Nude at the beach? Debate heats up on Waiheke

Debate about going nude at Waiheke Island beaches is heating up. Photo / File

Waiheke Islanders are having a cheeky chat about whether or not it is okay to strip down at the beach.

Resident Micah Courtney sparked the debate in a Facebook post where she said nudity had become more widespread this summer.

She told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking that when she went on a break last week she saw four naked woman, a topless woman and a naked man - all within half an hour.

"It was a bit awkward for me as I didn't mentally prepare myself for that," Courtney said.

"It does not offend me, I am only concerned that for some people it does."

Some beaches on the island - such as the eastern end of Onetangi and Palm beaches, sometimes called Little Onetangi and Little Palm - were generally known as nudist beaches.

However, people had been nude at spots like Enclosure Bay and Rocky Bay beach, where it didn't normally happen, she said.

"We do have beaches that are commonly used for it, so why not use those beaches?

"I think people should just use common sense and have consideration for other people around you."

A police spokesman said there was no specific offence for being naked in public. However, anyone who was concerned for their safety or the safety of others should contact police.

Each incident of nudity reported to police would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.