Roman Rotota Campout is here...

Every year the New Zealand Naturist Federation holds a Festival to coincide with their AGM.  The festival runs for 7 days from 28 December to 3 January and the host club or affiliate presents themed entertainment each day and evening.

This year the 62nd NZNF Festival will be hosted by Rotota Sun Club at their grounds on the sunny shores of Lake Ohakuri, not far from Rotorua, Tokoroa and Taupo - which is where they take their name.

The theme for the Festival this year is "Roman Rotota Campout"…they say for every two hundred metres you travel down their driveway, you travel back two hundred years in time. Back to a time when gladiators and chariot races provided entertainment for the rich and powerful; a time of slave auctions and catapult competitions; and a time where a Goddess was totally pampered.

These Festivals are a chance to reconnect with old friends and a chance to make some new ones…a time to relax and "reboot” enjoying clothes-free recreation together.

Rotota is one of those few magical places left on earth where there’s no cellphone or internet coverage…a place where you can truly get away from it all and unwind without the entrapments of technology and equipment that we think we need around us.

So come along, bring your toga, and join us for lots of fun, and some well-deserved R&R.

To find out more about the naturist community in New Zealand, check out our website: www.gonatural.co.nz.

And for more information about the Roman Rotota Campout please contact either Keith – Rotota President – rotota.president@gonatural.co.nz, or Donna – NZNF Communications Officer – nznf.pro@gonatural.co.nz.

gonatural Magazine Issue #227 December 2013

The editorial direct from the Managing Editor's desk in the just printed next issue of gonatural Magazine:

This issue is dedicated to my friend, Bevan Tong, who died 19 September 2013. In his obituary for Bevan, Ken Mercer outlines the tremendous input Bevan gave to the Wellington Naturist Club as well as his support for naturism in general. Many of us will remember Bevan for his mischievous humour, and his ability to enthuse others. Bevan shared his love of life with June and their families to whom we express our deepest sympathy.

In this issue we report that NZNF Communications Officer, Donna Miller is gearing up for summer, bringing you a number of ideas for gonatural Week in January, and in her article ‘Young naturals’ she asks the hard questions while at the same time presents her ideas on how to get youth interested in naturism.

At the other end of the spectrum we introduce INF President, Sieglinde Ivo, with her address to the 60th anniversary celebration at Montalivet in France. Brian and I were fortunate to arrive at Montalivet in time for the festivities and happily re-acquainted ourselves with several others in our worldwide naturist community, including Christianne LeClerc now aged 102, whom we first met in Paris in 2000.

Another old friend with whom we had met that same year, also felt very lucky to participate in the ceremony: INF Honorary President, Charles Obergfell. Four years after the INF was formed, Charles discovered naturism as a 19 year old on the Ile du Levant.

Prior to the celebration, I attended a workshop on Youth in Naturism which generated an interesting discussion. A summary of this workshop will be available on the website: www.inf-fni.org

On a recent visit to a naturist resort in France, Stephane Deschanes was struck by the multitude of people wearing clothing away from the beach and pool, and sets out to understand the reasons why.

FreeBeaches NZ had a party – an AGM party. To celebrate our summer issue we feature a number of beaches that are frequented by naturists. I’m sure you have others, and we would like to hear about them.

Meanwhile the Naturist Association of Thailand held their second annual conference at the naturist friendly Chan Resort in Pattaya.

Visiting France is always a pleasure and we bring you some delightful photos of family and friends in our feature article ‘l’Eglantière Rose.’

John Lowe suggests if you’re heading north (in New Zealand that is), call in to see Ross and Raewyn. You’ll discover a rather dark naked lady and several emus. The beach nearby is pretty good also.

While travelling in Australia, a couple of Kiwi tourists found ‘a naturist facility with enjoyment plus’ run by another two Kiwis who may be familiar to many of our readers.

Life-long naturist, Joyce Fleming, brings you more than a book review on ‘Pond Life. A swimmers journal.’ The author, Al Alvarez, has been swimming year round in the ponds at Hampstead Heath, London, since he was eleven years old. Now he is eighty.

Enjoy your summer.

Kay Hannam

Managing Editor