Petition Against Nudity (Press, 10 September 1976)

A nudist rally held at Ohope Beach in November 1975 has led to the presentation of a formal petition against the opening of public beaches to nudist activities. On 9 September 1976, the petition, which amassed 7893 signatures, was submitted to the Minister of Police, Mr. McCready, by Mr. J. A. Mitchell, a secondary school teacher from Whakatane, accompanied by Miss Patricia Bartlett, the national secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards. The petition sought to ensure enforcement of laws regarding offensive behaviour and obscene exposure, and it also called for the consideration of legislation that would penalise media outlets for promoting nudism. It specifically requested that public beaches, particularly those in the Bay of Plenty region, be protected against nudist activities. Mr. Mitchell noted that around 1000 signatures were collected from local residents in the Ohope and Whakatane area, while the remainder were gathered by Miss Bartlett’s society through its membership. Concerned about the general well-being of the country and what they perceived as a flouting of the law, the petitioners highlighted the nudist rally as a key issue. In his discussion with Mr. McCready, Mr. Mitchell emphasised that nudists should be mindful of public sensibilities, stating that the exposed human body, particularly among middle-aged individuals, is not aesthetically pleasing. He expressed satisfaction with the response the petition received. Miss Bartlett articulated that the actions of nudists at Ohope constituted a deliberate disregard for the law by moving from a private campsite onto a public beach. She stated that while her society was not opposed to nudism on private property, they would resist any attempts to designate public beaches for nude bathing. According to her, New Zealand has a tradition that permits all citizens to enjoy the beaches without being offended. Mr. McCready responded positively, assuring that he would investigate the matters raised in the petition and seek a resolution that avoids public offence.

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