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.

Under Development...

You might have been wondering why you haven't heard from us much so far this year? 

Well we haven't gone anywhere...we've just been working hard to bring you an awesome new website! 

Having previously just used websites without much thought I now have a much bigger understanding of the complexities that go on "behind the scenes". 

First and foremost is trying to determine what our visitors/users want to know and see now and also to imagine what they could need in the future. 

Once you see it I'm sure you will agree that it fits our scope of works - to have a fresh, modern, professional look and to be visitor engaging and user friendly. 

In the meantime, it is still business as usual at our current site where you will find: 

Our current site

• links to naturist clubs and locations around NZ
• you can subscribe to gonatural magazine
• information on the benefits of naturism
• about the NZNF 
• what's happening around the country
• details of the next Rally
• gonatural branded products

Also, visit our social media pages and "like" or "follow" us there:

Our Google+ profile

Our Pinterest page

Our Twitter profile

Our Facebook page

61st NZNF Rally

The New Age of Aquarius is here...

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 and includes a full sports programme, with trophies fiercely fought for, and the host club presents themed entertainment each day and evening.

This year the 61^st NZNF Rally will be hosted by Wellington Naturist Club at their grounds in Te Marua, Upper Hutt.

The theme for the this year's Rally is "A New Age of Aquarius". We farewell the last Age of Pisces and welcome in the new Age of Aquarius – looking back at the last Age, celebrating the food, fashion, and the music, then looking ahead to what the New Age of Aquarius might bring. The programme is exciting and there is an activity day and night to suit every "child of universe".

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

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

To find out more about the naturist community in New Zealand, check out our website www.gonatural.co.nz. For more information about the 61^st NZNF Rally please contact either Ken Mercer (Festival Co-ordinator) via email registrations@wellingtonnaturists.co.nz or Donna Miller (NZNF Communications Officer) on 027 4800052 or nznf.pro@gonatural.co.nz.

gonatural - December Issue #223 out now!

Hot off the press...the latest issue of gonatural Magazine has just hit letterboxes and magazine stands around the country! 

In this edition there are lots of stories and news from clubs and organisations around New Zealand as well as insights from the recent INF World Congress held at Koversada in Croatia. 

From club improvements and rejuvenation to celebrating milestones with a bang; from enjoying the great outdoors clothes-free to visiting historic gardens - the stories in this issue abound and there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

So make sure you pack this in your travel or beach bag this summer and even if you've finished reading it by then there will be something else you will get from reading it second time around!

To subscribe to receive either the printed or digital edition you can do that here.

Holidays NZnaturallly - Now Available

So it's winter. The lawns aren't growing that fast and the pruning is done; the fire is roaring and you have a lovely cup of tea beside you as you lounge in your comfy armchair. You're dreaming of sunny days and remembering warmer times.  
Why don't you plan your next New Zealand naturist holiday while you have all that spare time!

Holidays NZnaturally - a comprehensive booklet on accommodation and camping options for all New Zealand naturist and naturist friendly homestays, B&Bs, resorts and clubs - is now available.


Recently updated, this publication is available in printed format, as an e-guide (PDF format) and now also on CD. The guide includes up to date contact details, maps and directions on where to spend your next naturist holiday.

Order your copy online now and don't just dream of sunny days...plan for them.