Judge's Ruling on Nudity 'Morally Bankrupt'

Family First NZ says that a High Court judge’s ruling that riding a bike naked is legal is morally bankrupt, offensive, and sets a dangerous precedent.

In the Wellington High Court today, Justice Clifford said that riding a bike naked on a public road had not met the test of offensive behaviour, and he cancelled a conviction and fine against a cyclist who had “disgusted” a female motorist with his nudity.

“Justice Clifford obviously has a completely different understanding of offensive behaviour to the majority of NZ’ers who do not want to be confronted by the full nudity of a male or female biker, and who believe that public nudity is inappropriate especially in places where children and families are present,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The judge’s decision is morally bankrupt and places the wellbeing and safety of families at risk with the precedent it sets. Parents will be doing all they can to protect their children from viewing the full nudity of strangers in public places.”

“The decision today means that any display of full nudity is now acceptable. This is not the standard that is in the best interests of children,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“We are interested to know whether nakedness is acceptable in Justice Clifford’s courtroom. We doubt it.”

Family First NZ is calling on the government to amend the Summary Offences Act and the Crimes Act so that public nudity is deemed offensive and indecent, and thereby illegal.

“It’s time the law started protecting and putting the welfare of children and families first,” says Mr McCoskrie. “The current law is far too liberal and vague and needs to be amended. The attitude of this judge highlights that urgent need.”