Papamoa residents concerned about nudists' behaviour on a section of Papamoa Beach will meet with Mayor Stuart Crosby tonight to discuss the issues.
A neighbourhood support group approached Stuart at a mayoral forum with concerns of 'lewd behaviour” on the stretch of beach opposite Sunbrae Grove.
Stuart says after a long discussion with the uneasy residents he offered to come to the meeting to discuss the issues
'I made the offer to come along and listen to their collective concerns,” says Stuart.
'Councillor Wayne Moultrie will also be attending as a long standing resident of the Mount, he also knows a lot of history around that site.”
Stuart says there are three different types of nudists using the beach.
'There are three levels in my view, first of all there are your genuine nudists that have been there since the 50s and by in large they do not cause a problem.
'Then there is another level of nudists that are there, and when other people walk along, they get up and parade for no real reason other than to parade. This has raised concern.
'Then you have the more deviant type that the police sometimes deal with, who are doing lewd activities. And that's the bit that is of most concern to the residents.”
Concerned Papamoa resident Shaun Gallagher approached the Mayor with concerns of offensive behaviour at the Western Bay of Plenty beach.
In an article published on familyfirst.org.nz, Shaun says on one occasion he was forced to check the stretch of beach near his home before allowing his young granddaughters to play on the sand.
'This is no longer a desert. It's a big, big family community. I think if they were genuine, they would go and find somewhere that was as remote as it used to be.”
Shaun feels some of the nudists were holding residents to ransom.
Concerns about the nudity at the beach were first raised in September 1990, when Tauranga City Council was asked to introduce a bylaw to reduce the activity.
Stuart says Council decided it would not be successful and did not pass the bylaw to ban nudity on beaches.
There are no bylaws on nude sunbathing on public beaches, or skinny dipping, and Stuart says as long as people behave appropriately it is not considered an offence.
'I don't oppose nudity as long as it's discrete and away from the general public.
'Maybe it's time another site was found, because it used to be very isolated but now there is a lot of residential development around it.”
The closed meeting will be held at a private residential address in Papamoa tonight.
21 comments
Avert Gaze??
Posted on 26-04-2012 12:58 | By Rangi
There are 359 other degrees you could be gawking at! You knew what sort of neighbourhood you were moving into. I'm concerned that rights & privileges of nudists are being tested by people who have no real cause. After all, it is impossible to cause offence, people choose to take offence if so inclined. Which raises the question "What is the real agenda here?"
prudes
Posted on 26-04-2012 13:10 | By Darth_Vader
seems its a handful of prudes that assume they speak for everyone if the meeting is to be a closed one at a private residence, it shows that the mayor will only be getting one side of the story one would think if the meeting was public these people would be aware that others don't share their concerns, they seem to have forgotten that the beach and the nudists were present prior to them moving there and they would have been fully aware of such .... its a minority wanting to dictate to the rest what can and can't happen
.
Posted on 26-04-2012 13:48 | By Donnaw
These weirdos have been using this bit of the beach for years....for as long as i can remeber, i just dont understand why it is they feel the need to get naked in public, I dont think finding another site will be of any deterant, because then wouldnt that take away the whole "exhibitioist" part about it....becuase at the end of the day, this is all they are...oh and by no means am i a prude, but this sort of thing is just down right weird.
Papamoa Beach Nudism
Posted on 26-04-2012 13:50 | By Watchdog
Nudism in the downtown area is no different to nudism on the beach. Council needs to pass proper edicts banning this deviant behaviour and coming up with proper fines and methods of prosecution for those who display themselves so crudely in public. Come on Council get cracking on this one. It will come back again and again if you don't act on complaints and fine people with appropriate penalties.
To Rangi
Posted on 26-04-2012 13:56 | By Dawn
I have to disagree. I used to live in Papamoa and would take my 4 year old daughter to the beach regularly. We weren't in the 'nudist' area of Papamoa, but out-of-towners think that all of Papamoa Beach is a nudist beach. We would regularly come across "nudists" having sex - openly - on the edge of the beach, or coming to sit right beside us, and then start having sex. No one should have to put up with this behaviour. And why should I have to look away?? The fact they would do this in front of my 4 year old was extremely offensive!
Posted on 26-04-2012 14:05 | By traceybjammet
its also up to the legit nudists to keep the people just wanting to have sex and stuff on a public beach away. work together people
Rangi's right
Posted on 26-04-2012 14:13 | By morepork
If there is "lewd behaviour" (whatever that is; I suspect the definition would vary depending on who you talk to...), then, yes, the persons concerned need to be told that if they persist they will be removed and may lose their right to use the beach in the future. I agree with Rangi 100%; the rights of people to not wear clothes on a suitably designated beach, are more important that the scandalizing of some neighbours who knew that beach was there before they bought houses in the vicinity. It worries me when someone says they are "protecting" their grandchildren. Kids don't care and will run around happily with or without clothes. Impressing your own prejudices on them is not really a good thing to do. Explain that we wear clothes in normal society to keep us warm and to preserve "modesty", but they should never get the impression there is anything wrong with the human form or be offended by it. I lived in Germany for some years and they have a completely different (and MUCH healthier) attitude to nudity. It is no big deal and men and women use spas and saunas together without any embarrassment. I have sat and had a conversation with a very attractive young woman (both of us naked strangers) and was never aroused by it. It is healthy and liberating. It is all very well the Mayor agreeing to meet the residents, but why isn't someone representing the nudists in on the session also? Then any issues (real or imagined) can be discussed and addressed and compromises could be arrived at. I have never personally been to the Papamoa nudist beach, but I am glad it is there. It is a statement that we are grown-ups, at least until some sector of the community shows that we are not...
Ownership?
Posted on 26-04-2012 14:31 | By Michael-angelo
This is a public beach belonging to all New Zealanders, prized for its sense of natural isolation. Naturists are normal people enjoying the beach. Unfortunately any isolated place can also attract deviants - perhaps the answer is to develop the whole beach so no one wants to go there?
Typical
Posted on 26-04-2012 14:36 | By Porina
Typical case of moaning residents moving to an area and not liking the traditions. Its new residents putting the nudists to ransom, not the other way around. They were there first, so you move your activities somewhere else. It would be away from general public if general public stayed away from it. I'm not a nudist myself, but am well aware of the area and have been since I was a child. Back in the 80s when it was ok to wonder unattended lol we would walk the beach. If we reached the nudist area, we'd simply stop and either walk the street or turn around. Problem solved. Stop yr moaning and move somewhere else if you dont like it.
Time to Move On
Posted on 26-04-2012 18:18 | By Sandyshirl
Then their is the comment: Then there is another level of nudists that are there, and when other people walk along, they get up and parade for no real reason other than to parade. This has raised concern. This is duscusting. Shame but they are ruining it for other nudists and the community. Things change everywhere, so come on Council. Baypark had to be moved because of noise (when they were their first). Move these people on also as not nice for especially the kids & elderly in our community. Everyone has to move on and go with the times. Surely their must be another place they can move to. (Mother of 5 who would be majorly offended with the nudists acting inappropriately). Happens all the time - but sorry Nudists - TIME TO MOVE ON.
Which beach are we talking about?
Posted on 26-04-2012 19:35 | By dgk
Everyone knows that the only reason why someone decides to live in that area is because they like to perve at the beach....or am I thinking of the Main Beach?
Move out
Posted on 26-04-2012 21:06 | By quitekiwi1
The nudist beach has been there for years and so was Bay Park. Along came the developers and bought all the land around there which was once a holiday area. They sold all the land around Bay Park knowing that they would get enough complants for the Park to close and that would give them more land to play with. Now the beach is being surronded by new sub-divisions and the out of towners moving into the area want to start changing things again. You are moving into OUR city so accept what is there and stop trying to impose your your rules. There is miles of beach to walk on and there is no reason for you to have to walk that part of the beach
Time to take the matter in hand
Posted on 27-04-2012 06:17 | By Hector
Excuse me but, when is lewd behaviour and open sexual activity condoned, for the die hard nudist who is not a blatant exhibitionist, each to thier own, but all other "flaunters" who frequent the area, should be told by others of thier persuation, to tone it down, or leave the area. At the end of the day, sand causes friction.
travel advice
Posted on 27-04-2012 09:05 | By nothingwrongwithgreen
I hope the complainers dont go to spain or france, its common to see nudity on the beaches of europe, not to mention nude statues in museums!
beach users
Posted on 27-04-2012 09:06 | By sanna
i often walk my dog on the beach. i go on at waiariki st & turn left (mt way) or right (nudist beach way) depending on the wind. both ways, i will meet a total of maybe 5-6 people, mostly dogwalkers. occasionally, there will be a few people in the surf either swimming, fishing or getting tuatua, but not often. where are all these textiles who always use the beach & are being offended by naturists? who, by the way, are not weirdos. as rangi says, there are 359 other degrees to look.i am also a naturist & sometimes walk the nudist part naked & have had no adverse comments from other dogwalkers i have encountered. they'll stop & chat while the dogs play.
Naturists
Posted on 27-04-2012 09:16 | By JImbo 2
Naturists (nudists) follow a strict code of non offending behavior when visiting the beach & can't be held responsible for the behavior of others. Like most things a minority spoil it for the majority. The section of beach used is at least 200 metres from any residential properties, so to reach it takes a deliberate walk. It has been suggested to council in the past that signs be erected advising of nudity on this section of beach but i believe there is some issue with the landowners who hold riparian rights. I agree with other comments that the proposed meeting will definitely be one sided without input from naturists.
Well said Morepork
Posted on 27-04-2012 09:33 | By RawPrawn
One of the more worrying aspects of this story is that the Mayor will have met only with people who bought these properties either without thorough deliberation, thus their judgenment is questionable, or with the deliberate intention of creating mischief. Perhaps the headline should read 'Resident's Activity Upsets Nudists
It is not illegal to be nude.
Posted on 27-04-2012 10:05 | By SpeakUp
But what IS illigal is offensive/obscene behaviour. Nudists will definitely NOT offend others and will refute obscene behaviour of the few who abuse nudity. Nudists have all their right to enjoy the beach on a traditionally nude section of a beach that stretches for miles. But some people seem to still live in Victorian times. And their kids will grow up to be intolerant prudes as well. I agree with all pro-nudist comments here.
CAMERA COMPETION
Posted on 16-05-2012 20:30 | By PLONKER
I think that there is a bit of competion for the best spots.
YEAH
Posted on 18-05-2012 10:57 | By TERMITE
Best camera to
prudes
Posted on 25-05-2012 10:16 | By dugger
NZ no1 country for prudishness? It's only bodies get over it.
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