Naturism in New Zealand
History
A short history of nudity in Aotearoa/New Zealand before 1914.
In colonial times attitudes towards male nudity were quite relaxed in NZ. Males had considerable freedom to be naked in a public situation. Public opinion allowed males to swim without having to wear a swimming costume. In towns the social convention was to restrict this to beaches early morning or late evening, but this condition was often broken by young people. In country districts youths swimming in rivers simply swam naked without any restriction. The early swimming pools in towns provided segregated swimming and the practice was for men and youths to swim naked. It would appear that sessions for women were limited. There was considerable pressure from newspapers to restrict the right to be nude. The regular reports on the “nude bathing nuisance” invariably were accompanied by demands for the “authorities” to take action. Early bylaws in Wellington allowed nude swimming in the sea in certain hours in a public situation. Certain beaches were known for their nudity and their nude beach culture. Nude swimming in public pools in Wellington was over in 1904 and around 1910 in Lyall Bay reflecting a general conservatism. Maori forces in the New Zealand Wars fought naked. Originally the haka was naked and Maori children were commonly naked, with girls only up to puberty. Males were commonly naked in day-today life. Maori adopted the prevailing European view around 1900. Naked swimming survived at the Rotorua baths into the late 1960s.
Early organized naturism
In 1933 in Dunedin, an attempt was made by Eric Flint to establish a naturist club. The effort was rebuffed by community leaders. In January 1938 the Auckland Sun Club was formed in Auckland. Club activities 1recessed due to the Second World War. Later in 1938 a second club was formed I Dunedin. 2Naturism – Te Ra The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
The Wellington (NZ) Sun Club, now the Wellington Naturist Club, was founded in 1951 by Perc. Cousins. Photos courtesy of Chris Brickell.
modern naturism
Free Beaches New Zealand was formed in 1975 to promote naturism in public spaces. In the 1980s legal changes were made to allow for public nudity in some places providing there was no lewd behavior associated. 3Attitudes to nakedness – Te Ra The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
There is no specific law against being naked on a New Zealand beach. There is no law banning people from being naked in public in New Zealand. 4 Is it legal? Free Beaches New Zealand
References
- 1recessed
- 2
- 3
- 4