Nudity not necessarily an offence
MATT RILKOFF
Is topless sunbathing ok?
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People upset by a bit of beach nudity might just have to learn to lump it – nudists are apparently well within their rights to get their kit off for a dip.
Opunake Beach was all a flutter on Wednesday afternoon after a pair of elderly breasts were seen taking a swim and then sunbathing.
Police took two calls from the public concerning the exposure before visiting the beach and informing patrolling lifeguards a bare chest was not an offence.
And according to Taranaki Naturists Club spokesman Arthur Eagle, getting your bottoms off is not necessarily an offence either, if the majority of people aren't offended.
"In theory, if you wanted, you could walk down the coastal walkway in the nude if there was a group of you and that wouldn't be considered an offence," he said.
"Not that you would want to do that."
Mr Eagle said the club would soon be issuing a public invitation for a nude beach walk from Wills Rd near Bell Block to their club off Brown Rd at Taranaki Anniversary weekend. But not all nudists like the club environment, he admitted. "Some people don't bother with clubs. They go out to Back Beach or Tapuae or they will find their own spot. You will find them in all sorts of places."
New Plymouth police Sergeant Kayanna Holly said public nudity was not a big issue in Taranaki but time and place was key to getting away with getting it off.
"Generally it comes down to who is offended. If you are at a nudist beach, sweet. If you are the only one on the beach that is sweet too. But if there are people around who might get offended that's different," she said.
Section 27 of the Summary Offence Act 1981 classifies indecent exposure as occurring when a person who, in or within view of any public place, intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his or her genitals.
Bare breasts are not indecent exposure.
However, that does not mean a topless sunbather will be safe, at least in the New Plymouth district.
A bylaw passed in 2008 prohibits any person to be or remain upon any part of a beach unless properly and sufficiently dressed.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand club development officer Andy Cronin said nudity on beaches was more of a civil issue than a safety one.
"There are probably more serious concerns at the beach than to worry about whether someone has their top off," he said.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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A lot of us in Europe only choose to holiday where nudity is accepted. There is nothing wrong with any part of the human body so what is this covering up for? I feel sorry for those who are disgusted by their own physical forms. "If god had intended us to be naked we would have been born like that." This I believe to be a quote from Oscar Wilde. Sadly intolerance led to his demise.
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#17 - Malcolm Boura, publicity officer for British Naturism, is telling New Zealanders that they should expose their private parts because, otherwise, teenage abortion, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection will be worse. Also, he is saying that where women prefer to wear a top on the beach, they are committing child abuse because they are less likely to breast feed their babies. This is an outlandish and ridiculous leap of logic which would be dismissed instantly by any competent social scientist. However, it is hardly surprising from an organisation the main purpose of which is to encourage people to gather in groups while exposing their genitalia to each other.
Everyone must cover up to not offend immigrants please.
What's the problem? is it beacause they were boobs or because they were elderly boobs?
More power to nudity, bring it on. I know I'd rather be natually nude than dressed to impress
What is offensive on beaches is the rubbish left behind and not naked bodies.
Bring it on I say. Boobies everywhere! Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh what a lovely world. As long as those that expose don't mind being looked at.
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I am a naturist in Sweden and takes my clothes off on our own place when it is not too far away: If so, I go a little further and does it where it´s convenient.