Naturism in New Zealand

[NudieDaniel]

Updated September 09, 2016.

New Zealand is the ideal destination if you like skinny-dipping or sunbathing nude. With miles of coastline and a relatively small population, it's not difficult to find a secluded spot here where you won't be disturbed. Nude bathing is much more common in the summer, but New Zealand offers many lovely days in the spring and autumn – and even in winter – where being at the beach is entirely possible, even if the water is a bit chilly.

Apart from the beach, kiwis and visitors alike can enjoy being clothes-free in many other places as well. Forests, streams, rivers, lakes - they're all places where you can work on an all-over tan!
Attitudes towards Naturism and Nudity in New Zealand

Kiwis are fairly easygoing and you'll find that people generally don't have a problem if they encounter a nude person on a beach or somewhere else that's reasonably remote.

But there isn't the level of tolerance here that you might find in Europe, even for topless bathing. Topless or nude bathing would generally be regarded as acceptable if done discretely, but not on a busy beach, particularly one that's family-oriented.

Some of the better-known nudist beaches suffer from the presence of "gawkers," but these curious onlookers generally aren't confrontational and you can easily solve the problem by moving to another location.
The majority of the known nude beaches are in the northern half of the North Island where the weather is warmer. The further south you go, the fewer nudists you'll encounter, apart from a few hardy souls.
Nudity and the Law in New Zealand

It's not against the law to be naked anywhere in New Zealand, but it's illegal to go unclothed with the intention of being obscene or causing offense. If you confine yourself to discreet areas or "places where nudity is known to occur," you're not likely to encounter any issues with the authorities.
Official Nude Beaches

New Zealand has no official nude beaches. This is intentional because establishing such beaches is likely to attract unwanted and undesirable attention. Nevertheless, some well-known clothing-optional beaches are official in everything but name.
Most of the established nude beaches are in the North Island from Tauranga northwards.
Nudist Clubs

There are a number of nudist clubs throughout New Zealand. All of them are private and open only to members, but many welcome interested visitors from outside the region. You'll generally have to prove your interest in naturism and/or hold an International Naturist Federation membership card.
Clothing-Optional and Nudist Resorts

There are no clothing-optional or nudist resorts in New Zealand, but the Katikati Naturist Park at Katikati comes close. It's located near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, North Island. Facilities here include a swimming pool, spa pool, sauna and various sports, all in a park-like setting. Accommodations range from campsites and caravans to self-contained motel units. It's open to the public.
Naturist Accommodation

Several bed and breakfast homestays dotted throughout the country are clothing-optional. They're typically owned by naturists themselves.
Naturist Associations

A number of associations are always willing to help if you're interested in finding out more about naturism in New Zealand.

    The New Zealand Naturist Federation is New Zealand's official naturist organization.
    Free Beaches NZ specifically promotes responsible naturism on beaches and arranges outings and events on beaches throughout the country.

Don't Forget the Sun

New Zealand has a reputation for its ferocious sun. The burn time is shorter than anywhere else in the world, so don't forget to use plenty of high-strength sunscreen, at least SPF 30, even if it's cloudy or the sun doesn't feel all that hot. Make sure your enjoyment of New Zealand isn't spoiled by painful sunburn!
Nude Fun

Kiwis are a fun-loving bunch and this extends to some light-hearted nude activities as well. There's even an unofficial national nude rugby team, the Nude Blacks, which plays in Dunedin whenever the All Blacks are playing a test match in the city.

    Watch the Nude Blacks playing at The Nude Blacks

http://gonewzealand.about.com/od/HistoryandCulture/a/Naturism-In-New-Zealand.htm

[rg007]

A good video interview with the president of NZNF



 

[NudieDaniel]

Former president now Donna Miller is the current president. Got to meet Wendy and Nick at the Free Beaches AGM last year.

Paul Henry also a naturist if you didn't know already.

[rg007]

Have you also met Donna Miller or Paul Henry?

[NudieDaniel]

Have you also met Donna Miller or Paul Henry?

I got to meet Donna at an AONC open day a couple years ago

[Hamish]

In my experience New Zealand must be one of the best places in the world to enjoy naturism. The beauty of the country is breathtaking and the naturists at the clubs are so welcoming. The fact that the population density is very small, it makes it easy to find secluded parts in nature to practice naturism.

[rg007]

In my experience New Zealand must be one of the best places in the world to enjoy naturism. The beauty of the country is breathtaking and the naturists at the clubs are so welcoming. The fact that the population density is very small, it makes it easy to find secluded parts in nature to practice naturism.

At times, I have been able to spot naturists on a regular beach like Onetangi beach in Waiheke island (even though not a nude beach like Little Palm beach). Also, spotted a few topless females on regular beaches like Takauna beach.

BTW, how open-minded are the Irish regarding naturism?

[Hamish]

In my experience New Zealand must be one of the best places in the world to enjoy naturism. The beauty of the country is breathtaking and the naturists at the clubs are so welcoming. The fact that the population density is very small, it makes it easy to find secluded parts in nature to practice naturism.

At times, I have been able to spot naturists on a regular beach like Onetangi beach in Waiheke island (even though not a nude beach like Little Palm beach). Also, spotted a few topless females on regular beaches like Takauna beach.

BTW, how open-minded are the Irish regarding naturism?

I think that because there is no law in New Zealand against simply being nude at the beach (provided it is discrete and there is no intention to offend others) people are more likely to enjoy the freedom of being naked whenever they can, even if they don't class themselves as naturists. This is true probably more so for tourists with no worries of being seen by someone they know etc.

This is a great example of how open minded the people of New Zealand are. The fact that a person being naked isn't automatically classed as an illegal act is very tolerant of different views of different people in society. For most people it's pretty easy to tell if someone is naked and up to no good or if they are simply enjoying the freedom to be at one with nature etc. This is another reason that New Zealand is so naturist friendly, other countries (including Ireland) could really improve the lives of everyone by following New Zealands common sense approach to nudity on beaches.

Ireland does have a naturist organisation and there are some excellent beaches here to practice the lifestyle but it is very much something that would never be talked about. Unfortunately a large portion of the population (generally those over the age of 40) would be very shocked and maybe even angry at the thought of people being naked on a beach, discreetly or not, and this would likely be something that would be reported to the authorities. An example of this is when a couple of lads in there twenties were arrested for going skinny dipping on a beach up north a couple of years ago. In New Zealand it would be acceptable by most people but in Ireland the authorities say it could lead to a '...criminal record and placed on the Sex Offender Register' 

It's nonsense because, as you know, a real naturist does not intend to offend or shock or flaunt themselves in front of others. The lifestyle is all about being naked when it is more comfortable to be undressed and to enjoy the benefits that being naked brings to that person. Ireland has a great deal of potential for naturists and of course there are places where people do enjoy naturism discreetly but the lifestyle would be enjoyed by so many more people if we had open-minded laws like you guys do down in New Zealand!
You live in a great country rg007 

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/what-bummer-skinny-dippers-hot-water-3908227