Kiwis bare all for International Day Without Togs

Naturalism fans are leaving the togs at home to make International Day Without Togs today. Photo / File

New Zealand's nudist groups are out on the beaches today at several events throughout the country marking "International Day Without Togs".

Official events are happening in five locations around the country, from Northland to Christchurch and Kiwis are being called to try leaving the togs at home and experiencing how "free" it feels to go to the beach nude.

You don't need to go to any of these locations to celebrate the day. As Wendy Lowe, president of Free Beaches, told Newshub: "it is not illegal to be naked in public".

Kiwis are being encouraged to leave their togs at home today. Photo / File

"It is great for your mental wellbeing - just that whole freedom and getting closer to nature when you haven't got any clothes on. You also learn tolerance and respect for other people, as well as gaining much better self-esteem," she added.

Police are aware of the celebrations and say they will attend any calls over alleged offensive behaviour.

Not all the beaches where the events will take place are specifically nude beaches and, while the act of being naked on the beach does not constitute an offence, it can fall under "indecent exposure in a public place" depending on the person's intent and behaviour while naked.