Country
New Zealand
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
October to April (pool heated); spa, hot tub and most facilities year-round
About Wellington Naturist Club
Wellington Naturist Club is one of New Zealand's oldest naturist clubs. It began as the Wellington Sun Club, founded by Percy Cousins in 1951; the present site was bought in 1955 and the club was incorporated in 1956. The grounds cover 4.8 hectares (12 acres) at Te Marua at the northern end of Upper Hutt, just off State Highway 2, and the club is affiliated with the New Zealand Naturist Federation. Facilities are better than many small clubs: a large outdoor pool heated to around 28 C from October to April, an outdoor hot tub and an indoor spa heated all year, a sauna fired up on request, a main hall with catering kitchen, a modern guest kitchen and several barbecues. Visitors can hire campsites or cabins with parking beside them. Nudity is expected around the grounds, with exceptions at some events such as dinners and in cold weather, and no clothing at all is allowed in the pools or sauna. The club holds open days with free tours and a summer festival over the New Year period, and it is busiest on sunny weekends.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity on private club land is lawful in New Zealand; the grounds are gated and visits are by booking.
New Zealand has no specific law prohibiting public nudity on beaches; however, individuals can be prosecuted under the Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 4, which criminalises "indecent exposure" when nudity is deemed obscene or indecent. The law specifies: "Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, in or within view of any public place, intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his person." Court decisions have generally distinguished between non-sexual social nudity and indecent exposure, with naturism increasingly recognized as legitimate.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
The club is at Te Marua, about 7 km north of Upper Hutt town centre on SH2; the entrance is near the Plateau Road corner, where there is a dairy. Inside the gate take the first left before the bridge for visitor parking. Visitors must book a visit online or via the club cellphone (027 3306 212) and are then given gate entry details; the gate may be locked otherwise. On open days the gate is open and no booking is needed. Visitor fees are posted at the club rather than online; adult membership was listed at NZ$320 a year.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
-41.0928, 175.1342
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit without being a member?
Yes. Book a visit online or by phone and you will be given gate details; open days need no booking.
Is nudity required?
Nudity is expected on the grounds and no clothing is allowed in the pools or sauna, though clothing is fine at some events, in cold weather or for sun protection.
Is it open in winter?
Yes. Most facilities, including the heated spa and hot tub, are open all year; the outdoor pool is heated only from October to April.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes, campsites and cabins can be hired.
Sources
- Wellington Naturist Club
- Wellington Naturist Club - FAQ
- NZNF naturist clubs - Wellington Official
- Wellington Naturist Club open day (Wellington Heritage Festival)
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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