Naturist accused of mowing lawns naked

Naturalist Andrew Pointon. File photo / Herald on Sunday

A Tauranga naturist who successfully appealed an offensive behaviour conviction for jogging naked will next month defend two similar charges relating to mowing his lawns nude.

A March 26 judge-alone defended hearing was this morning set down for Andrew Pointon, 47, when his case was called in Tauranga Registrar's Court. He has earlier denied two charges of offensive behaviour relating the alleged lawn mowing incident which triggered complaints to police.

The latest allegations relate to Pointon allegedly mowing his lawns on January 5 and March 31 last year naked in the presence of two young children and other adults at a property in Tauranga where he was living.

Pointon's earlier conviction for jogging naked in a public reserve in August last year was quashed on appeal in November by Justice Paul Heath.

Pointon then described Justice Heath's ruling as "momentous".

In cases of public nakedness, police refer to the Summary Offences Act 1981 and consider whether a person's action constitute obscene/indecent exposure, offensive behaviour, or disorderly behaviour.

In the case of lewd behaviour, they look to the Crimes Act.

Pointon organised a controversial Tauranga New Zealand World Naked Bike Ride in March 2012, which was criticised because it was viewed by Papamoa community members as provocative and offensive.

He could not be reached today.