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
Real Memories of False Facts
Maryanne Garry, Kellie Fitzmaurice
1 May 1999
Approx. 13 min read
From the newspapers
1 August 1987
Approx. 9 min read
The Challenge to Reason
Owen McShane
1 February 1995
Approx. 8 min read
Active Skepticism
Vicki Hyde
1 February 1996
Approx. 11 min read
Topic Spotlight: control
The (bad) science behind the MMR hoax
Siouxsie Wiles
The world-wide panic over the MMR vaccine was sparked by the actions of one doctor who breached several standards of scientific practice. This article is based on a presentation to the 2010 NZ Skeptics conference.
1 August 2011
Approx. 9 min read
The 10 Myths of 1080
Harry Broad
Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) is a proven tool in the New Zealand pest control arsenal, but significant opposition to its use continues, much of it irrational. This article is based on a presentation to the 2011 NZ Skeptics Conference.
1 February 2012
Approx. 10 min read
Birth Control Blues: TikTok is pushing contraceptive skepticism, but are influencers getting the science right?
Bronwyn Rideout
It has been a bad week for anyone who takes a birth control pill as a contraceptive or an abortifacient. Well, specifically a bad week for people in America or whose health care is impacted by the decisions of the President of the United States.
15 September 2025
Approx. 11 min read
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