The nature of nature: how New Zealand women in middle to later life experience nature-based leisure

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.