Nude Gardening Day

New Zealand will hold its first 'National Gardening Week Nude Gardening Day' on October 20th this year. 

National Garden Week, brought to you by Yates NZ, is held in the middle of October each year and this year, for the first time, is including Nude Gardening Day in its line up of activities. 

Following publicity in May this year of World Naked Gardening Day and the Southern Hemisphere conditions being less than favourable for gardening without clothes in New Zealand, a decision was made to shift the date to a more inviting time of year. 

After an approach by Yates NZ, we decided to align our nude gardening event with their National Gardening Week which has goals - fostering a love of gardening with a focus on growing not only plants but friendships, good health, strong communities and closer connections with nature - very similar to the fundamentals of naturism. 

This year, National Gardening Week is focussing on helping butterflies to flourish with a national Swan Plant planting day on October 20th. Butterflies, including the much loved Monarch Butterfly, are key pollinators for our fruit and veges. Last year saw a national shortage of Swan Plants, the main diet of Monarch caterpillars, causing a large number of the population to be wiped out and Yates is getting behind the drive to avert a similar crisis this year. 

The NZNF are thrilled to be onboard with this event, doing our bit to boost butterfly numbers, and highlighting the many benefits of getting outside clothes-fee for a person's mental and physical health and well-being. 

Many of our clubs around the country will be joining the Swan Plant planting day event and we hope that many of you will participate in Nude Gardening Day wherever you can also. 
 

World Naked Gardening Day

The New Zealand Naturist Federation is supporting the annual World Naked Gardening Day event and encouraging people around the country to garden without clothes on this Saturday.

Inspired by the success of the World Naked Bike Ride, the inaugural World Naked Gardening Day took place in September 2005 and in 2007 the event date was moved to the first Saturday in May annually.

Second only to swimming, gardening is at the top of the list of family-friendly activities people are most ready to consider doing nude. Gardening naked is not only a simple joy, but as you feel the sun and breeze on your skin it gives a healthy sense of both our body acceptance and our relation to the nature and the environment.

Anyone can garden, young or old, singles, family or community groups. From planting a herb garden or annuals on an apartment balcony, and families raking leaves in the back yard, to pulling invasive weeds along a bush track and cleaning up a section of beach.

In New Zealand, it is not illegal to be naked on your own property and in appropriate public places, such as beaches or even regional parks. It is not the lack of clothes that is the issue but any bad or deliberately offensive behaviour that goes with it.

Photo credit: Andrew Miller - New Zealand Naturist Federation

The New Zealand Naturist Federation is working to increase greater acceptance of non-sexual social nudity by the general population. Gardening naked, being close to nature and free of clothes in the fresh air all contribute to a sense of inner health and well-being.

But don’t just take our word for it, find out more about the benefits of clothes-free recreation and the naturist community in New Zealand on the New Zealand Naturist Federation website www.gonatural.co.nz.

For Health and Well-being...

Last weekend I completed a Half Marathon - my 7th in fact in as many years.

I am not a naturally sporty person and my time was no amazing feat. I am just a middle aged woman who is trying to look after herself and do something that challenges and stretches me, but that also isn't out of the realms of possibility. I walk my half marathons, I don't attempt to run them - even though many people well in advanced of my age do and good on them. 

Another thing I do for my physical health and well-being is get as much vitamin D as possible via sunshine while doing my normal daily activities - such as gardening or housework - while unclothed.

I am lucky because I can do some of my training walking around the roads of the naturist club that my husband and I belong to. It can get a bit repetitive and boring doing a number of the same 1.25km circuits, but it ticks both boxes - training and clothes-free recreation.

With my recent training, I have had the New Zealand Naturist Federation tag-line going over and over in my head..."For Health and Well-being"!

My body and mind benefit in so many ways - apart from the obvious.

• I feel the breeze and sunlight on my skin - this frees my mind and makes me exhale and breathe out the stresses and concerns I've been holding on to;
• I hear the birds chirping happily and see growth on the trees - this brings me close to nature and gives me an appreciation and respect for the circle of life;
• I feel the freedom and release of not being trapped or bound by clothes - while I still have a purpose and am driven to achieve, I am liberated by the options and choices I can make;
• A contentment washes over me - I am me, and I like me; I am blessed, and I am grateful;

Now I am not suggesting that everyone needs to get training for a half marathon. I am merely sharing some of the physical benefits that I've experienced to my health and well-being.

You could garden in the nude, do housework in the nude or even do your work-outs in the nude on your home equipment. 

Photo credit: Jeff Norman

Used with permission by the NZNF

In fact, did you know that the word "gymnasium" comes from the latinisation of the Greek word gymnos which means "naked", and in essence means "to train naked".

Even if you have physical challenges or limitations I believe there are many things you can do without clothes that will benefit your body and physical well-being.

So, whether working out, tidying up, or enjoying some well-earned downtime, why not consider doing it clothes-free...for your health and well-being.