The Turning Tide...?

Today I received and saved another media story on the topic of naturism.

Each year at their AGM, the NZNF presents a number of Press Prizes and one of the awards is for Best Article selected from non-naturist media, so for this purpose I ensure a copy of all media stories on naturism are kept on file.

This year the file is growing at an astonishing rate, but not for the reasons that you might think. 

So far, nine non-naturist media stories have been added and they are all, on the whole, positive. One has a very disappointing headline - which has been addressed with the newspaper involved - but all the journalists have displayed a good understanding in the content of the article of genuine naturists and the naturist lifestyle.

Two journalists have even written of their own recent experiences at a club or naturist park and one of those stories has so far made it into two major newspapers around the country - in the Escape section of one newspaper and in the "LIFE" lift-out magazine in the other! 

They say the best form of advertising is word of mouth. No price can pay for the sort of exposure stories like this can get us. And, without prompting, they recognised the place for such an article is in lifestyle sections like "escape" and "life". This goes right along with some of the philosophies we try to explain that naturism is about and we couldn't have put it better! 

In years gone past, a lot of the articles have been around tensions at recognised clothing optional beaches where recently arrived residents have been up in arms about the nude beach-goers. And last year there were very few media stories at all.

So what can we read into the spate of more positive, almost inquisitively themed, stories?

It might be too soon to say, but I would love to think that there is a turn in society towards tolerance of all people and all lifestyles. That even though naturism is not necessarily something everyone wants to take part in, that those who do are not shunned or thought of as weird or even perverts. 

Regardless of how long this current "love affair" with the media continues, the NZNF intends to make the most of their seeming understanding and acceptance towards naturism. 

We will continue to call them on misleading headlines and incorrect content, but we will also acknowledge and thank them when they get it right and regard the subject with objective intelligence and thoughtfulness.

So, what do you think? Are we seeing the start of a turning tide...? 

What Does Naturism Mean To You?

Naturism, nudism, skinny-dipping, clothes-free! It might have a lot of names but just one meaning…nude recreation! Non-sexual nudity.

What words would you use to describe what naturism means to you? 

You don't have to use the same words as everyone else - each person and their experience is real and unique to them.

Membership to a club doesn't mean that you're suddenly a naturist. And just because you prefer to only go without clothes at home doesn't mean that you aren't. 

It is not important whether you stroll along a nude beach or garden au naturel with the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. 

What is important is the freedom you feel and the benefits - which are numerous - that you discover in your body and mind. 

Why not share the words you would use to describe what naturism/nudism/clothes-free means to you...it might help someone to find their own words of what naturism means to them.

Going back to study...

In an attempt to connect with young people and share with them the joys and benefits of nude recreation and enjoying life naked, I contacted the tertiary organisations in the Auckland area. It's Orientation Week for a lot of these institutions so they are holding events and club information days/expos.

Today, with the help of Rick the Auckland region contact for Free Beaches NZ Inc. we set up a stall at Unitec Institute of Technology and chatted for four hours to students and staff and handed out flyers - starting with 100, coming home with 39.

What was our message? That it's not illegal; that it's beneficial for the body and mind; that it's a great way to unwind; that it brings you close to nature; and so much more. We talked about skinny-dipping and about being able to enjoy the experience at any time in appropriate places - and not just in the middle of the night after you've had a few. And we talked about the mutual respect and understanding amongst genuine naturists. 

The response was wide and varied as I suppose you could imagine. 

There were giggles and sniggers; there was polite consideration and genuine interest; and there were some shocked "goodness no thank you"s and some wouldn't even look at us. But each one left with a smile and a friendly experience.

At one stage in life I would have giggled behind my hand too so have to understand their reactions - especially in front of their friends. But, for lack of another metaphor, the seed has been sown and you just don't know when it will grow. 

We chatted to people of all cultures - from Asian and Indian to Island students. We even got a group of Island boys to hand some flyers out. 

We found the organiser very accommodating and supportive and would love to have us back again. The flyers we came home with will be sent to the student associations of tertiary organisations around the country in the hope they will put them on a noticeboard where even one student might see it and become interested. 

It was a lot of fun and I believe very valuable. 

Clubs, Naturist Parks and Organisations Around NZ

We've created a Kiwi-style (trying to be "arty") impression of where clubs are around the country. 

Go to: http://gonatural.co.nz/uploads/images/Club%20Map.pdf 

to get the interactive map.

They're not exact locations so please do not set your GPS to it but mostly they're in the right general direction. 

The exception are the three national organisations (Free Beaches NZ Inc, NZ Nudvan Club and NZ Naturists) which we've added to the South Island because it's the larger island and has fewer locations. 

You will be directed to the club/organisation website when you click on a name. 

Go to http://gonatural.co.nz/uploads/images/Club%20Map.pdf 

to get the interactive map.

gonatural Magazine Issue #225 June 2013

The June 2013 #225 edition of gonatural Magazine has now been printed and is in the process of being sent out. If you're a subscriber then your copy shouldn't be too far away from your letterbox, or your email that the digital version is available.

In this Issue #225:

It’s great to hear of various mid-winter dinners and other social events coming up over the next few months, indicating that although summer has finished, clubs never close and continue to socialise over autumn and winter.

Autumn also signals our end of year audit. Riveting stuff in a naturist magazine, but by now most businesses and clubs may have completed their financial accounts and will use this as a basis for planning ahead. NZNF Communications Officer, Donna Miller, provides sound practical ideas to make use of the quieter time over the winter to put your “business plan” together.

This issue features a wide range of naturist events including the 21st birthday of Alpine Lakes Naturist Club celebrated in Central Otago; Skinnydip Tours comprising 32 Australians who enjoyed the hospitality of the lower North Island; and an endless summer of fun with Bay of Plenty Naturists.

When you think of Thailand, you don’t immediately think of naturism, but with its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, it is reported to be the ideal place to practise it.

Over the ditch (the Tasman Sea that is) a houseboat on the Murray River provided the basis of a great naturist holiday for ten Auckland naturists; while back home here in Marlborough, everyone’s expectations of the Nude Adventure on the River Queen were more than exceeded with a chorus of “we’ll do this again next year”.

Nude with Attitude was launched in superb style at the Millennium Art Gallery in Blenheim to a receptive cross-section of friends, neighbours and business associates.

The Naked Overlanders crossed some pretty spectacular countryside in South Canterbury and Central Otago, taking some interesting “holiday snaps” along the way.

Still in South Canterbury - Hot Tubs in Omarama - a great place for the “wrinkly rams” to warm up after their nude dinner the previous evening.

After ten years, World Naked Bike Ride is the longest running and largest global protest that has no money backers and is run by volunteers around the world. Three rides are held in New Zealand; Golden Bay, Central Otago and Tauranga.

In the middle of March, in Middlemarch, The Orchard hosts the annual K-Cup Yankee Miniten Tournament and in Canterbury, Pineglades held a Piscean Night for several Pineglades members celebrating their birthdays under the star sign.

Next year, make a plan to take part in some of these events. Better still, plan your year ahead to include an event and tell us about it in the pages ofgonatural and on the website.

If you don't currently receive the magazine then you can subscribe to either the printed or digitial version by here. 

The New Age of Aquarius is almost here...

It's a little over seven weeks until naturists from around the country, and some from around the world, get to reunite in Wellington at the 61st NZNF Rally. 

Every year the New Zealand Naturist Federation holds an annual rally to coincide with their AGM.  The rally runs for 7 days from 28 December to 3 January each year and includes a full sports programme, with trophies fiercely fought for, and the host club puts on entertainment each day and evening.

This year the Rally will be hosted by Wellington Naturist Club at their grounds in Te Marua, Upper Hutt.

The theme for the Rally is "A New Age of Aquarius"...come and celebrate with us as we farewell the last Age of Pisces and welcome in the new Age of Aquarius. 

We will be looking back at the last Age, celebrating the food, the fashion, the music, and then looking ahead to the New Age of Aquarius.

The Festival will be a chance to reconnect with old friends, make some new ones, a time to "reboot" and time to imagine what the new era could be like...and New Years Eve is going to be a blast.

The programme is exciting...from surfing hippies and Lady Gaga to Radio Gaga...there is an activity day and night to suit every "child of universe".

We want to promote a positive awareness of naturism both locally and nationally. As part of "imagining the future" we want to look at where we, as naturists, might be in the future.

There is still time to register...you can download a registration form here or contact registrations@wellingtonnaturists.co.nz for more information.

We hope to see you in Wellington and look forward to heralding the "New Age of Aquarius" with you.

61st NZNF Naturist Festival - Wellington 2012/13

Every year, the NZ Naturist Federation holds an annual rally to coincide with the Annual General Meeting.  The rally runs for 7 days from 28 December to 3 January each year and includes a full sports programme, with trophies fiercely fought for.  In addition, the host club puts on entertainment each day and evening.

In 2012-13 the 61st NZNF Rally will be hosted by Wellington Naturist Club.

Come and celebrate as we farewell the last 'Age of Pisces' and welcome in the 'New Age of Aquarius'. 

We will be looking back at the last Age, celebrating the food, the fashion, the music, and then looking ahead to the New Age of Aquarius. 

The Festival will be a chance to reconnect with old friends, make some new ones, a time to "reboot" and time to imagine what the new era could be like. New Years Eve is going to be a blast. 

Wellington Naturist Club have a dedicated festival committee working on an exciting programme, with plenty of activities during the day and evening - the Programme will be available shortly.

We want to promote a positive awareness of naturism both locally and nationally. As part of "imagining the future" we want to look at where we, as naturists, might be in the future.

For as little as $150 p/person ($140 p/person if paid in full by 31 October 2012) you can treat yourself to a wonderful holiday from 28 December 2012 until 3 January 2013 on the Wellington Naturist Club grounds at Te Marua, Upper Hutt.

Register and pay in full by 31 October 2012 and pay only $140 p/person, plus go into a draw for a free festival.

Click here for a registration form.

- Ken Mercer (Festival Co-ordinator)