never did before. Many newly- divorced men grow beards, learn to fly an airplane, travel in foreign countries without hotel reservations and join nudist organisations. I did all four things.

I began going to the local nude beaches and fell in love with the freedom of it all. I began to envy the guys on the beach with their girlfriends or wives, I vowed that my next serious relationship would be only with a woman who felt good about herself and sufficiently comfortable with her body to the extent that she enjoyed nude beaches.

Unfortunately, there are most always many more single men on nude beaches than single women. Oh, you will find giggling teenage girls there on a dare, some college students, some housewives on an outing, but not too many single women my age that are not already committed.

It was a hot July afternoon and as I am self employed I decided that I would take the rest of the day off and go to the beach. I needed a little exercise and thought that perhaps I could get a volleyball game going.

Arriving at the beach, I took my clothes off, laid my blanket down and set up my umbrella. After taking a few minutes to apply sun block to the more sensitive areas of my body I started to look around to see who else was there.

There were a few families and groups of women with children, a few college girls and a lot of lone men. I did notice a lone attractive lady, also in the nude, sunning herself not too far from where I was. She was perhaps a few years younger than I, but it was hard to tell. (Interesting how the clothes people wear give hints as to their age. But I digress...)

As I looked in her direction, I noticed her looking at me as well. She smiled. I smiled back, but I wasn't sure if she was smiling at me or, perhaps, someone behind me. I quickly turned around to see if there might be someone else who she was smiling at, but there was no obvious person in sight. I turned back to look at her again, but she had laid down on her blanket and closed her eyes.

The sand was getting hot and I was about ready to go into the surf to cool off when I noticed this lady getting up and quickly walking to the water's edge. I followed her, remaining a discrete distance behind, but as we both got into the water she turned to speak to me, saying something like, "My, isn't the water cold today?"

I agreed, and soon we were engaged in a trivial, but lively conversation, all the time in knee-deep water.

Soon she indicated that she wanted to return to her blanket on the sand and I asked if she would like me to join her. She said yes, she wouldn't mind, so I quickly collected my stuff and spread my blanket next to hers.

We exchanged first names and chatted for the next few hours, but it was getting late and the sun was going down; other people on the beach were packing up and beginning to leave. I asked her if she would like to join me for a bite to eat in the nearby small beach restaurant before we left for our homes. She said yes, that she was very hungry.

We dressed, packed up our gear and walked a short distance to the clothed section of the beach to where the restaurant was located. While we were eating she mentioned that she was house sitting for a wealthy couple while on vacation a few miles from here. She said that in the back of the house there was a warm spa that was always running, but lamented that it wasn't much fun to use alone. I quickly asked her if she would like some company this night, and she said "Yes, I think I would."

(Oh Dear Reader, you cannot imagine how I felt at that moment! My dreams were coming true! She was pretty, she was friendly, she was adventuresome and unattached! She seemed highly educated, and above all, a nudist! I could not believe my good fortune!

But please read on...).

I'd mentioned that it might be nice to stop and pick up some wine for us to sip while in the spa and perhaps some bread and cheese also. She agreed and said that she would follow me in her car to the nearest grocery store.

It was getting dark by this time, but she followed me to a small market a few blocks away. Hastily purchasing a bottle of good wine and snacks, we got back into our cars when she said, "Now stay close behind me and I'll lead the way to where I'm staying. It's about three miles away."

It was dark now and the traffic was heavy as we started out. The second stoplight turned yellow just as she went through the intersection. I tried to keep up with her, but another car quickly pulled in front of me blocking my way, and I could not follow her as the traffic-light had turned red. Meanwhile, another car pulled in behind her and she apparently thought it was me.

I had lost her! Completely lost her! I sped after the light turned green and looked everywhere for her but she had turned off on some other street. I didn't have her last name. She didn't give me the address of where she was staying or where she permanently lived. I had no phone number for her! I even went back to the grocery store and waited half an hour thinking she might return. But she never did.

Several months later, I saw her on the same beach. She was as beautiful and friendly as I had remembered her. I said to her. "I lost you. What happened?" She said, "I thought you were following me and when you turned off, I thought that you had chickened out and changed your mind." "No," I explained. "I was stuck behind a red light. I had no way of letting you know!"

I asked her if we could try again, and she said, "No, I can't. I have a committed relationship now, but thank you for asking."

I often wonder how my life would have been changed if it weren't for that damned stoplight...!

- by Marcus J. Malum

Photo: Graham Hall

Waiheke Island is a unique blend of yester-year and present-day life. After a Quick-Cat ferry journey of thirty-five minutes into the Hauraki Gulf from downtown Auckland, visitors off-load on a modernised wharf and can take one of the waiting buses to any of the various populated areas around the island. An acreage of flat parking land close by the ferry terminal will, on week-days, be full of vehicles for those who work in Auckland, leaving their vehicles there, for returning to their homes later.

Bus drivers are very knowledgeable of the island and extremely helpful. Generally they are able to advise newcomers on any directions they may need. Utmost courtesy and friendliness is their essential character. Oneroa is the first village en-route with a good assortment of shops and services available. On a recent visit to the island, my guide advised me of the use of the extreme west end of Oneroa beach for nude sunbathing. Between Oneroa and Palm Beach are several beautiful small and quite secluded beaches which are well patronised by local nudists. From my own observance though, the steep tracks leading down to these beaches, may deter those folk of elderly years or with infirmities.

Next along the way is the well-known Palm Beach. The bus will drop off passengers at two points at this very popular venue. Here shops cater for public needs of food, newspapers, etc. and are situated only a couple of hundred metres from the surfing beach which is spacious and very appealing.

To get to "Little Palm Beach", you can take the easy road down to the main beach and walk over a small rocky peninsular; or walk down a long, steep flight of steps at the western end. That very popular nudist section is often "infiltrated" by textile bathers, but nudists are not supposed to reciprocate by going to the "clothed side"!

One of the most popular beaches on the island is Onetangi, which like Palm Beach, has many adjacent houses; also with store, takeaways, hotel and public facilities. And yes, again at Onetangi the nudist section is on the extreme left, western side and clearly defined by a rocky outcrop "stopping" textile bathers. High-tide users of the nude beach have a well-defined track skirting behind these rugged rocks. The clothing "sub-division" of beaches on Waiheke Island, where both public and private nudity is so obviously widely practiced, is surely indicative of extreme narrow-mindedness. However, the faithful followers of body self-acceptance (i.e. nudists) are clearly undaunted by these "divisions" or the body-conscious species who call-in for a look!

Although having to take reasonable care in descending to the beaches from the headlands, it is quite possible to do so, then swim, sunbathe and picnic nude at a couple of other attractive locations on the northern side of Waiheke Island. Large pohutukawa trees are a striking feature of these locations and invoke an aura of peace and serenity to the beauty-conscious beholder. The young and energetic could well be challenged and energised - by steep or rugged terrain, or by canoe or kayak explorations of island foreshores.

Very interesting to any sight-seeing naturist and adventurer, is Stony Batter which is on the extreme northeastern portion of Waiheke.

This is on privately owned land so any persons hiking there are required to respect gates, fences and stock. The huge rocks, reported to have been erupted there from ancient volcanic action of the distant Rangitoto Island, are a phenomenon; being seen is to be believed. Of course it is from these rock formations that Stony Batter acquired its name.

The gun sites built by the armed forces during World War II, along with the inter-connecting network of underground tunnels, is another feature of interest for the adventuresome to explore. However, reliable torches are necessary.

We did not visit the southern bays and inlets but I was assured it would take several days to explore them all. And there are quiet and secluded places, to strip and cool-off in the pleasant summer waters of the Gulf. The supporter member who was my host on this visit, has a wealth of knowledge of the island, having lived there for many years and is convinced that many more nudists / naturists would be well advised to sample what Waiheke Island has to offer. Whether married with children, single, young or old; there is something to interest everyone.

Whatever the length of your next summer holiday, why not relax, enjoy and explore that which is a mere half-hour or so "overseas journey" from the mainland's "rat-race". Try it once, and it will surely not be your last visit.

NZNF Public Relations Officer, Brent Thomson, has recently circulated promotional material for approval by member clubs.

The "go natural" design concept is the logo poised to accompany all national and regional advertising extolling the benefits of "clothes free recreation" to New Zealanders. The logo wording will become the "trade name" for NZ nudism. It is anticipated that this new national image combined with club-based contact people will result in greatly increased public awareness of nudism.

Above is the basic logo that the NZNF is seeking to have approved by clubs. It has evolved out of the desire for a fresh, interesting and stronger graphic image to create better public awareness.

At the Palmerston North Rally last December, Brent outlined progress that had been made on an integrated plan for recruitment, retention and improved community relations for nude recreation.

The "re-imaging" work has been refined to the stage where it is now considered suitable for implementation. Clubs have been sent the promotional material for approval.

The other recommendation sought by NZNF from member clubs, is that concerning a club contact person. The idea is that each club nominates either one or two experienced members to be the club contact. It is also planned to arrange an 0800 phone number and PO Box as the national contact. Callers can then be referred to the local contact people.

What do you think? Positive criticism of the promotional material is encouraged! If you have comments, please write to: PO Box 101-187, NSMC, Auckland 1330.

The new logo will replace the existing version

- HERE COMES -

MARDI

GRAS

'95

"PINEGLADES" the home of the Canterbury Sun Club in Rolleston, is the place to be this summer as we celebrate the "MARDI GRAS RALLY l995".

Early indications tell us that quite a number of revellers north of the Bombay Hills are partying in readiness for the Mardi Gras. What a welcome there will be not only for our friends from the North Island but a wonderful opportunity for "Mainlanders" to socialise amid the clothes free lifestyle we enjoy so much. A unique opportunity to "go natural" and compete for the fifty plus national trophies at this 43rd NZNF Rally.

If you wish to fly direct to Christchurch we would be only too happy to meet you at the airport, which is only 20 minutes from Rolleston; and of course, return you after your stay.

Visitors will be well catered for at Pineglades which has good camping facilities, including a well-appointed clubhouse with kitchen, lounge and bar, plenty of ablution blocks, powered camp sites, a sheltered but sunny barbecue area, solar heated swimming pool, spa - sauna complex, children's playground complete with flying fox and paddling pools.

During the rally, alfresco dining will be available from the Bourbon Street Café and Garden Bar. An extensive lunchtime and dinner blackboard menu will be available at very reasonable prices and where better to wash it down, but in the pleasant surroundings of our Garden Bar. So forget the hassle of packing the pots, pans and tinnies, and relax during the rally to enjoy the hospitality for which "Pineglades" is renowned.

For the sports minded there are two volleyball courts, three miniten courts, tennikoits, petanque and table tennis. A full programme of sports events has been planned, including the inaugural Open Doubles Petanque. All INF Passport holders and Free Beach Group members are eligible to compete and nudists are invited to make up composite teams if there are insufficient members from your own club attending the rally.

Wednesday 28 December is when most of our visitors are expected to arrive to meet up with old and new friends and enter the sports draws. The evenings entertainment begins with the "Rocking over Rio", a Latin style disco to welcome the Mardi Gras revellers, with some hot spicy nibbles to wet your appetite.

Sports will begin in earnest and the lunch-time Top Teams competition will get underway on Thursday, followed by "Carnival Capers", a games night with a difference.

As always during the rally, young children will have a daily programme of events planned especially for them, including a trip to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. There is also a keen group of young adult members from Canterbury, organising some special times for your enjoyment.

Several attractions around Canterbury are available such as the Antarctic Centre, Air Force Museum, Science Alive and the Arts Centre. Also, advance bookings will be taken by our Entertainment Committee for the Mt Cavendish Gondola, on the Friday evening.

The "Mardi Gras Carnival Ball" will feature a live band and you are invited to let your imagination run riot with your fancy dress. Wearable art, Latin or New Orleans style, wear a mask and/or paint your body. The choice is yours. There will be great prizes for great efforts.
By New Year's Day the competitions should really be hotting up with some exciting finals in Table Tennis, Tennikoits and Miniten. I understand a certain member from Canterbury who shall be known as "the body" will be returning from overseas to claim the men's singles miniten title.
The Inter-club Swimming Regatta is a sports event not to be missed and the inaugural Open Doubles Petanque will no doubt have some surprises in store also. Cap this exciting day off with a night of feasting and entertainment by our comedy players at the "Theatre Restaurant".
The Percy Cousins Trust Variety Concert invites well rehearsed items to ensure a memorable evening - why not get together with other club members and show off your talents.

Photos: Les Olsen

When "The Carnival is Over" as the song goes, will be the time for us to view a photographic display from the rally and to say "adios amigos" on Tuesday 3rd January, the last day of the rally. The members' General Meeting will be followed by the presentation of trophies and finally, to finish off on a high note - "The Mardi Gras Farewell Party".
This will be the 10th National Rally I have attended in as many years in the nudist organisation and it gives me very great pleasure to extend an invitation to join me in this "Carnival of Social Nudity" - "The Mardi Gras Rally 1995".
Your local Club Secretary has registration forms, or write to -

CSC Rally Co-ordinator,

PO Box 32, Rolleston

BODY ART   a new experience

Photo: Neville Walker

Photo: Les Olsen

For centuries the Body has been used by artists to grace their canvases and give satisfaction not only to themselves but to the many thousands of people who have admired their works.

Of recent times with the advent of zinc-based paints, the bodies themselves have become the artist's 'canvas' and a whole new area of painting has been discovered.

In the public arena of course, we have become aware through the medium of television, of sports spectators painting their faces and torsos in team-colours and indeed the players themselves using body paint to enhance their appearance.

The new body experience has not been lost on the nudist fraternity and in recent times body-art has become the new challenge to artists on United States beaches where competitions are held and many intricate and innovative designs have become evident.

At a recent New Zealand Nudist Federation Rally 'body-art' was displayed for the first time and became a daily feature of the youth programme.

Neville and Margaret, as tutors, were so surprised at the amount of interest shown by the rally youth that they created many interesting designs with the assistance of their charges.

The Youth Programme organiser, Kate, became the living canvas for a "mass paint-in" and the resulting Body Art created can be seen on these pages along with some of the other designs produced.

Of course the inevitable scrub up with the household broom was the least desired experience for those concerned but of course, necessary in the circumstances. However it was all part of the good-natured fun that prevailed throughout the Rally.

I feel sure that this body art will become an annual feature of future rallies and that it will provide an exciting challenge to the youngsters taking part.

- by Les Olsen

Photo: Les Olsen

Sound familiar? These a some of the concerns voiced by most women invited to visit a nudist club for the very first time.

When I think back to my earlier forays into the nudist lifestyle, I could not help but breath a quiet sigh of relief. At last I had found a place where it was safe. I could take off all my clothes and not feel silly about it.

Of course I was just a bit lucky in having a fairly relaxed family attitude to nudity from a very young age. It was no big deal for us all to get dressed together in front of the fire, and the later excitement of skinny-dipping as a young woman made my first visit to a club a natural transgression. My only regret is that nobody had told me anything about it earlier!

I remember the very first summer holiday I spent at "Pineglades" with my two young children and how very safe and really happy we all felt. No more worries about upsetting the fisherman (or the fish) down the river where we used to swim, no more the quick dash for a towel when another family (textiles as we know them now) arrived to picnic beside us.

Like most nudist women I appreciate that the true nudist environment can be a relaxing natural haven fostering honesty, sincerity and a shared appreciation of the quality of life. At the same time it can be a wonderful outlet for the more extroverted side of our nature and the variety of entertainment and recreational pursuits are numerous. During the last ten years I have become a "rally freak" and have caught a disease known as miniten!

Nudists come in all shapes and sizes and represent a broad cross-section of social and economic backgrounds.

Single, married, widowed or divorced, it is clear that here is an environment free of many of the social constraints surrounding women-hood. A place where self-esteem and acceptance of others should be paramount.

Most if not all nudist women joined a club through their spouse, with some lucky enough to have another female friend introduce them. It's all a matter of honesty and trust. With all due respect to our male counterparts, women contemplating a visit to a nudist club for the very first time quite frankly feel more than a little embarrassed at the thought of all those nude men. We can understand that, can't we?

So why not make the first step a little easier?

At first, the idea of holding an open day exclusively for females was met with a somewhat lukewarm reaction, but extolling the benefits of our "clothes free" lifestyle is one of my favourite pursuits and before long the Canterbury Sun Club had an enthusiastic band of women planning their first "Women Only Day."

Invitations were sent out to club members to ask friends and family; women's clubs were sent invites; posters went up in shopping malls and fitness centres; adverts placed in community newspapers; and thanks to some of our male members - flyers were distributed around the neighbourhood. The emphasis was on enjoying a relaxing day in the country and that's exactly what we did.

Most of the day was spent lazing around the club house in the sunshine. There was a bit of a nip in the air, which precluded the majority from going au naturel.

However several young children oblivious to the cold air, cavorted in the solar heated swimming pool with intermittent dashes to the hot spa.

A number of our friends and family responded to our invitations and considering there are only three females in the small family business where I am employed, I can honestly say we had 100% turnout. My employer's wife Sheryn came out for the afternoon with her two young children and Debbie (who is a dab hand at fabric painting), agreed to give a demonstration of her craft during the afternoon. Which just goes to show, if you actually feel good about something and tell others, you get a good response.

One of our members held an exhibition of her art work and the club lounge was an ideal venue to display other crafts, club photo albums and David Ball's video "Naked Down Under". Lunch was a very leisurely chatty time and soon ran into afternoon tea. Our visitors came away delighted that they had accepted our invitation and with a better understanding of what our lifestyle means to us.

What really tickled me was the reaction from my three male work colleagues the following Monday. They were just speechless when informed that not only did Debbie visit the club for the very first time, but the boss's wife and the two children as well!

If your club has not yet held a "Women Only Day", give it a go. We think it should be an annual event.

- by Kay Burrows

ROTOTA

Rotata still has a warm welcome, even though the weather is cool (B... cold, really!). With our members so spread out over the North Island, we decided to try postal voting for Election of Club Officers. It was very successful - about 90% return - and still we had the same number at the AGM as in previous years.

The working bee after the AGM started putting poles and planks around the beach area, to stabilise our shoreline.

Mike brought his pile driver (unfortunately his tractor wouldn't fit into the back of his ute), so it became person-powered. With much grunting, balancing, laughing, thumping, and wetting of pants (when warm - those with sense and brains to feel the cold took them off!) all the posts were driven, and in the following weeks the planks have been put in place. This will greatly improve the beach area.

Photo: Graham McGregor

Last week, 6-9 July, I was in a ski lodge on Mt Ruapehu. Four days of mostly blizzard. I was amused when having a hot shower to think that the blizzard and snow was about 12" away from me! We may not need clothes, but a warm building is very useful in these conditions.

Roll on Summer!

SUPPORTER GROUP

I was very disappointed to read of developments at Papamoa. Sadly, the advance of liberalism is not rubbing off on our cause. Why is this? Why does sexual permissiveness not seem to produce greater tolerance of the naked body? Perhaps the "pervs" spoil it - (Papamoa beach, child abuse etc). Or perhaps permissiveness increases society's guilt level which is then directed against nudity as a scapegoat?

Human nature is strange.

Possibly one bright light on the horizon comes from an unlikely source, namely the Maori renaissance. The Maoris want to put penises back on their carvings. Apparently the missionaries made them cut them off when they arrived on the scene. And Maori influence seems to reign supreme at present.

There has been some controversy about a totem pole structure outside the Arataki tourist centre. The pole has four figures complete with big erections; all are very obviously males. The lowest set is particularly prominent, being at eye-level right at the entrance way. Tattoos make them even more prominent.

Presumably, such a display in any other context would be considered pornographic. I doubt there will be a spin off to the nudist movement. Somehow people can live with a carving but still be horrified by the real thing. There is little consistency in human nature.

Rotota can crusher in action

News from the Regions

Waikato Outdoor Society recently had the planning consent for their new grounds at Matangi overturned on appeal, by objectors. The club is currently examining their future options but are likely to appeal the decision soon. We hope to have a full report on this club's development plans next issue.

Further south at the grounds of Wellington Sun Club Inc, an Arbor Day has been held to plant native trees in a sunken garden project, initiated by President June. Commemorative trees have been planted by the children, past presidents, and those members who willingly helped to finance the venture.

The "Sold Out" sign was up for the mid winter feast held recently, with the after dinner floorshow being provided by the master puppeteer Barry and his puppet, Howard. This hilarious event left many jaws aching from laughing too much.

News from the other island is that "Brass Monkeys" held a ball at the grounds of Canterbury Sun Club. This event has been held for many years and is the mid winter highlight of that club's activities.

Preparations are well under way for this year's NZNF Rally at "Pineglades" and is reported on, elsewhere in this issue.

Nine brave or crazy souls celebrated the winter solstice with a plunge into the club pool and were rewarded with a certificate for their foolhardiness. Me thinks there must be surely have been some ice about, with the near blizzard conditions prevailing in Canterbury at the time.

Alpine Lakes Nudist Centre, the newest club in our fraternity, is still seeking a property to call home. What with snow, ice, rock falls and floods in their greater region of operation, nudist activity must surely be on hold, awaiting the onset of more pleasant weather conditions.

Spa/sauna activities during the winter months do help one to thaw out and provide a pleasant social atmosphere for the club members.

Southern Sun and Health Club - is there anyone left to communicate with us? We would like to print your report next issue.

Congratulations are extended to South Auckland Sun Club who recently celebrated their 21st birthday with a pleasant social evening in their club rooms. Members of the NZNF Executive were in attendance as were a number of past and present members. Ample heating was provided on the cold evening and a lovely supper was provided by the hosts.

A magnificent birthday cake was cut to celebrate the occasion.

Hawkes Bay are still alive and thriving. A very mild season until the severe cold caught up with us, but plenty of activity around the club.

The clubhouse is now carpeted, with an area left for dancing, or table tennis, and a plethora of hot showers underneath.

Norman B. has single handedly upgraded our old clubhouse, now called 'NORM'S LODGE' so that now we have good quality accommodation for visitors.

Pat M. our new leader, is heading an enthusiastic team onto new developments.

The sunbathing area around our large swimming pool is being extended and Aaldert is upgrading the children's play area.

A recent working bee and clean up was a great success and our groundsman Peter E. saw to it that no rubbish was left unburnt.

The sauna evening at a local motel was nearly an overwhelming success, as we started to run out of room in the sauna, with the spa having more bodies than water in it.

Visitors this summer will be agreeably surprised at how pleasant the Hawkes Bay Club is.

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB

At this year's Annual General Meeting, the members selected a lady a President for the first time in its forty-five years' existence. Congratulations Jan.

Many women have been involved as executive members of the club over the years, but none had aspired to become the president until this year. It is notable that the three major clubs (Auckland - Wellington - Canterbury) are currently led by women. Long may this continue.

The mid-winter Christmas function attracted a large crowd of members and it was good to see that many had invited friends and neighbours to participate in this year's activity Santa and Santina were on hand to give out the presents following the dinner and later on, dancing continued until a late hour. Regular monthly social events have been well attended and the mid-winter Indoor Bowls tournament commenced recently.

Due to the Auckland water crisis, strict conservation measures have been put in place so that we can be seen as doing our bit during this time. Recent rain has helped to ease the extreme drought conditions in the region but we will need to remain vigilant during the coming months so that we can be assured of a water supply during the summer season. The picturesque beer garden and barbeque area (see photo) is a delightful place to meet new friends and we would like to welcome you as new members for the coming summer.

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

The most popular topic, at the time of writing, is water. We, at A.S.C., like any other responsible organisation, are quite concerned over the swimming pool in the near future. It has been decided not to dump the water over the winter and only allow the pool to be topped up by rain. Even the overflow pipe has been blocked so that the pool will fill to the brim. This extra water can then be used for backwash etc.

As for the spa pool it was judged that no more water would be used by keeping this going as people would have no need to shower when they got home that day. The committee has some plans for contingency water supplies.

Some twenty-odd pitasporum bushes have been planted between the drive and the car park. These should grow up and provide a screen in keeping with the natural theme of the club. This will allow members to use the car park to some degree, even if they are nude.

The filling of the ring road is almost complete. Just requires some sort of surfacing. This also has provided us with several more easy accessible camp sites. Also, we now have a crazy-paved path along the back of the swimming pool with steps at either end. A further retaining wall was built and the gap filled with soil. Now a flower garden is being developed there. It is surprising what can be done with a little broken concrete and a lot of M.L.

Our weekly spa and sauna sessions are in steady demand and regularly attended by a loyal stream of members and visitors. These evenings are open to everyone at a cost of $2.50. p.p. As a guide, people are asked to shower before entering the spa and not to stay in too long when there are others waiting. Remember, one payment lasts all day, so more than one soak can be enjoyed. In winter there is usually a cheerful log fire burning upstairs.

Our Rock 'n Roll evening was the main party of the winter. This saw a club room full of members and friends enjoying the nostalgic sounds of the '60s. But it must be said that some of the dancing may not have been as energetic as it was back then.

At the A.G.M. a levy of $10 per adult member was built into the annual subscription. This is to build up a contingency fund for the future, in preparation for any emergency repairs or breakdowns that may occur. Such things as the pool pump, etc.

It seems that next summer our club will be bereft of some members if all the plans to visit the rally come to fruition. Some plan to make this an opportunity to tour the 'Mainland' and visit all the clubs. So, beware all you 'Mainlanders'! By the way, we will be coming down with empty water tanks in our campers and going back with full ones!

THE CANTERBURY SUN CLUB (INC.)

A very enthusiastic and larger than usual crowd turned out for a lively AGM, resulting in a number of new members were elected on the committee.

Our new Social Convener put a wonderful spread at very short notice for the club annual mid-winter Christmas Dinner and the following day a few (fool)- hardy members celebrated the solstice by plunging into a rather cold swimming pool. The reward of a hot spa and sauna followed by a delicious lunch was truly appreciated both by swimmers and on-lookers alike.

In the midst of all the preparations for the NZNF Rally to be held at "Pineglades" this year, we still found time and energy to hold a workshop to discuss the proposals and the revised design concept put forward by the NZNF Promotions Team.

While the rest of the country suffered single digit temperatures we were afforded the luxury of a balmy July weekend and several keen miniten players made the most of our "clothes-free recreation" in the middle of winter. To think that only a few days before, it was snowing!

Our winter is a season of 'annuals' with the most popular occasion being the Brass Monkey Ball: a good excuse for a right old knees up in our best bib and tucker.

Always keen to diversify, a group of trampers is being formed and several enjoyable walks around the countryside are planned. It is hoped to take this a stage further and do a weekend tramp later in the year on the West Coast, renowned for its native flora fauna.

Dear Sir,

We are writing to seek introductions to any of your members who may wish to start a letter writing dialogue with us. We are, of course, mainly interested in writing to couples.

We are nudists and have been listed in the International Nudist Network in the pen friends section as well as the naturist bed and breakfast sections under Malaysia since 1988. We have known Don and Pauline, the original co-ordinators in UK for many years. It is indeed, very usual for people to be surprised to see our name listed under Malaysia. We are Indian citizens and have been living in Malaysia for many years as expatriates. I am a consultant in industrial development and my work takes me to many developing countries in Africa and the Caribbean. We've been going to clubs and beaches in Europe and USA for many years, but have not met many Asian people there.

Malaysia is, indeed, a very beautiful and warm country and it should have been very good for nude sunbathing. You probably know that nudity is not permitted here. However, people can do what they like in their homes, and in private secluded places. We have found some very nice beaches off the west coast (off Messing, if anybody has a map handy) where we often go with overseas visitors.

We would also like to be put in touch with any of your members who are now living in this region, or, are planning to take a holiday here.

With best regards

Reggie Singh

201- J Stewdor Flats,
Brickfield, 50470

Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Fax/Phone 603-274-2382

Dear Editor,

Is there somebody going to the Christchurch Rally who has a spare seat?

I am in need of a ride from Christchurch to as close as possible to Picton after the Rally. The little problem is, my push-bike. So if you have a caravan or trailer to tow and a spare seat in your car, I would be much obliged if you could drop me a note. I have to be back in Hawkes Bay by the 10th of January.

Thanks very much for your offer. Something like this could do the trick I think.

Yours sincerely

Peter van der Stam

156 Te Awa Avenue

Napier

Dear Sir,

You have my full support for a Communications Corner in the N.Z. Naturist.

For some years now I've tried to find a lady penfriend in New Zealand, Australia or elsewhere in the world who is interested in nudism. I always put nudism as a main interest in my first letter and either directly or a letter later, correspondence stops.

In order to prevent misuse, a charge for each advert and use of a box number could be made

Here's hoping you get the support required.

Robert Ashwell

Gisborne

Dear Editor

I have spoken with Frank Murphy (Business Manager New Zealand Naturist) in regard to this idea I have of seeking the interest of readers, who like me, may have suffered an illness - I am a stroke survivor - which prevents them from getting to beaches, or into the bush or wherever nudists go to enjoy the company of like minded people.

I was an active nudist since my teens but now my bung leg makes it difficult to get about as I once did. Above all, I miss the company of other nudists and wonder if a group of disabled people may be formed so we can meet and enjoy picnics, hot pools, evening or daytime get-togethers etc. Persons of any race, age, sex or status would be welcome.

Your disability may be slight or major, or perhaps your partner may be afflicted. We would also need helpers so if you are able to help, your enquiry would be welcome.

Both Frank Murphy and I feel there is a place for such a group and the idea has merit. The company of others is often hard to get when one becomes disabled and we see this as an opportunity to help each other. The emphasis would be Auckland based, but other areas may be interested in starting similar groups.

I would be interested in discussing the idea further with interested people. I am available on phone 09-827-0699.

Thank you,

Martin

Supporters Group Member

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. 150 September 1994

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 the Club Directory).

PHOTO CREDITS

Les Olsen - F.C., P7, P10, P11, P13, P14,

P17, P20, B.C.

Robbert Broekstra - I.F.C., P8, I.B.C.

Graham Hall - P3, P20

Graham McGregor - P10, P14, P18

Doug Ball - P11, P16

Neville Walker - P12, P14

Leif Heilburg - P4, P5

DEADLINES FOR COPY

151 December 1994 - 1 October 1994

152 March 1995 - 30 January 1995

153 June 1995 - 20 April 1995

154 September 1995 - 15 June 1995