# 152 - March 1995 

In taking up the reins as Editor - New Zealand Naturist I am continuing a long association with the magazine which began in the early 1960's. In those days as a cost saving method, the magazine was distributed to shops throughout the main centres principally by volunteer club members and I was at the time allocated part of the Auckland area in which to approach shop managers seeking sales on a sale or return basis.

I was ever grateful to those whom decided finally to have the magazine distributed by a large business house thus achieving nationwide distribution of the magazine.

My association continued spasmodically by presenting photographs for publication and then I had the opportunity to work with Graeme Brown and the team in compiling the articles and photographs and seeing the magazine put together as a finished product.

It is my intention that the current high standard of this publication will be maintained and whilst I will continue to promote New Zealand nudism principally, there will also from time to time be coverage of overseas clubs and activities so that the magazine does not become too insular and thus give our readers a greater understanding of naturism worldwide.

I welcome articles and photographs of a high standard from our readership and will gladly publish those items deemed suitable.

At the recent Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc the wording "Go Natural" - clothes free recreation was approved as the phraseology for the promotion of nudism in this country Where-ever possible, this wording will be used to bring about a common understanding of the aims and objectives of the movement in New Zealand.

Les Olsen - Editor

The majority of photographs in this issue were taken at Mardi Gras Rally 1995, held at Christmas in the grounds of Canterbury Sun Club.

Photo: Doug Ball

M

O

V

E

Lisa and Verne Smith are true naturists. Married on 26 November 1994, they spent their honeymoon in the idyllic setting of the Rotota Sun Club, of which they are current members.

Lisa worked at a pathology lab, testing dermatological samples which brought into sharp focus an awareness of skin cancer and the commonsense precautions which we all need to adhere to. But they love the naturist lifestyle and find the sun clubs much friendlier than other camping grounds because of the shared philosophy.

Last year they cycled 1500 kilometres on an ordinary tandem with a trailer. When the front forks broke, Lisa fell forwards breaking her front teeth, upper jaw and nose. Their new bike ensures against such a happening, being much more stable with the centre of gravity closer to the road and the luggage underneath. If Lisa fell off this one she would fall on her feet not her face. Another benefit is that the canvas seats are much more comfortable than those of a conventional bike; one can sit back and relax at any time.

The bike weighs 40 kilograms and can carry up to 50 kilograms of luggage. Each of the two back wheels is driven independently by each rider through their own 21 gears and chain drive, enabling the two riders to select their own gear and pedal at separate rates if need be. Steering is of course managed by the rider facing forwards, who also operates the drum brakes on the front wheels.

Lisa and Verne's 1995 tour of the South Island started from Christ- church airport. They had flown down from Hamilton, their luggage mainly consisting of a box containing the bike parts which were re-assembled on arrival. Three tools fit everything! The fringed canopy has been added especially for the Canterbury climate, they say. With its flag flying, the bike has a jaunty appearance.

After a one-night stay at Pineglades, Lisa and Verne set off for the West Coast, via Peel Forest, Wanaka and the Haast Pass.

"If you do something different, people automatically smile at you," says Verne. You bet! We loved having them call in at Pineglades.

Joyce Fleming

Canterbury Sun Club

A young couple with a unique bike- style attracted a lot of friendly interest when they turned up at the Pineglades Mardi Gras Rally at New Year. "It's a great ice-breaker. We just hang round the bike and people talk to us' No wonder. Their bike looks like a kind of surrey with the fringe on top. A four- wheeled tandem with back-to-back reclining seats, it was designed and custom-built by Tony Woodroffe of Auckland, a specialist in recumbent bikes, to meet the particular needs of its owners, Lisa and Verne. Lisa sits in front, steering. Verne faces backwards. This, says Verne, attracts such remarks as "You're going backwards Mate?

Aren't you the driver?" They can't conceive of a woman being in the driver's seat. However, Verne, who has only 20% of normal eyesight, loves his backwards-facing position which he says gives him a panoramic perception of the surrounding countryside. "My only regret," he says, "is not being able to see people waving at us."

His loss of eyesight, a progressive condition, has made him more than ever sensitive to the environment, an awareness of "forest, farmland, trees and hedges". We are outdoor people. We like camping in woods, or by streams and lakes".

Photos: Doug Ball

With all preparations and bookings made well in advance; oil leaks fixed, new tyres, wheels aligned, WOF's for car and camper; teeth filled, house sitter arranged, rally sight booked and paid for in plenty of time, the first grey cloud appeared! Would the 'shuttle' be in service in time? (This had been booked and paid for months in advance). We set off from home a little early, the first stop to be at Matamata where we were to meet up with R and H, our traveling companions.

We had an overnight stop at Taupo, in a good camping ground with excellent facilities. Grey clouds turned to black - no chance of the 'shuttle' being in service and in time. We were told and rumour had it, that all 'Inter- islanders' were fully booked. Still, undaunted we continued on to Wellington.

Calling in at the Interislander Ferry Terminal Office and after some jovial quips with staff, our tickets were exchanged and indications were that there may be room for the camper van, but grave doubts for the car and trailer. We were then directed to the 'standby' area where we waited for an hour or so. Then the first brief moment of despair. With our car and trailer, we were directed to pull out of the queue. Thinking that there was no chance to board, we resigned ourselves to being placed on the side and to wait overnight. But no! suddenly, all our fears were swept away. We were to be the first of the standby traffic to go aboard.

It was a calm, uneventful journey across to Picton where we spent another night in a camping ground before going on to the beautiful park-like setting of Nelson Sun Club.

The first hint of the troubles to come was after a stop in Richmond. A noise was detected as we drove along and upon inspection of the tyres showed no sign of a nail or any other foreign body. A quick stop at Beaurepaires and the trouble was found to be a small stone rubbing on the brake disk.

On the third and last day at 'Sunrise' (Nelson Sun Club) we reaquainted ourselves with some old friends with whom we had lost touch. They had moved down from Auckland to set up house at Redwood and there we spent a couple of hours at their home reminiscing over old times.

Time came to move on. It was intended that the next stop should be Hamner Springs, but that was not to be. We stopped to brew up at Kawatiri Junction; a small, disused railway station, where some fellow club members had the same idea. This resulted in a rather extended coffee break. Soon after continuing on, disaster struck.

RELAY TO RIO

By Tony Davis - A.S.C.

A few kilometres outside Murchison, 'bang a stone cracks the windscreen of the camper van. It was a slow drive into Murchison where we spent five hours in the camper van playing Rumikub and sheltering from the rain whilst waiting for the replacement windscreen to arrive.

On the road once again - more trouble! Halfway between Murchison and Springs Junction the car began to overheat. A patch up job by the AA took us the forty odd kilometres to Springs Junction Garage where the trouble was diagnosed as a faulty cooling fan relay. The part was duly ordered and was scheduled to be on the midday bus the next day. So we set up camp 15 kilometres further on at Muria Springs, at the start of the Lewis Pass. This came to be known by us as Sandfly Valley. We had just settled in when a phone call came from the garage manager advising us of a twenty four hour delay on delivery of the offending relay replacement. Dutifully going to the garage at the new appointed time, there was more despair on being told the relay had not been placed on the bus. Following colourful language over the phone, the part finally arrived by courier, five hours later. But yes! - you have guessed it - wrong part!

The relay for the heater fan for the passenger compartment had been sent instead of the relay for the engine cooling fan.

Having now reached a state of total despair we got in touch with R and H and told them to go on to Christchurch as we were giving up and going back to Auckland. After considerable persuasion by them, we agreed to give it one more shot and moved on to the AA Holiday Park at Hamner Springs, a place we would well recommend. We had now made arrangements to have another replacement relay delivered to a Ford Agent in Christchurch. So, with grave doubts and dubious thoughts we arrived at the Agency in good time to yet another wait. With much inward cheering, the courier finally arrived with the correct relay. Zap! In two minutes flat the jury rig for the fan was removed and the new relay fitted. Presto all systems go!!

We finally arrived at 'Pineglades' to a warm welcome by Kay, (later to be known as Hats not Pants Burrows), then shown to a good campsite to enjoy what proved to be an excellent rally.

Well done Canterbury.

Photo: Les Olsen

Each one of us - regardless of age, race, sex or status - "must function within the physical reality of his/her own body." And we function much better if we accept and like those bodies. Research indicates that positive vibes about our fleshy forms help us have fewer illnesses, more intimate relationships, and better co-ordination and physical abilities.

You may say, "Well, of course some people like their bodies more than I like mine - they're better looking, slimmer, younger (or whatever)." But appearances aren't everything. Marilyn Story's research shows that among nudists and non-nudists with average body builds and attractiveness, the nudists have higher self-concepts. Nudists are more likely to judge their bodies by how well they function and to like all their body parts. Non-nudists tend to assess their bodies on the basis of attractiveness and to best like their faces (and least like their trunks or genitals, the areas most concealed by clothing).

It may be that many nudists doff their clothes in the first place because they are more comfortable than most people with their bodies.

Even if that is the case, that body acceptance has to start somewhere and it looks as if it often starts in the home, with parents who are comfortable with their sexuality and with nudity.

The subject of nudity in the home is one on which virtually everyone has an opinion but little research had been done until recently. Instead, parents have had to rely on seat-of-the-pants (loosely speaking) advice from "experts", all of whom have their own biases. The admonitions have run the gamut from a warning that "exposure to parental nudity can be sexually stimulating to the child and can lead to later difficulties in adult sexual functioning".

Or: "the implicit message of lack of nudity in the home is that the body is basically unacceptable or shameful, which may carry over into discomfort about nudity in the context of adult sexual relationships. This anxiety may be related to sexual dysfunction." Damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Now, however, psychologists Lewis and Janda have researched the matter. The results were used as a basis for an ABC-TV program by Dr Dean Adelle, broadcast from San Francisco in January 1989. The interpretation of the researchers is that "increased exposure to nudity in the family fosters an atmosphere of acceptance of sexuality, one's own body, and increased comfort in the arena." Seeing friends of either sex nude (in addition to members of one's family) has like results.

The study also delved into the later impact on children's lives from sleeping in their parents' beds and from their parents' attitudes about, and ability to, discuss sexuality. It appears that "the attitudes toward sex that the parents convey to their children may be more important to their subsequent sexual adjustment than any particular family practice". In other words, it's not so much what you do, as how and why you do it. If you as a parent are comfortable with your nudity (and do not pressure your children to also go unclothed), it is likely that they will have better self-esteem and feel more comfortable with their sexuality than their friends who grew up in households where bodies were always carefully hidden from view.

But what does this mean for those of us who were not raised in families that were comfortable with sexuality and nudity? Are we condemned to shame-filled sex and disgusted detachment from our bodies? Must we automatically raise our children to have the same hang-ups?

This is where places like Lupin Naturist Club come in. Once people get to a point where they at least suspect that alienation from their bodies is unhealthful and unnatural, naturist clubs and some beaches provide an environment where at least some of the damage can be undone. It's not that all, or even most of our members are perfectly comfortable with their bodies - in fact, even laid-back old timers undoubtedly have moments when they suddenly revert to red-faced embarrassment at being "caught naked" - at Lupin! I felt that way when a pair of new delivery men settled down to wait (and stare) in the office while I sat nude - no, naked - a few feet away.

Instead of Lupin's being a place where everyone has achieved an unflappable rapport with his or her bare body, it's a refuge for facilitating the droppings of fears and shame. Parents and kids often learn together to accept their bodies; and we grown-up kids get a second chance to learn to love ourselves.

Sources:

"The Relationship Between Adult Sexual Adjustment and Childhood Experiences Regarding Exposure to Nudity, Sleeping in the Parental Bed, and Parental Attitudes Toward Sexuality," by Robin J. Lewis, PhD, and Louis H. Janda, PhD, Archives of Sexual Behaviour, Vol. 17, No. 4, 1988.

"Comparison Studies of Social Nudists and Non-Nudists: Body Self-Concepts and Sexual Behaviours," by Marilyn Story, PhD, Clothed with the Sun, Vol. 6, No. 4, 1986.

Editor's Note: Mollie-Moore Sullivan is a member of the Lupin Naturist Club in northern California and frequently writes in the California Naturist newsletter.

Credit: Reprinted From "Going Natural" (Canada)

From: Andrea Lea

You're invited to

the sunny

Bay of Plenty

Because a lot of Nudist Club Members haven't seen our club, we'd like to extend an open invitation to any nudist club member in New Zealand to visit our club.

The Bay Of Plenty is aptly named with lots of good swimming beaches, rivers, fishing, native bush and one of the warmest climates in New Zealand and what better place to enjoy that climate than at the Bay of Plenty Sun Club.

Let's look at a little of the history of the club. On Sunday 7th November 1966 at 2pm a group of eight people held a meeting in Tauranga to discuss the possibility of forming a club in the Tauranga district. It was decided at this meeting to call the club the 'Tauranga Sun Club Although there was no definite meeting place, they felt they could centre their activities around visits to beaches and secluded areas in the district.

Later the club found a property at Belk Road in Tauranga and they used this property until the 1970's when the club leased a property on Manawahe Road (about 5km's from Matata on the Matata-Edgecumbe Road) where the club is situated today. This property was given the name 'Wharua-Ra' and that name is still on the gate today, although recently Bay of Plenty Sun Club signs have been erected as well to make finding the grounds easier.

One of the foundation members of the club is still with us and the long association he has had with the Nudist Movement shows that you can be a nudist for a very long time and that the enjoyment of nudity is not a fad but becomes a lifestyle.

The Bay of Plenty Sun Club has upgraded facilities recently with a new swimming pool which was put in last summer. It is larger and situated in a sunnier spot. There is decking around the pool and a safety fence has been erected to keep younger children safe. We also have carpet on the clubhouse floor and lino in the kitchen and in the toilet/shower area. There are 25 powered camp sites and the laundry boasts an automatic washing machine. Our other amenities include hot showers, a hot tub, hot and cold running water in the kitchen, two fridges and a freezer in the main clubhouse room.

There are a lot of activities at the club including miniten, volleyball, table tennis, pool, darts, a new children's play area, French boules, bush-walking and it's only a short walk to see the glow-worms at night.

The membership of the club has grown recently with a lot of young families joining. Our membership boasts a wide range in age groups, starting with a couple of one year olds up to members in the pensioner age group. The unity of the club members is fantastic and their willingness to make visitors feel welcome is a reason why so many return to the club year after year.

This summer has been one of our busiest with a large attendance over New Year. An outdoor New Year's Eve Party, Sports Days and a Mystery Bus Trip on the 3rd of January kept our visitors busy - the sports days and games lasted two days! We'd like to thank our visitors for their words of appreciation - we enjoyed your company too!

To anyone else who would like to visit our club, either during the year or for next New Year, we'll find a campsite for you. If you'd like to make a booking, the contact numbers and names for our club are Andrea on (07) 323 6962 or Ron on (07) 578 9123. Come and visit us. We'd love to meet you.

As a final note, our custodians, Barry and Marlene are retiring from their position on 10 March. Any change in club or contact number will be advertised when this position is filled. The club would like to also thank Barry and Marlene for the great job they have done - a replacement of your equal will be hard to find.

CZECHOSLOVAK

NUDISM

The Association of Czechoslovak Naturists organised the second Czech Naturists Sports Games on 30-31 July 1994. The organisers were: Dr. Petr Nypl from Zl in, Jaromir Vasek from Prague, Milo Smutn from Prague.

The games were opened by Dr. Petr Nypl's speech about the significance of the nudity in the art of ancient Greece.

The Ancient Greeks produced the most beautiful works of art because they always had an opportunity to see the nude bodies in the gyms. Gymnos is a Greek word and its meaning is nude. The nudity was so obvious that a lot of words began with "gymnos", e.g.:

• gymnasion - building for nude youngsters
• gymnopaedia - sport games of nude youngsters
• gymnastics - nude youngsters doing sports

When the Greeks lost the contact with the nude body their art deteriorated.

Our sports games began with the dance of children. It was very nice and interesting and all the children took part. Winners were awarded prizes after every three disciplines. The prizes were donated by Mr. Leif Heilberg from the U.S.A. (medals, watches, calculators, jump ropes, hats, air mattresses), Milos Smutny from Prague (chocolate medals) and the members of the Association of Czechoslovak Naturists from Antosovice gave money.

The games closed with a campfire where roast sausages were served, songs were sang and the guitar was played. The atmosphere was excellent.

24TH INF WORLD

CONGRESS IN AUSTRIA

From 26th until 28th August, 1994 the 24th INF World Congress took place on the grounds Rutar Lido in Eberndorf/Carinthia. For the first time, the new federations from the east-European countries were present, in fact: Unie Naturistú Cech a MoravyUNA from the Czech Republic; Drusto Naturista Hrvatske-DNH from Croatia; Russian Naturist Free Association-ENFA from Russia; Union of Naturists of Slovakia-UNSK from Slovakia and Zveza Drustev Naturistov SlovenijeZDNS from Slovenia.

After opening of the congress by the INF President Bart Wijnberg, first of all - as usual for every general assembly - the technical questions were handled and the reports submitted were discussed.

On demand of the auditors the annual invoices 1992 and 1993 were approved and the Executive Committee was discharged at the same time.

In addition to the reports submitted in writing and already published within the INF Bulletin, we learnt from the president of the Brazilian Federation (FBdN) that naturism in Brazil is very lively and that they have started a campaign together with tourism.

There are 6 official beaches which are being guarded by the police and approximately 10 unofficial beaches. The press is very interested in naturism in Brazil.

The federations from Canada, Sweden and Finland reported about progress of naturism and increasing numbers of members.

In Russia the first naturist beach in Moscow has been approved, naturism has come into fashion, Igor Nezovibatko could also report about an increasing number of members.

After the separation of the former Czechoslovakia into the two states Czech Republic and Slovakia, the organisations had to be rebuilt. For Slovakia the UNSK started a big PR-campaign, the media were very interested, the UNSK president Vladimir Oktavec gave a TV interview with an ensuing discussion with the audience.

After the necessary new and supplementary elections, the INF Central Committee is composed as follows:

President: Bart Wijnberg/NFN; 1st vice-president: Karl Drelen/DFK; 2nd vice-president; Konrad Brönnimann/ SNU-UNS.

Further to the article appearing in the December issue of NZ Naturist 'Waikato, a club with a Quandary', we can now report that Spray Drift Trials have been carried out on the WOS grounds.

Staff from the Agrichemicals Group of Lincoln Ventures Ltd - formerly Agricultural Engineering Institute - carried out a specific site spray drift test on the WOS property. This involved assessing the behaviour of spray drift arising from an air-blast. Spray application of a "typical" agrichemical applied to an adjoining commercial orchard block - Trentham Orchard.

Analysis by the Horticultural Research Plant Protection Unit, Ruakura, indicated that very low levels of deposited and airborne spray drift were collected by the samplers. The airborne residue collected was consistent with data obtained from similar trials previously carried out on kiwifruit and apple orchards, down wind of shelter.

The deposited residue was lower than other trials, which could be attributed to the effective filtering of "1arge" droplets by the "fine" dense foliage of the intervening cryptomeria shelter belt.

As the light breeze monitored during the trial was from the prevailing west-south-west direction and tended to waft the spray drift directly over the WOS site, it was considered the data represented a "typical" scenario that may be expected during spraying on the adjoining Trentham Orchard.

In view of the above comments, together with the extensive detailed data included in the report, it appears that the application of pesticides to an adjoining orchard would have negligible effect on residents* of the WOS site. The situation is dependent on the continuing presence of the ... (low porosity) cryptomeria shelter belt.

*Note: Residents refers to the majority of people who will exhibit "average response" to low levels of spray drift (work place exposure standards 1994).

People who are very sensitive to minute quantities of agrichemical spray drift (Watts, 1994) may be susceptible to lesser amounts.

The Report concluded by stating that the levels of spray residue that may drift onto the WOS property will be unlikely to pose a threat to the health of the residents* in the foreseeable future. Subject to the continued prudent use of agrichemicals by the adjoining land-owner and the maintenance of a low porosity, evergreen shelter belt between the sprayed blocks and the WOS site.

(Extracts are from the Lincoln Ventures Ltd. report.)

Editor's Note: The club may now seek a rehearing of their Resource Management Application.

CORIO VALLEY NUDIST CLUB

This is the first of the new format of Corio Calling, our information bulletin to the various Nudist Clubs, which will be distributed every quarter.

Our A.G.M. was held in October, with Greg being elected as President, Graham, Vice President, and John C. as Secretary once more.

There have been a number of projects going on at Corio; our toilet block has been lined, which will eliminate some of those nasty draughts that whistle through in winter. Many thanks to Bernie.

The weekend of 26th/27th November 1994 saw the Nudist Association of Victoria delegates' meeting at Corio, coinciding with our Open Day. Raelene and Jack organised a great social day and barbeque.

We have seen a large number of trees planted throughout the club grounds. These will provide a lot of extra shade when they grow, and add considerably to the greening of Australia.

The next Open Day at Corio, will be on 19th February 1995; Members of any Club may feel free to visit then, or at any other time. We would take this opportunity to advise our members that they may stay for day, weekend, or weekly sojourns at our campsites, provided they have current passports and make prior arrangements, to either the President or Secretary, P.O. Box 379, Geelong. 3220; or by phoning Pres. Greg 052 441947. Sec. John 052 436059. The rates are:

$15 for a weekend campsite. $10 for the day visit (not applicable on open days).

Long serving committee members, John and Dawn, stepped down for a well earned rest this year, after a mammoth 23 years' service.

Graham

AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

Well, we did our bit to ease last year's water shortage in the Auckland area. A large plastic rainwater tank has been installed. Despite large donations of material, fittings and labour, this project has somewhat depleted our reserve funds. It is hoped that the tank will be enough to keep the pool topped up during the summer.

Two of our more industrious ladies are pleased that they no longer have to spend nearly half a day every weekend cleaning toilets, kitchen and clubhouse in general. We now have an exceedingly industrious fellow, keeping the place shipshape. And with a good man on pool maintenance, the place has never looked so grand. The combined Auckland clubs open day, hosted by A.O.H.C., was a well publicised and well attended affair. With all clubs benefiting by new members and increased publicity, some members reluctantly leave it until the summer season to rejoin, which places a strain on the committee when planning financial or social activities.

Compared with other clubs, A.S.C. had a high proportion of members attending the rally at Canterbury. Unfortunately we were not represented as a club in any of the sports or social activities. It must be said however that one act in the Percy Cousins Trust Concert consisted mainly of our members.

The rally itself was mainly fine except for one rainy day which quickly soaked into the pebbly Canterbury soil. A colossal amount of work must go into the planning and running of a rally and as is usual on such occasions, the efforts were a great success. If the volume of noise coming from the marquee and the cheers, from the sports field were anything to go by, everyone had a very enjoyable time. Well done Canterbury, we look forward to next year's Rally in Wellington.

MANAWATU OUTDOOR LEISURE CLUB INC.

No doubt some of you will be aware that we have changed our name from Palmerston North Sun Club Inc. to Manawatu Outdoor Leisure Club Inc.

The new name has now been ratified by the appropriate authorities and we have their seal of approval. The decision to proceed with a name change was passed at our Annual General Meeting in August 1994.

This followed some 12 months of discussions etc with club members, and it was no doubt influenced by articles and reports published in daily newspapers, and the In Touch supplements that we receive from time to time, with regard to the harmful effects of sun, sunburn and melanoma etc.

We are confident that under our new name, we will be able to promote and market our life-style and facilities in a more open and professional manner, and thereby increase our membership, which has been a concern, not only for us but I'm sure for other clubs throughout the country.

Michael Horgan

HIBISCUS COAST SUN CLUB

Hello everyone ... So that was Christmas and New Year! Many of us took advantage of the fine weather and toddled off with our tents, vans and frying pans and visited other clubs around the country and no doubt made a few new friends along the way. Old Wayne billeted himself at the Bay of Plenty Sun Club for nearly three weeks with Marie and Julie and went back to nature. He used a nearby stream as a fridge to keep his beer cool, caught and skinned possums for dinner, and grew a beard down to his waist.

David and Desma, Jack and Val, Malcolm, Alison and the girls also spent time there but didn't leave civilisation as far behind as caveman Wayne.

(We had to rely on wimpy supermarket food, ice-creams and bottled wine. Some visitors from AOHC were even more civilised and we would have an 11 am gin and tonic before miniten). David and Desma went on to Rotota and had a good time there bobbing about on the lake. Brian and Anne went bush in the South Island and got as far as the Dunedin area. All of which left our club a little denuded over that period and the few camping visitors we had - (Holland and Denmark origin) left remarks about the club grounds being lovely but lonely!

What other news is there? Due to public demand, we are installing a telephone again in the clubhouse so that visitors and members don't feel quite as cut off from the world.

Swim nights at the hot pools in Helensville will re-start on the 25th of February and will be held on the last Saturday of each month until November. Put these dates in your diaries now! March 25th, April 29th, May 27th, June 24th, July 29th, August 26th, September 30th, October 28th and November 25th. These sessions were well attended last year by ourselves and other clubs and prove to be a continuing success. For more information if you haven't been before, give Jim a call. Phone (09) 525 6067.

Best wishes to all from "Kirikau".

CANTERBURY SUN CLUB

Summer at Pineglades this year has been exceptionally busy. Many people were involved with all the preparations for the Rally - work was done around the grounds, all the plans were made for the sports and social events, for meals, the shop, and all the mechanics of organising over 300 people.

The Canterbury climate played along with us, and although the continuing hot dry weather worries farmers and gardeners, it certainly pleased us, and the pool has been the most popular place on the grounds.

Photo: Les Olsen

The Club sports programme has continued, the BBQ area attracts people in the evenings, and it has been fun to meet the many visitors who have called.

A group of us spent a fun weekend at the South Canterbury Sun Club near Geraldine, and spent hours trying to improve our skills and cunning moves at petanque, a great game which can be enjoyed by young and old and which requires no special facilities other than the boules. We are sure that the rest of the summer will bring many more hours of enjoyment to all our members.

NEW ZEALAND NUDIST FEDERATION INC.

The 35th Annual General Meeting of the N.Z.N.F. was held at 'Pineglades Canterbury on 28th December 1994. There was a very large attendance of club delegates with Bay of Plenty and Southern Sun the only two clubs not represented.

The principal topic of discussion was the proposal to adopt a new marketing logo. Earnest discussion took place with the decision being that the wording 'GO Natural' - clothes-free recreation' was acceptable to the majority whilst it was decided to seek further submissions on a more representative logo instead of the 'footsteps'

Les Olsen, the President for the past five years stood down from office to take over the responsibility as Editor of the N.Z.N.F. quarterly magazine "The New Zealand Naturist." Graeme Brown, the Editor for the past 14 years was thanked for his efforts over such a long period of time. Also retiring from office was Peter Holt - Secretary N.Z.N.F. His contribution in upgrading the management side of the Federation; particularly with the computerisation of many records, was greatly appreciated. Joyce Mullen - S.I.V.P. also relinquished her position and was thanked most sincerely for her past efforts.

The new officers for 1995 are as follows; President: Brent Johnson - A.O.H.C.; N.I.V.P: Stan Gartner - Waikato; S.I.V.P: Kay Burrows - Canterbury; Secretary: Peter Moosberger - A.S.C.; Treasurer: Ian Miller - S.A.S.C.; PRO: Delia Adams - A.O.H.C.

The additional appointments are Editor NZ Naturist: Les Olsen - A.O.H.C. and Business Manager: Frank Murphy - A.O.H.C.

Effort will continue to promote the N.Z.N.F. through newspaper articles such as the recent effort by the NZ Women's Weekly. This article drew a very positive response with a number of people joining clubs during the very hot, fine summer.

WAIKATO OUTDOOR SOCIETY

Isn't it simply amazing. A new magazine comes onto the market and they race into print with just about anything they can get their hands on. What was brought to my attention was the article on the Waikato Outdoor Society. The author of this article must be in touch with some being other than the earthly type. Had he/she bothered to check the facts properly, they would have discovered that in the past, there had been several rumblings of dissatisfaction that the location of the Mt Pirongia grounds was too far from the city.

Photo: Les Olsen

The visits to the club, by some of the members who protested so strongly against the Mt Pirongia sale, could be counted on one hand. And this over a period of some four or so years. The club membership list was dropping continuously and the able bodied members who were responsible for the upkeep and general tidiness of the property were, more than a little disgruntled by the fact that after spending some three or four hours of mowing the hillside, and the playing area, there was not enough members on-site to organise a game of volleyball.

The fact that the sale of the Mt Pirongia site and the death of the gentleman mentioned in the article in question occurred at roughly the same time, was purely coincidental.

The Waikato Outdoor Society's committee felt that with the falling membership and the rising costs of maintaining the facilities, plus the costs of the chemicals for the pool and the fuel for the lawn mowers, it was only a matter of time before the club folded up completely. In this day and age it is simply not good sense to keep pouring money into a project that is on a down hill slide, no matter how good the view is.

It has been touted around by some of the longer serving members that WE could have raised funds by debentures, to keep the old site running. No matter how sentimental those grounds were, the reality was that we had to move to survive. In reply to the statement that we had a fifty acre paradise on the shoulder of a mountain, that is correct. It was not stated that only three and a half acres of it was usable. We were NOT prepared to spend huge amounts of money, which we did not have, in development.

In the article, the author/s go to great lengths to emphasise the difficulties that the Waikato Outdoor Society is experiencing at this time. That the Waikato Outdoor Society's committee is prepared to put in the time and effort that will ensure that the Greater Waikato will be served with a Naturist facility that will be the equal of any in the country, makes the decision to move from the Mt Pirongia site, the correct one.

The objections of the neighbours to the Waikato Club is typical of the bigoted and narrow-minded attitude that is prevalent in today's society. I would have thought that any publication which is supposed to be in favour of promoting the Naturist Movement would have been a little more sympathetic towards any club which has the guts and determination to overcome any difficulty which today's society attempts to inflict on them.

The only restrictions that have been placed on the Waikato Outdoor Society at this time are that we are unable to hold organised activities on our grounds, or to camp overnight. We are, in fact, entitled to do what any legal landowner is entitled to do on his or her property, AND THAT INCLUDES BEING UNCLOTHED!!!

Colin

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB

Some thirty-four members travelled south to Canterbury for the 'Mardi Gras' Rally at 'Pineglades.'

The event was well planned with some 300 persons in attendance each day. Our members acquitted themselves well throughout the sports competitions gaining first place in all the darts finals and being confident runners-up in the open volleyball and Top Team. The men's swimming trophy, ladies miniten doubles and the bowls pairs trophies also returned to "Oran ui" Thanks Canterbury for a great time.

Over recent weekends the club swimming sports have been held with a small but enthusiastic group involved in this. The main feature was the Anniversary weekend activities with cricket, volleyball and top team. This proved to be a delightful competition with six teams taking part. Again the "Gummy Bares" proved too strong for the competition which included for the first time, a team from ROTOTA.

The Saturday night social/dance was certainly a highlight and the guitar player Phillip finally leaving for home at around 3 am on Sunday morning.

Excellent weather contributed to a very enjoyable occasion. The chicken on a spit again proved to be very popular and provided a very social evening for members and visitors alike.

NELSON SUN CLUB

With another year gone, so much has happened here at Sunrise. Half a dozen willow trees were cut down to give us wood for the chip heater to provide our hot water. Two soak pits were dug for the run off water, the creek cleaned out, the road upgraded and a new caravan park made.

Bill our "garage sale" man, got a toddlers' pool and put it in the old one which leaked and a new liner for the big pool was also purchased.

On Labour Weekend we had our 25th Jubilee celebration, a great time was had by all. We got a pen printed to mark the occasion (no pun intended).

Nearer winter, we have two projects lined up. Building a second ablution block, with the blocks coming from the foundations of a glass house and also power points to be added to the new caravan park.

We extend a warm welcome to members of other clubs, and whilst here at "Sunrise' make use of our 18 hole golf course. We can guarantee plenty of sunshine.

Doug S

ROTOTA SUN CLUB INC.

Being in Christchurch on business mid-November, Kay and Stanton welcomed me to C.S.C. for their open day. Great fun playing volleyball with the local fire brigade. I hope some of their visitors become members, particularly with the way the grounds looked in preparation for the rally.

Middle of January, and a flying visit to the Queen's Pictures in Wellington. A quick stop at Wellington S.C., to say hello to Bevan and June, then to P.N.S.C. for their mini-rally. Not that we planned to stay there, of course! The trip down was so hot that Sharryn and I called in for a swim, Madlyn and Geoffrey said that a tent was there, so we had to return. How could we refuse?

Visitors from all over the lower North Island were present in lovely fine weather. The sports were played hard but not too seriously, lots of swimming (temp 26°!), and lots of serious relaxation. As Madlyn said, "When not at your own club, it's nice not to worry about who is doing what chore." So right.

Thanks for the hospitality, everyone. It's a nice feeling to be welcomed at a club, and great to meet again with friends.

The South Islanders are alive and well, and some are turning into old bits of wood. Sorry, Norm. That should read "turning old bits of wood."

End of the travelogue - on with Rotota news: good weather, great visitors and great fun!

Visitors are always welcome. Graham

'NATURIST WALKERS'

I sit down to write this letter at 8.00am on Thursday, 8 December. Already the sun is dazzling in a clear blue sky. The weather has turned really hot and calm - a perfect day for the beach. But take heed - it's quick burn time at this time of the year, so don't be tempted to lie in the sun before four in the afternoon. Some of us turned a bit pink after our last walk. Wearing nothing but a hat, shoes and rucksack, we strode (scrambled?) along the cliff tops feeling pleasantly cooled by the breeze. One is hardly aware of the sun's heat when it is counteracted by a cool easterly: but beware! After you get home you will kick yourself for not being more careful.

Our 'NATURIST WALKERS' is a very pleasant group of people. In mid-November was our first outing to Woodend Beach. Despite a grotty weather forecast, 12 people turned up at the meeting place. (Nine Adults, two children and a 4-month-old baby in a backpack.) The Pegasus Track proved unsatisfactory, so we made for the beach. The changing sky and fast-moving clouds were fascinating to watch. A brief hailstorm quickly passed to be followed amazingly by sunshine. Appropriately undressed, a couple of us ran down to the sea, which was at low tide. The dip was very brief, but the short run on a brisk windy day was exhilarating - "like a body massage!"

The next day, fine and sunny - several of our members turned up for the "Pineglades" Open Day. We enjoyed the spa-sauna, a look round the grounds, afternoon tea and a friendly get- together with other naturists.

On Tuesday, 29th Nov; nine of us joined in the walk from Taylors Mistake to a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay. The weather was overcast but calm with a fine drizzle, which we all agreed was quite enjoyable, as was the companionable atmosphere.

Photo: Doug Ball

AN ANECDOTE FROM OUR LAST OUTING (Camp Bay to Little Port Cooper) We call ourselves "Naturist Walkers" and since there was no-one around, we decided to go "au-naturel." "So what," we chatted, "if some people don't know the difference between a naturist and a naturalist. There's not much difference anyway," we said, as we stopped to look at the little butterflies which thronged around the native flora. Continuing along the narrow sheep-track on the side of the cliff and rounding a bend, we suddenly found ourselves face to face - or should I say, full frontal? - with a textile couple approaching in the opposite direction. What could we do but smile politely and say, "Good afternoon?"

They took it in good part.

"Is this the Sun Club outing?" they said, as we passed by and continued on our way.

Enough for now: catch you later!

Joyce Fleming

WELLINGTON SUN CLUB

On the first weekend of January, two of our members were married on the club grounds. Ninety guests attended, and although the wind was a little strong, I'm sure they all took a very favourable view of the club away with them.

Wellington picked up a number of trophies this year at the "Mardi Gras" rally - Steve and Christine and their family holding up the side well. Ideas from the rally have already surfaced at our own "Hollywood" planning sessions.

The number of overseas visitors stopping at our grounds for one or two nights on their travels, is heartening. It is always surprising how many turn up without prior notice.

The Manawatu Outdoor Leisure Club held the Mini-Rally this year over our anniversary weekend. (WSC held it for the last two.) About twenty adults and ten youngsters from WSC, thoroughly enjoyed the company and the weather - the pool being especially tempting. Thank you MOLC. A number of the members will be off to Rotota for Waitangi weekend.

Back home we have a number of sports and social events organised until Easter. The felling of the remainder of the big pines on the bottom lawn has just started, and the stairs for the new mezzanine floor above the stage will be installed soon. Hurray for Hollywood!

Chester Holmes

SOUTH CANTERBURY SUN CLUB

What an interesting summer our club has had. Things are moving along just fine. Seven of us attended the Mardi Gras Rally at Pineglades. This is the first time that our club has been represented at a rally for a few years. A big plus for us was being awarded the Mowlem Trophy Shield with a 40% increase in membership for the 1994 year.

Our grounds are looking great and have been well used and enjoyed by members and many visitors from other clubs.

The swimming pool fence had to be heightened to comply with council bylaws, and this became a priority before the summer. What an asset the pool has been to the enjoyment of many.

Over the weekend of 21-22nd January we hosted our South Canty weekend. Best wishes were sent our way from Pineglades, Orchard, Southern Sun and Alpine Lakes. We really appreciate your support. On the Saturday a very successful Miniten Yankee Tournament got underway. The three joint winners were Des - Counties Sun, Ken - South Canty and Nigel from Pineglades. Many enjoyed playing Petanque through till dark. The pool was well used as 30°C was recorded that day. In the evening a potluck BBQ was enjoyed by all.

Sunday dawned very windy but warm. It didn't deter us all from packing up a picnic lunch and heading about 5km into Orari Gorge to a lovely spot at the river. Many braved the water for a swim.

To everyone who supported us in any way, we would like to extend to you a very big "Thank you". Without you our summer wouldn't have been as happy and as successful as it has been.

Photo: Les Olsen

Letters to the Editor

Personal preferences aside I believe that the collective noun by which we identify ourselves does indeed matter. As Joyce has made clear, different dictionaries and different editions of the same dictionaries may not give words the same definitions, or even include them, mostly because common usage changes over time and by region. So, even though it would lend weight to my argument, and even though Joyce's 1989 Greater Oxford says nothing of "nature" in its definition of "naturism' I shall not resort again to my 1983 edition of the Shorter Oxford. Rather, let us consider "connotations in the minds of society at large", which appear to be Joyce's main concern. No less are they mine.

What is the connotation of "naturist"? Joyce wants to connote enjoyment of the natural environment, but do hikers, bird-watchers, gardeners, weekend motorists and many others enjoy the natural environment any less than nudists? Each of these groups can be identified from the others not by the fact that it enjoys the environment but by how it enjoys the environment. Nudists enjoy it with their clothes off. "Naturists" connotes something to do with nature but certainly not nakedness, and I think that is exactly the wish of naturists afraid of what others may think of their pastime. "Naturist" is a fuzzy word; because its meaning is unclear it is used for its qualities of obscurity and concealment.

Now what is "society at large" likely to think of people who like to socialise sans clothes but obfuscate by describing themselves as "naturists"? I suggest that "society's" answer would be either that we are ashamed of what we do, or else that when we congregate we do rather more than we care to admit. Are these the connotations we want in other people's minds?

Since my article appeared this same question has been taken up in the Oct-Dec 1994 issue (No.48) of Australia Sun and Health, by Mary Weston, Public Relations Officer for the Australian Nudist Federation. In 1968 that organisation changed its name from the Australian Federation of Sun Clubs to the Australian Naturist Federation, and again to the Australian Nudist Federation in 1974-75. Now, it appears, there is a move afoot to revert from "Nudist" to "Naturist" in the title and Mary puts a very cogent argument against such a change. It would, she says, erode the understanding and trust that has developed in the wider community since naturists began calling themselves what they are, nudists. I commend her article to your readers.

Alan Williamson
Rotorua

The Editor,

I am Secretary of T.A.N. this year and am an occasional reader of your good NZ Naturist.

I realise Tassie with its similar country and climate may not be attractive to NZ tourists, but should any of your good folk be coming our way, they would be most welcome. We, ourselves have made some good NZ friends while holidaying in Queensland on numerous occasions.

Give our best wishes to Leo and Thelma whom we met on Fa-fa Island.

Paul Johnson
Tasmania Association of Nudists

The Editor

I would like to express my wholehearted support for a Communication Corner in the N.Z. Naturist.

I have been writing to pen friends since I was eleven years of age after joining a Pen Pal club which ran in the Australian Sunday Sun newspaper. I am now thirty three and I must say that I've met some very interesting people and learned lots about places which I will probably never have the opportunity to visit the world over. I have also made some great friends too.

One excellent advantage is that for a naturist/nudist to find pen friends from the pages of a naturist mag gives one common ground right from the start, weather young or old (mature). Everything else just seems to fit into place from there on as we all seem to have very similar ideals in life, just different variations.

So come on everyone, support this man, at least writing letters gets you away from the 'IDIOT box'

David Jeffries
Tweed Heads, N.S.W.

The Editor

Thank you for publishing my articles regarding the Mardi Gras Rally and the Women Only Day in your September issue. It was great to see them in print. I hope the message in the latter article is understood by a wide range of readers and may encourage others to dust off the PC and contribute an article.

The C.S.C. Rally Team would also like to thank you and your editorial staff for your assistance in advertising the Mardi Gras Rally over the past year.

I am sure that the publicity given freely by the Naturist has certainly contributed to the number of people particularly from the North Island who registered for the event.

Kay Burrows
Canterbury Sun Club

The Editor

I was surprised that my Guest Editorial (Issue No. 149) drew no more than three responses. One was a telephone call from a friend who, like us, had become a naturist/nudist since we last met many years ago. He phoned simply to renew contact and made little comment on the article. The second response was a note from a person well-known in the New Zealand nudist / naturist world congratulating me on the article and lamenting that similar views are not published for a wider public readership, but disagreeing firmly with the last paragraph wherein I suggested that we are, and should call ourselves, nudists rather than naturists.

The third response was Joyce Fleming's thoughtful article in Issue No. 151, which too addresses the question: Are we nudists or naturists? As she says, we could debate this till the cows come home so let me try to hurry the cows. What we call ourselves as individuals certainly is a matter of personal preference. How do we honestly think of ourselves? My note writer when naked feels more at home where he blends with Nature rather than with other naked people, so quite understandably regards himself as a naturist. Joyce also expresses her love of intimacy with Nature, which, I suggest, is balm to the soul of the clothed as well as the unclothed. Perhaps the intimacy is greater when naked but this is a matter of degree and the difference surely is not great. In the sense of intimacy with Nature anyone can be a naturist alone or with their partner, so why do we seek the company of others?

The answer, I think, lies in the social aspect of group nudity, particularly the pleasure derived at the sight of other's nakedness and the trust that is exchanged by mutual nudity. There is nothing but their nakedness that is "naturist" about European and North American nudists gathering indoors through the long northern winters. They meet to be together, not to be at one with Nature.

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. 152 March 1995

The New Zealand Naturist is the Official Journal published quarterly by the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc. Registered at the Chief Post Office Wellington as a magazine.

Editor:

Les Olsen

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

or

PO Box 101-187
North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland 1330

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

President: Brent Thomson
Auckland (09) 279-4751

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Doug Ball - P1, P11, CENTRE, P15

P19, I B.C.

Les Olsen - F.C., I.F.C., P2, P3, P4,

P10, CENTRE, P14, P15A,

P17, P18, P20, P21, B.C.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

153 June 1995 - 20 April 1995

154 September 1995 - 25 June 1995

155 December 1995 - 1 October 1995

156 March 1996 - 30 January 1996