Editor's pick
Global Skeptics in the Pub
David Almandsmith
The 3rd Annual 24-hour Global Skeptics in the Pub was held on International Skeptics Day, October 13, and it was FUN!
Approx. 1 min read
27 October 2026
Since its inception in 1986, the NZ Skeptics have been writing about pseudoscience and other fantastical claims in New Zealand and further afield - in our Journal (the NZ Skeptic), for radio interviews and more recently in our newsletter. This site contains all of those articles, which have been categorised and indexed for searching.
Latest Articles
Why is October 13 known as “International Skeptics' Day”?
Mark Honeychurch
In David Almandsmith's article in this issue of the newsletter, he questioned why October the 13th is International Skeptics Day, and announced that International Skeptics Day 2027 (October the 13th again) will be the date for the next event. Now, I have strong feelings about this (something that won't be much of a surprise for those of you who know me well!).
The Fun Police: Light Party haters
Bronwyn Rideout
In 2023 I wrote a gentle ribbing of New Zealand's annual transformation into Halloween grinches. At the time, I was surprised to discover that Light Parties were likely a New Zealand invention. For the uninitiated, Light Parties are promoted as a more positive, Christian alternative to their obnoxious, American cousin. They're like a Sunday School session with more candy: they're held in the daytime, scary costumes are discouraged, and there may be a Christian crossword or two involved.
Poisoned Candy
Katrina Borthwick
It's about to be Halloween - an imported celebration of sorts that has creeped its way over to New Zealand. I have written about the pagan origins of Halloween before, but if I was to talk about the modern version of All Hallows Eve then I guess I would only need to say “costumes and candy” and you would know exactly what day I'm referring to.
Decult 2026
Mark Honeychurch
I've just returned from this year's Decult, the conference run by journalist Anke Richter that focuses on cults and cult survivors. I figured I'd write a quick review of the talks I attended, along with my 19 year old daughter who also has an interest in cults. Like at the inaugural Decult two years ago, there were two rooms for the talks - one mainly focusing on panel discussions, and the other, smaller room mainly for solo talks. We found ourselves in the smaller room for most of the weekend, as I tend to find that giving people the space to give their personal stories, or focus on a topic for an extended period, is more engaging than the back-and-forth of panel discussions.
From the Archive
Chemicals In Food
Jay D. Mann
1 May 1991
Approx. 14 min read
Quackpots and Science
Bill Morris
1 February 1992
Approx. 9 min read
American Faith Healers
Keith Lockett
1 November 1987
Approx. 9 min read
Bruce Ames: Environmental Prophet or Apostate?
Jay D. Mann
1 August 1994
Approx. 12 min read
Topic Spotlight: nhp
Therapeutic Products Bill
Craig Shearer
There's a new bill being introduced to parliament that is intended to replace our Medicines Act 1981 and the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985. The bill is the Therapeutic Products Bill (TPB) and it's currently at Select Committee stage, meaning that the public is able to provide submissions on it (currently 30 days left as this is published). This presents a rare opportunity to provide input on legislation directly linked to our interests as a society, and we are unlikely to be involved in a legislative change of this magnitude encompassing therapeutic products again for quite some time.
16 January 2023
Approx. 12 min read
It's all about the NHPs
Mark Honeychurch
The proposed Therapeutic Products Bill is currently at the Select Committee stage in parliament, and the committee is looking for feedback via its submissions process. For the first time maybe since the repealed Quackery Prevention Act of 1908, this legislation will attempt to police “alternative medicine”. Almost everything about regulating Natural Health Products (abbreviated to NHPs in this legislation) is new territory. The main issue with this bill, at least from our reading of it, seems to be that the government considers evidence of historical use of an NHP treatment for a condition to be “substantiation” of any health claims about it. So, basically, if a natural health product has been used in the past for treating a medical condition, whether it actually helps or not, the government will just assume that it is effective. This, to my mind, is reckless and dangerous.
20 February 2023
Approx. 9 min read
Background
Craig Shearer
The Therapeutic Products Act is the most significant shift in the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products in almost 40 years. It will replace the Medicines Act 1981 and Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 with a new regulatory regime.
11 September 2023
Approx. 16 min read
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