Women fight to Free the Nipple as they go topless on a New Zealand beach - but claim the protest attracted unwanted 'sexual' attention

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A group of protesters stripped off at an Auckland beach on Saturday to fight for the Free the Nipple movement, but not all went to plan when they attracted the attention of curious, snap-happy tourists.

About 40 protesters rid themselves of their bras at Mission Bay, New Zealand, to stand behind the movement, which has been making serious waves right across the world.

Organiser Grace Blundell, 22, abandoned her top for the cause, which she said she felt extremely passionate about.

About 40 protesters rid themselves of their bras at Mission Bay, New Zealand, to stand behind the Free the Nipple movement

Organiser Grace Blundell, 22, (right) abandoned her top for the cause, which she said she felt extremely passionate about

'Personally I want women to be able to have the choice, I want women to feel comfortable wearing whatever they want and not feel like they're being sexualised,' she said.

'I don't want to feel like I'm going to be judged by what I wear just because of my gender.'

The young New Zealand student said she was inspired to join the movement when she grew tired of 'cat calls' from men.

Ms Blundell (pictured) said she was inspired to join the movement when she grew tired of 'cat calls' from men

The Free the Nipple movement has been making serious waves right across the world

'It started from a young age even when I wasn't wearing revealing clothing,' she said. 

'It taught me that my body was inherently sexual, and I definitely don't think that should be the case.'

As a result of these experiences, Ms Blundell said she felt the need to stand up for change, however controversial it might be.

Ms Blundell (pictured) said she felt the need to stand up for change, however controversial it might be

Protesters converged at Mission Bay on Saturday to fight for their right to go topless 

Ms Blundell, a psychology and sociology student at Massey University in Albany, was just one of a group of both men and women, who felt the same desire for change

Ms Blundell, a psychology and sociology student at Massey University in Albany, was just one of a group of both men and women, who felt the same desire for change.

Stripping down to just bikini bottoms on the beach on Saturday, Ms Blundell said she felt empowered, but also couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Although she said attention was good because it created greater awareness for the cause, she said today proved not all attention was positive.

Groups of tourists bombarded the protesters, pointing their cameras at them to take photos, as they looked on in amazement

Ms Blundell said they garnered huge amounts of attention on the beach from some people who were just curious, and others who she felt did not understand the point they were making

Groups of tourists and other beach-goers bombarded the protesters, pointing their cameras at them to take photos, as they looked on in amazement. 

'Some were definitely taking photos in a sexual way,' she said. 

And while it was 'strange' Ms Blundell said she tried to view it positively.

'By doing this we're helping our cause and normalising it,' she said.

'If I were to stand up and make a big deal about them taking photos, it would go against what we were doing.

'But it also definitely felt weird because they were taking photos in a sexual way, not taking them because they understood the point we were making.' 

Ms Blundell said she found it difficult getting her point across to other curious beachgoers.

Women were not alone in their protest, men passionate about the cause also joined in 

While the protesters fought for a serious issue, they also had fun, enjoying a day at the beach

'One man asked me why we didn't choose to go to a nude beach, and I said "why haven't you asked that shirtless guy over there?"' she said.

'He looked dumbfounded, and I just explained to him that was the whole point.'

The 22-year-old said she understood there was a long way to go before change was plausible, but she said she saw light at the end of the tunnel.

She said the movement was inspired by the international Free the Nipple campaign which was itself inspired by the lesser-known male nipple liberation movement of the 1930s.

The movement was inspired by the international Free the Nipple campaign which was itself inspired by the lesser-known male nipple liberation movement of the 1930s

'Men weren't allowed to be topless until the late 1930s, it was just as illegal for them to show their nipples,' Ms Blundell said 

'Men weren't allowed to be topless until the late 1930s, it was just as illegal for them to show their nipples,' she said.

'But when they started protesting, the law was changed, along with social perception.

'I think a lot of people don't realise that, but the change they made makes me feel like this whole thing is possible.'

Ms Blundell said her passion for the cause was also inspired by Australian actor, model and DJ, Ruby Rose.

Ms Rose has been a public advocate for the movement, even posting controversial photos of herself with her nipple exposed online, only for them to be quickly deleted by various social media platforms. 

Ms Rose (pictured) has been a public advocate for the movement, which she claims to be passionate about