gonatural is the official magazine of the New Zealand Naturist Federation, a member-based organisation that is dedicated to informing the public about the benefits of naturism. Throughout New Zealand, NZNF-affiliated clubs are run by individuals committed to the naturist movement. gonatural has been their voice for the last 62 years.

The magazine was launched as The National Review in May 1956 by Stewart Ransom. In his first editorial, Ransom introduced his new venture with “from the tiny acorn grows the mighty oak”, as a symbol for what he hoped would become of the magazine.

Although he wished for it, Ransom couldn’t have predicted the longevity the magazine had now achieved. His proposal was to issue the magazine quarterly in February, May, August and November – a schedule that has been continuously upheld 62 years later.

The magazine received a revamped look in September 1958, with a new title: The National Naturist Review. A fitting new cover image was drawn by Wellington Sun and Health Society member Bob McIver which was used on every edition through to February 1963.

The November 1960 edition was the first to include photographs – editor Perc Cousins put out a call for photographs in the previous issue, urging readers to send through proofs with negatives. Cousins was regarded as the ‘Father of Naturism’ in New Zealand, because he advertised for other naturists to contact him via the UK’s Health and Efficiency magazine during the 1940s and 1950s.

The first edition, 1956.

It was a significant milestone for the publication, and Cousins wrote in the November 1960 edition: “These pictures will add to the interest of our readers, for all the descriptions in the world are never as good as the actual pictures.”

But with images came issues surrounding censorship. Current editor Michael P Moore says from the time images started popping up, editors were self-censoring some in order to avoid any accusations of creating explicit content. It wasn’t until issue 52 in 1969 when photographs were included without retouching.

The change came after Indecent Publications Tribunal findings from the year before proved that it wasn’t unlawful to print natural photographs. Cousins wrote at the time that members had been requesting unretouched images that better reflected the ideals of the movement. However, such content was still banned in Australia and the magazine went to the extra expense of providing Australian customers with a retouched edition.

When Cousins left the editor position in 1961 (he returned to the role between 1964 and 1969 when he died in office), the new editor, Gerald Wakely introduced a new name: The New Zealand Naturist. He also introduced a change from the standard cover graphic in 1963, using a different photograph for each edition – a practice that continues today.