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Inside an award-winning naturist camp

There is a common perception that New Zealanders do not favour naturism or nudist clubs and beaches.

But a little place in Katikati has won over a very influential group with their way of life.

At the recent New Zealand Tourism Awards, Kevin and Joan Sampson's naturist park won best holiday park.

If you're wearing anything, you're over dressed for the park.

Kevin and Joan's bare essentials had nothing to do with the tourism award for best camping ground however - it was their business acumen.

"I think it was a surprise we got right to the top at the end," says Kevin. "We knew we had a fairly good chance when most of our guests said we were the best or amongst the best of the holiday parks they'd stayed at in New Zealand."

"Kevin and Joan have put all their time into establishing this camping ground and it's just a well deserved award," says Dianne Hoskins, naturist. "Should've happened a long time ago."

The quality of the grounds swayed the judges, and that is partly thanks to the 12 semi-permanent residents who have added their own personal touches.

The park also practices sustainable living because naturism is about working in harmony with nature.

It is a way of life resident Heather Palmer has always wanted to live, and hopes the award will change perceptions.

"People will see it as something quite different - that we're just normal people," she says. "We have a lot of fun, it's lovely to get out in the air and the water so I think they'll see a different side of it, I hope."

Far from being exhibitionist hippies, Kevin used to work in treasury as an economist and Joan was a lab technician for MAF.

Then 14 years ago they gave in to the call of the wild. But clothes still play a part in their lives - they might be naturists but they are not stupid.

"We did a tramp earlier this year where there were stinging nettles," says Kevin. "We quickly put our clothes back on."

Naturism makes most of us giggle or even a bit uncomfortable. Recently when the Kapiti District Council voted to create the longest nudist beach in the world, locals were horrified.

The Sampsons, though, say it makes sense.

"In recent years it's become a real problem, because where ever you designate a beach or part of a beach as a nudist one you immediately attract all the undesirables, the pervert, the posers etc, but if you actually open up the whole beach, then genuine naturists can be safe and secure," says Kevin.

The Sampsons have a reputation for high standards of behaviour and safety, and they have an answer for those who worry about public nudity around children.

"All the research that's been done internationally about the effect of seeing naked people on children shows that in fact it is a positive effect," says Kevin. "The children learn about the human body, learn to accept it and have much greater confidence in themselves."

It is doubtful the two sides will ever agree, but Joan thinks the protective layers are slowly coming off.

"People are being more and more acceptable of other peoples' views. Not necessarily it's going to be right for them, but say 'So what, let people do their own thing.'"

The people of Katikati have not always been happy about the naturists in their back yard, but with greater understanding has come greater acceptance.

3news

2008.09.26 3news