The Nature of Nature: How New Zealand Women in Middle to Later Life Experience Nature-Based Leisure

Abstract

This article explores how women in middle to later life from Aotearoa-New Zealand understand and experience nature in the context of their outdoor leisure. Using a qualitative gender-informed methodology, multiple interviews were conducted with 11 women. Three key themes were revealed: First, nature was more than words, with women transgressing mechanistic conceptions of nature. Second, nature was understood as a sensory experience, defined by the five senses as well as through spiritual description. Finally, for these women, nature was expressed as “a part of me,” demonstrating a deep connection to the outdoors. The study findings help to rethink traditional conceptions of nature-based recreation.

Keywords:

• leisure
• middle/later life
• New Zealand
• resistance
• wilderness
• women

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a research grant from the School of Education at the University of Waikato. The authors also wish to acknowledge the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers.

Notes

^aUnless otherwise stated pseudonyms have been used.

^bTramping is a term used to refer to walking outdoors in non urban areas and can be on or off established tracks.