# 147 - December 1993 

There has been a steady, if gentle, decline in both sun club and FBG membership over recent years. The NZNF survey suggests three significant factors:

1. The cost of travel (declining affluence).

2. Increasing concern about skin cancer.

3. Easier (more neighbourly) attitudes to backyard nudism.

From a nudism promotion point of view, those factors are: 1) neutral, 2) negative, 3) positive!

Thirty odd years ago I thought:

"Well, in 10 or 15 years there won't be any worries about what anyone wears or doesn't wear, on the beach." Sure enough: during the mid to late seventies, that halcyon state nearly came to pass! Around Wellington, where I lived then, I saw sporadic, open nudity on several of the main beaches: including Oriental Bay, Princess Bay, Houghton Bay and all round the Miramar Peninsular. At Breaker Bay of course, the nudity was common, rather than occasional.

The phenomenon wasn't restricted to Wellington. Nudity at Papamoa, Waimairi, Long Bay and Uretiti became more established in the 'public mind' during that time too. Like Breaker Bay; St Leonards, Ladies Bay and various spots round Waiheke, were already well established. The FBG was booming. The law was favourable: general acceptance of beach nudity was surely just around the corner! Apparent affirmation of that could be seen at Nambassa Festivals, where about 70% of the public attending, found nudity the easier option, at least near water. Another year or two and textile freedom must surely be breaking out all over?

But, here we are, yet another 10 or 15 years on and that still hasn't quite happened. Will it ever? I'm still optimistic, but I've been forced to recognise the snail's pace of cultural change: law is not lore!

Occasional break-throughs are evident, like the occurrence of specifically Christian nudist groups! I think this development will be seen ultimately, as significantly outweighing the negative effects of the current skin cancer campaign.

For many families, there is a decisive question determining whether or not to head off to the local beach for the day. Is there likely to be a like-minded family there to make the lengthy trudge worthwhile? Well that's what the Free Beach Group is for: find another family in the FBG Directory to invite over one evening, prior to your beach visit next day. What about a barbie? The kids will love it!

Then in yet another 10 or 15 years we won't need a Directory, or the FBG... Declining membership? Oh goody - a declining need to hide, a declining distance to drive to find a beach and a declining distance to trek when we get there!

- John Lowe

PAKIRI PLAYGROUND

In the early seventies, A.S.C., together with other naturists, had kept several summer rendezvous on the farm of Molly and her husband, at Pakiri Beach, near Wellsford and we were lucky enough to be part of the group there for Anniversary Weekend. Having arrived on a balmy Friday evening, no one was much worried about camping arrangements, as we were certain the Weather Gods were smiling on us.

This proved correct on the Saturday morning, when almost the whole group, taking nothing with them apart from towels, spent hours on this magnificent, extensive beach playing and rollicking, au naturel, in the deep blue water or on the golden sands. As children, we had been reared to fear the beaches of Auckland's West Coast (and having been nearly drowned at Bethells Beach, I would not argue with this concept) but, probably because of the relatively sheltered beaches of the Waitemata Harbour, we had been wrongly assured that all East Coast beaches were fairly safe.

As the afternoon wore on, thick rain clouds began to gather and one by one the groups, deserting the beach, headed for their tents or caravans. Our camping arrangements were fairly primitive but we felt sure that the Gods would continue to smile upon us and that, if the rain did not disperse altogether, only a brief summer shower would eventuate. How wrong we were!

A deluge descended on the camp before the evening meal could be properly cooked. Waterlogged meat, saturated vegetables and soggy bread formed the main course with inundated ice cream to follow.

Luckily it was warm but, as no one had brought wet-weather gear, dripping nude bodies soon sought refuge in their respective caravans or tents only to find everything leaked, that could leak, or that some unfortunate people, having camped in hollows, were by now knee-deep in water. A thoroughly miserable night was had by all.

Next morning, it was still overcast, with a stiff nor'easter blowing. No one at the camp knew it, but this was the dangerous wind for Pakiri. But, not to waste what we thought of as a reasonable day, several adults volunteered to shepherd the children to the beach.

About an hour later, a quite young child, racing up from the beach, burst out with, "There's someone drowning out there. Can you come and help?"

Being the nearest, I heard clearly what she had said but no one else seemed to have noticed. There were several committee men around, all younger, stronger and better swimmers than I was. I approached them and relayed the girl's message. They were too busy chatting or arguing to take much notice but they could no longer ignore the situation when an older child, a boy this time, appeared a few minutes later, saying:

"Quickly! Two kids went too far out, couldn't get back, and Jean went to save them. Then Eddy went to save her and they're all stuck out there. If you don't come straight away, they'll drown."

No need for a third warning! It was Action Stations forthwith! Hauling out his motorbike and flinging a large coil of rope, which someone had miraculously produced, around his shoulders; David leapt on the bike and revved up the engine.

With Barry on the pillion, they screamed off across the sandbanks like greased lightning with several other committee members following as fast as their legs could carry them. After what seemed an eternity, Jean's husband and another man arrived, carrying the two terrified children whom the women quickly dried and put to bed. Still we didn't know how the two adults had fared. After what seemed another eternity, a pale and wet Jean and Eddy, assisted on either side by willing hands, stumbled into the camp. A doctor had been sent for but, being a fairly isolated place, it was some time before he arrived.

Jean and Eddy, swathed in thick blankets, were so exhausted that they could no longer remain awake, pending the doctor's arrival, but had to be reawakened for his examination. Finding no damage done, except that which many hours sleep would cure, he left his patients in the tender arms of Morpheus where they remained for at least twelve hours. It was an experience from which they soon recovered physically but from which, no doubt, the psychological and emotional scars took many years to heal.

Part of this story may have appeared in the early 70s' "Naturist" but were the heroes Jean and Eddy, who nearly gave their lives for the children, or David, Barry and the other committee members who equally risked their lives on that bleak January morning, ever properly recognised? I think not!

Though a few, connected with that incident, are still part of the naturist movement, several have long since left. More's the pity!

ANTICS AT ANAWHATA

In the late 70's, because friends from A.O.H.C. had told us how they frequently used Anawhata, on Auckland's West Coast, as a Free Beach, we determined to test it for ourselves. Arriving, after an interminable drive and a very long walk, on a hot February morning, our family of four found the beach deserted. Divided by a rock and a sand ridge, the beach separates into two smaller bays, so, being further from the only house overlooking the beach, we settled in the more northerly portion and did our usual striptease.

Because of the danger of these West Coast beaches we only allowed the children to play in the rock pools or to paddle, holding onto our hands, on the edge of the sea. By then it was lunchtime and being in our secluded nook our nudity could not be observed by others, should any arrive. For a while we lazed there, eating, drinking and sunning ourselves.

However, when I stood up and walked a few paces seawards, I found that others, not many admittedly, had now started to arrive and, because Free Beaches were only starting to be considered, I thought I had better be discreet and retire again into our own area. Nevertheless, while I was exposed, so to speak, I quickly counted the other beach users. The nearest group consisted of two couples, beyond them a family of three and, at the far end of the more southerly bay, was what looked like a young couple. All were most definitely clothed.

As neither my wife nor I felt like flaunting ourselves in front of non-nudists we remained hidden in our nook. About mid-afternoon I could see two people, at the southern end, away out beyond the breaker-line, in what I supposed to be a very dangerous situation. While I continued to evaluate the proceedings I realised that far from moving under their own steam, they were being carried along, parallel to the beach, at a quite alarming rate and would soon, if my guess was right, be swept onto the sharp craggy rocks at the far end, with the weight of the seas pounding them to almost certain death.

Not wanting to make a fool of myself by being a 'panic artist' I drew the attention of my wife (she had her head in a book, as usual) to the scenario which appeared to be unfolding before us.

After a minute or two's consideration she agreed that my prognosis was probably correct and that help must be summoned.

Stopping only long enough to haul on my shorts, I raced to the nearest group who, I was sure, would be able to help. Unfortunately, as far as I could tell, they were Dutch and literally couldn't speak a word of English. Before rushing off to the family of three, I wasted precious moments trying to communicate with the foreigners by sign language but, it seemed, to no avail.

Having reached the family group explained quickly what all the fuss was about and indicated that the swimmers (who were the young couple I had seen in the more southerly bay) were now dangerously close to the rocks and out of control. While the wife remained with her toddler, the husband set off at a cracking pace for the house up the hill, to summon the Rescue Helicopter. Then I turned back towards the Dutch group only to see that the two men, having really understood my sign language, had found, by chance, a fair length of rope from an old net, and were already running up the beach towards the rocks.

I hastened after them as quickly as possible but by the time I reached the rocks, they were already out of sight, around a corner. Even traversing the rocks had its difficulties for not only were they covered with sharp ridges, difficult to negotiate in thongs, but every so often there was a chasm which, when filled with a boiling Tasman roller, was impossible to cross, thus necessitating a halt until the wave had receded.

By the time I arrived, the two victims, helpless against the power of the ocean, were being battered against huge, mussel-encrusted boulders and were already covered in cuts and scratches. A couple of minutes more and they would be battered death. The first Dutchmen, with one end of the net-rope in his hand, was bravely facing the surging whitecaps, moving, step by step, towards the hapless couple, with the savage swirl of the sea licking hungrily at his legs, while his companion stood back, holding the lifeline with all his strength. Language difficulties or not, they knew exactly what to do.

As I approached, they indicated that I was also to take a hold of the rope so that, when the front man was able to reach the victims, together, we could help haul them out.

It seemed only seconds later that the young people, dazed, bruised and bleeding, but otherwise not seriously hurt, were lying, on the rocks at my feet. The Dutchmen, having performed their 'good deed for the day', were gone, apparently not even waiting for thanks. I did not like to leave in case, in their exhaustion, one or other of the couple, fell back into the tide.

As their fatigue waned, they slowly rose to their feet - the young man first and his partner, a little later. While returning to the beach, carefully negotiating the breaker-filled chasms, I asked this pair if they had had any experience of Auckland West Coast.

"We've never been here before," replied the young guy.

"Then I hope your experience today has shown you how dangerous it can be,"

"It sure has," was the rejoinder.

To myself I was saying, "You stupid b... fools! Fancy swimming out so far in a place, about which you knew nothing! Not only did you endanger yourselves but your rescuers also."

Aloud, I wished them good luck with their journey home and hoped that their cuts would soon heal. Rounding the last corner, I came upon my wife and young children all in tears. When the Flying Dutchmen had returned, minus me, they had presumed that both the victims and I had been drowned. While I explained what had really happened the Rescue Helicopter zoomed overhead, thankfully, no longer needed.

Luckily, my presence soon consoled my family and after having bade the young couple goodbye we noticed, with pleasure, that, as they trudged past the Dutchmen, they stopped and, presumably thanked their saviours - though how they managed the language problem I hadn't a clue.

Who were these heroic Dutchmen? Were they tourists who perhaps never visited New Zealand again? Or were they immigrants who, in the intervening years, have mastered English sufficiently to understand this belated paean of praise? Though apparently not nudists at the time perhaps, like many of their compatriots, they have since become members?

I doubt whether anyone, very much, ever heard of their exploits just as, probably, no one hears of many other heroic little dramas of the semi-secret naturist scene. Perhaps you have a similar story to tell?

This largest and most famous Hungarian naturist grounds has been in quandary for a few years. A severe drought has hit Hungary several years in a row, damaged agriculture, lowered the water level in lakes and streams, and left most camps high, dry and dusty. Instead of needed rain, strong winds have brought dust and sand storms.

Délegyháza, south of Budapest, has been hit by various factors since its glorious beginnings 10 years ago, in 1984. To give a bit of background, let us backtrack to the late '70's and early '80's. In those days, a much larger area, filled with gravel quarries, was frequented by unorganised "wild" naturists coming from Budapest, etc. Police raids were encountered often, but the skinny-dippers were not deterred.

Then, on 12 December 1983, an official permit was issued in Budapest for the founding of a naturist organisation called MAGYAR NATURISTAK EGYESULETE. An inaugural official meeting took place on 27 January 1984, with officers and a board elected democratically by the members. From founding to meeting the MNE had acquired almost 7000 members; later more joined, before the slack-off of the last few years.

At this point. MNE leased the land which now constitutes the Délegyháza naturists' grounds. They were forced to fence it in immediately, so farmers and other outsiders wouldn't have to look at the large gathering of nude bodies. Although many individuals contributed - by hands and brains - to the establishment of basic services at this 34 ha. area (29 ha. lake and 5 ha. land), one person stands out in particular. Gusztáv Hellebronth, now 71.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen

This accomplished gentleman laid out the infrastructure of Délegyháza, like roads, water system, fences, sanitation, sports areas, etc. This soft-spoken, chief Hungarian "diplomat" has organised the Hungarian participation at the annual "Alpen-Adria" naturist meetings in Istria, Croatia where leaders and sports teams of Yugoslav, Austrian, Hungarian, and Bavarian naturist movements have been meeting every year for the past 20 years.

Mr Hellebronth is also an INF representative for Hungary, together with the current president of MNE.

Although plenty of Hungarians, and many foreigners starting in the mid-80's, have been coming to Délegyháza, steadily rising usage fees have deterred some poorer citizens. Money was lost by some illegal activities under the first president, and later, a corrupt grounds keeper fleeced the association of large sums.

Délegyháza suffered much from these adverse causes, lost many valuable members, and fell somewhat in disrepair. Many naturist visitors from abroad, having been here first, and then going on to Sziksósfürdö at Szeged, decided that latter facility, was to be the club of choice.

However, Csába Molnár has now taken the reins strongly and decided to revive Délegyháza to its former popular state. In early 1993 he had the Hungarian army clean up the lake which was threatened with excessive plant growth. To finish the job, he will have the lake dredged or vacuum cleaned (like a swimming pool), to remove silt from the lake bottom. Finally, the roads will be improved.

Already lots of Hollanders, some Germans, and a few other West Europeans are returning. Only a few come from Poland and other ex-communist nations, but that is caused by the general recession and by higher prices in Hungary. MNE plans a 10-year anniversary to be celebrated in August 1994. MNE is still by far the largest naturist organisation in Hungary, has a 20 year lease on Délegyháza, spent 20 million forints to get the infrastructure established, and pays ½ million forints per year for the lease, as well as 12 million forints yearly in operating costs.

The primary lake clean-up, to rid the lake of excessive plant growth, cost MNE approximately 600,000 forints, paid to the army which considered it a manoeuvre, an exercise.

Against that, a Délegyháza member pays for a family membership and for a tent site - for a year - a total of 8000 forints. To many Hungarians that is still much money, and they prefer to go to the free naturist bathing areas at Omsk Park in Budapest, at the Mohacs or Debrecen grounds, or at Gardony beach at Ágard on the Velencei Lake. Unemployment, and the ever-rising cost of living, have forced many prior members to quit MNE membership, and instead only frequent the free beaches. Others only go there by the day.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen

On the other hand, private entrepreneurs build more and more facilities at Délegyháza, both inside and just outside the grounds, to cater to and profit from the naturists, domestic as well as foreign, who come visiting Délegyháza. There are already about a dozen buffets set up. A restaurant has recently opened outside, and so has a beer tent/disco, a hotel which also has a restaurant, bar, pool table, and music on the weekend.

Sanitary installations (toilets, showers, wash basins) are installed every 200 meters around the 3km periphery of the camp.

There are several general grocery stores and a few green grocers, and even a palacsinta stand.

Lots of prefab cabins, caravans, and tents on permanent sites are already rented by Hungarians, but there is still space for many visiting naturists. Luckily this is so, because during the Jubilee in August 1994 there will be stacks of visiting naturists from abroad as well as from all regions of Hungary. The festivities will take in all kinds of activities and entertainment, and will last about one week. There will be lots to see and do.

British artist Marc Quinn made a sensation with his statue of a male with an erection in this city. He placed it right in front of a church and this went too far according to the church council.

The placing of this statue is to draw attention to an exhibition of art which is held somewhere else in the city. Mr Van der Jagt of the church council said that he could not understand why it had to be placed in front of their church. When a real nude man would walk around the church he would get a fine, but when a nude statue with some glass around it is placed, its called art. Why did they not put it somewhere else? According to the church council, its against the biblical values and norms of our church.

But the city of Arnhem isn't planning to take the statue away.

The director of the Sonsbeek exhibition, the American W. Smith was given the green light to place this statue on any location. As the art object tries to make a dialogue with the inhabitants of the city of Arnhem, the pisser as its called, has been put in front of the St. Jansplein Church.

The city council says that art grew more and more against oposing presure in early days and in Roman times the importance of art was underestimated. Kings from the old testament and gods were placed undressed on triumphal arches. There has always been people against nude art, in the early days and even today, so that's nothing new.

Mr Van der Jagt is not satisfied at all with the answer of the city fathers, but wants to wait first till the full church council has spoken out on this issue.

When the church council next meet everyone is back from holidays and the exhibition shall be over.

When I went over to see the nude pisser, quite a few people and children stood around the statue waiting to see what it looks like. And one must have patience as around the glass you see running water and only two times in five minutes the water stops and you can see the man inside, and then only for two seconds, so those with cameras have a chore to take a photo, as before you know its gone again.

Children began to say to their parents, when is it coming daddy, then all of a sudden the water stops running and the man is visible. Marc Quinn surely made the most of the newspapers in Holland.

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

It is really sad that the Gisborne Country Club (Gisborne) with its small but well kept ground has only 8 members. We escaped from the cold in a hot sauna. At the Hawkes Bay Sun Club (Napier) we never felt lonely. We enjoyed the company of many many sheep which were busy cutting the grass for the rally.

Riverlands Hideaway Clothes optional Resort (Mohaka River) is still busy with building but we enjoyed the great outdoor; nude bush walking and river swimming.

Everyone recommended us to visit Rotota Sun Club (Reperoa). So we were really anxious for this club. And... we really had a great time. We joined in "Allan's Adventure Tours." We had a guided walk through the bush to the geyser, had a run through the rainforest to the waterfall for a hot shower, swam through the warm creek and finally enjoyed the natural spa under the stars. But that was not enough - the next day we were invited by Gordon for a great boat trip.

The Palmerston North Sun Club (Palmerston North) was a sunshine island in the rain.

"Are you lost?" was the welcome at Wellington Sun Club (Wellington). It was pouring so much that we were allowed to set up camp in the club house. Here we had the experience of a New Zealand lamb roast and New Year's Eve. It was great fun.

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

After the crossing to the South Island we spent 10 minutes at clothes optional Mapua Leisure Park (Mapua). It was terribly crowded and we found hardly any nudists. It was much better for us at the Nelson Sun Club (Nelson). Here we played golf the first time in our lives - we hope the grass grew back. The weather was so good and the people so great that we spent a whole week there. Alpine Lakes Nudist Centre (Arrowtown) is so well hidden that we couldn't find it at all. Five kms before we reached Southern Sun & Health Club (Invercargill) a truck damaged our windscreen. To our annoyance nobody was in the club and it was raining.

Unfortunately our car broke down in Dunedin and we had to sell it. That was the reason we didn't visit the Orchard Sun Club (Dunedin), the Canterbury Sun Club (Christchurch) and the South Canterbury Sun Club (Timaru). We had to take the train for the rest of our trip from Dunedin to Christchurch.

In February we continued our trip to Australia. Our first club we visited in Australia was Wairone Sun & Health School (Wairone) Victoria. Here we could join in a great spaghetti bolognese dinner. And it was here we heard for the first time about the good guide "Bare Facts" which was a great help for us to find all the Free beaches. All the clubs we found with our "International INF Clothes-Free Travel Guide."

By visiting the capital city Canberra, the ACT Nudist Club (Canberra) was just the ideal place to stay. Here we met "Monday" a tame kangaroo which is a club member. We also got heaps of information and addresses for our trip around Australia.

Unfortunately our visit at Naturi Sun & Health Club (Berowra, NSW) was involved with a lot of rain.

We relaxed at Kiata Country Club (Wilberforce, NSW) after exploring the great city of Sydney. At Kiata it was the first time that we saw a monitor lizard and we could take some pictures back home. We also got mechanical advice from the caretaker which was a great help for us on our trip. It felt like home so we stayed there longer than we planned.

Photo: Graham Hall

We were welcome at clothes optional Pelican Point Nudist Resort (Barmera, SA) although they hadn't yet set up business. Tindo Nudist Club (Adelaide Sth) was the ideal place to visit Adelaide and the Barossa Valley. It was great fun to spend Easter in this club. We were busy every day, all day long, with playing miniten (we could buy bats here), volleyball, tennis and petanque; cooling down in the pool, sausage sizzle, game night and a dress up night. It was great to see many people and even better to talk to them.

We spent the ANZAC weekend at Sunseekers (Midland, WA), also well situated to see Perth. It was here we played Bingo for the first time and even won some prizes. We spent many nights with the lovely caretakers Bob and Noreen at the BBQ. They always found (apart from their daily work on the club ground) time to bring us the Australian way of living closer.

It is a pity that there is no club on our way from Perth to Darwin and to the East Coast. Before we started from there, our highlight of this trip followed our one night at the clothes optional Hidden Valley Country Retreat, (Manan, QLD). What was our highlight? A nude Whitsunday cruise with the "Cat". We sailed with a very comfortable catamaran through magnificent islands. Robin, our charming captain, took us to the most beautiful places and Linda, our cook, prepared us delicious meals. We had four most enjoyable days and we can warmly recommend this privately run cruise. For more information, call Robin on: 008 061 043.

Of course we also visited many free beaches around Australia.

Unfortunately we felt very uncomfortable at Point Impossible, VIC, Sunnyside North, VIC and North Swanbourne, WA, there were mostly only peeking men. Sometimes it helped when we peeked back through our binoculars or we had to leave. Because we went there usually during the week, we asked if it would be better on weekends! Anyway in WA we found lovely beaches like Nanga, Monkey Mia and Coral Bay.

But the most beautiful time we spent at Cable Beach (Broom), Casuarina Beach (Darwin), Nine Mile Beach (Esperance) and at Edith Fall.

Photo: D.E. Phillips

They are all likeable free beaches and a great way to enjoy nudism. Our secret trip: Cape Range National Park. There we had our private nude camping spot and beach.

We can warmly recommend this way of travelling and exploring your countries. We met so many people like never before when we travelled and it really brought the country and its culture closer to us. We had a great time and we will come back ... one day!

   When the long winter months are passed, everyone is eagerly looking forward to spring and summertime, and of course making plans for holidays and activities within the club itself, be it photo sessions, a boat-trip or the yearly camping weekend.

   Not always has the sun been shining, not always are the temperatures warm, but in spite of the fact that the forecast for this year was rain and cool temperatures, almost 38 people came, and the weather was cloudy and warm on the Saturday and on the Sunday it was a blue sky with temperatures around the 22 mark, so not bad at all.

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

On Friday evening the caravans and tents began to roll in, some members waited till Saturday morning to see what the weather was really going to be, only four stayed away.

   On Saturday morning a lot has to be bought for the barbeque during the early evening, on Saturday afternoon a volleyball game was held and at night wood had to taken out of the forest for a huge campfire.

   At 8.30 the fire was lit and soon we were all singing songs from the past and present accompanied by a guitar. Then everyone hit the sack.

   On Sunday morning the sky was completely blue with a few clouds in between and the temperature was a pleasant 21 degrees. Swimming, jeu de boule and learning how to shoot with bow and arrow was certainly not easy at all, but after some time some did hit the jackpot.

   For young and old, an unforgettable weekend, and so the Friends of Nature had a smashing weekend which certainly will be repeated next year.

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

SOUTH CANTERBURY SUN CLUB

It is quite a while since anyone has heard from us but we are still very much alive. We welcomed back Ian as our president - a dedicated sun club member who is now living on the grounds.

Since retiring he has moved back to South Canty to give his time to the movement. Experience has taught us that someone on the grounds seems to make for a pleasant stay for members and visitors alike. A friendly chat as folk arrive does not go amiss.

We have five acres, an Historic School clubhouse with fully equipped kitchen, two caravan points at the moment, toilets, fenced swimming pool, BBQ, miniten, swings and trampoline for the children. Showers are being erected for the summer.

We are a small but very enthusiastic group of people who would like to share this with you.

Next year is our official 21st and we cannot let this go uncelebrated. We would welcome anyone who would like to spend a day with us on 29th Jan 1994. If you have a camper, caravan, tent etc why not spend the weekend.

Finances don't allow us to do anything too grand but people are what we are all about.

Starting at 3pm we will serve wine and cheese, juice for the children. Time for a chat. About 5pm the BBQ will be lit for a sausage sizzle that we will provide. Could we please ask you to potluck a salad. Any type that you choose would be greatly appreciated. We hope that you can stay on as we cut the cake and have music and more socialising in the clubhouse.

If you can help make our day please write or phone as we need to know how many people will be arriving.

Please note new address: P.0. Box 13, Geraldine, phone Ian on 03-693 9991. Make it a date now, 29th January 1994.

HIBISCUS COAST SUN CLUB

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club, formerly the North Shore Nudist Club, also known as "Kirikau", are having a "get together" on 6th February 1994, for past and present members on the club grounds to celebrate our first 21 years and the repayment of the mortgage. All ex-members are invited to meet current members at a barbeque midday - club grounds - 6th Feb. If you have not visited the club for some time we would love to see you. A great opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.

If you are a former member or know of ex-members please let us know. For more info write to The Secretary, P.0. Box 128 Orewa or phone Jim on 09-525 6067.

Numbers are well up at the new swim night venue of Palm Springs Hot Pools, and there is plenty of room for lots more. Come up and see us on the last Saturday evening of each month, but remember, we don't use the complex in December or January. The complex has its own restaurant and takeaways are available. If you wish to cook your own meal, barbeques are available.

If you are travelling through Orewa during the summer, remember we have caravan and camping sites available on the club grounds. We are only 5 minutes drive from SH1, but please book ahead.

Many thanks to all of you who have helped us over the past 21 years, and our best wishes for 1994 to everyone, from all of us at "Kirikau".

HAWKES BAY SUN CLUB INC.

After many years of keeping Rapere to ourselves, enjoying our perfect weather; even our winter day with temperatures up to 18°C; the outdoors are very welcoming with the long hot summer days just around the corner.

After using our grounds for the NZNF Rally last Christmas; giving us an excuse for a new facelift all around on buildings and the outdoors. Our members can see the results of all the hard work which has given over more enthusiasm to carry on with new plans of development for the enjoyment of people for years to come and in doing so making our club a small paradise to be proud of.

We have just completed our clubroom floor with new carpet for the lounge and a lovely polished dance floor. "Norms Lodge" is now in the last stage of upgrading giving us excellent accommodation for people to stay with all the home comforts. Your own room for example.

Our present project is to pull out unwanted pine trees, remove some of the larger ones for an export market, then start our replanting programme around the boundary using natives inside for colour and to bring in the birds.

I would like to thank all the people who have supported Hawkes Bay Sun Club and extend an invitation to visit or stay at our lovely club over the next summer season.

All the best from the President, David Sykes.

Dear Editor,

We are a Norwegian/English couple with a six year old boy and we are coming to NZ for the first time in November and staying for a few months. We would very much like to get in contact with another couple with children who would like to do some travelling with us. We have thought about a camper van or a boat. (Magne is a qualified skipper). We are open to suggestions. We would also like to return any hospitality here in Norway.

If interested please write to:

Magne Risa
Vagleskogvn 57
4300 Sandnes
Norway

Dear Editor,

I get a large number of letters from people throughout each year, as Supporter Group Secretary, and one I recently received is, I feel, worthy of mention. In part, to quote - "There seems to be an ever-increasing amount of technical complications in our modern life-style, and that in turn seems to bread a more sophisticated criminal element - as well as the more common low-income criminal group which has arisen mainly, I believe, from having no work to do. Many of them are wonderfully gifted people, so, to me, I don't welcome the silicon chip and the so-called wonders of modern science.

"People, are more wonderful than any of man's efforts.

"Therefore the photos of happy naked people enjoying themselves in a simple manner, remind me of what the very beginning of creation was before the Garden of Eden debacle - a happy naked Adam and Eve still talking face to face with God because sin had not yet separated them.

"And sin is the last thing our happy nudist groups (most of them) want, to spoil their simple enjoyment of each other and of their relaxing life-style."

Sincerely,
John Trotter

Dear Editor,

I am a current subscriber to your publication and a member of the American Sunbathing Assn as well as the secretary of our local nudist club, the Hill Country Nudists. My wife and I are interested in visiting your wonderful country and we are looking for advanced contacts.

My wife and I are both amateur radio operators and would like to get in touch with other nudist / naturist hams that could make contact with us, either just once or on a regular basis on the air. If there is enough interest, this would be an excellent medium of information exchange for nude recreation and an international radio net for nude recreation may evolve. I am presently keeping a schedule with ZL3BTQ on your Monday afternoon at 0345UTC on 21.315Mhz. Listen for me there or send me your card with possible schedule information. Let's find out what's happening in each other's countries and apply the best of both!

Stephen Bosbach KG5BR
Crystal Bosbach N5LEQ

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. 147 December 1993

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:

Graeme Brown

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.

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AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 2925,
AUCKLAND.
NEW ZEALAND

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

The Secretary N.Z.N.F.
PO Box 101-187
North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland 1330

President: Les Olsen
Auckland (09) 444-5015

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Robbert Broekstra - F.C., P7, P9, P10, P13,

P14, P17, P18, P19, B.C.

Les Olsen - I.F.C. P12, I.B.C.

Leif Heilberg - P1, P2

Doug Cousins - P4, P15

Freddy Karstensen - P6, P8

Graham Hall - P14

D.E. Phillips - P16

Doug Ball - P22

DEADLINES FOR COPY

148 March 1994 - 30 January 1994

149 June 1994 - 20 April 1994

150 September 1994 - 15 July 1994

151 December 1994 - 1 October 1994