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
Physical and Financial Health?
Jay D. Mann
1 November 1993
Approx. 9 min read
Tarawera
Philip Bradley
1 November 1989
Approx. 13 min read
Hokum Locum
John Welch
1 February 1993
Approx. 10 min read
The Great Zeppelin Scare of 1909
Robert E. Bartholomew
1 May 1998
Approx. 10 min read
Topic Spotlight: government
A Skeptics' Guide to Free Speech
Colin Gavaghan, Carol Jess
The 'free speech' debate is not a new one for NZ. But the past couple of years have certainly brought it into the spotlight. The screening of the anti-vaxxer film Vaxxed, the racist cartoons of Al Nisbet, the visits of the controversial Canadians Southern and Molyneux – the contentious case studies seem just to keep on coming. Magnified through the lens of social media, these have broadened the discussion about important matters, but have also risked polarisation and at times confusion, as half-truths and memes have sometimes replaced informed discussion.
1 February 2019
Approx. 9 min read
The engineering of a COVID origin conspiracy
Tim Atkin
On the 28th of April 2020 Dr. Yan Limeng, a virologist from China, arrived in the United States requesting asylum and claiming to have evidence that COVID-19 was deliberately engineered and released by the Chinese government. She was a legitimate scientist working in the field, having published articles on coronaviruses in reputable journals like The Lancet and Nature. The FBI interrogated her for several hours, and she was then permitted to stay in the US. Her safe passage out of Hong Kong was arranged and paid for by Chinese dissidents in the US allied with Steve Bannon (Breitbart news founder and former chief strategist to President Trump).
27 September 2022
Approx. 9 min read
Sovereign Citizens: Part One - Intro, Police and Councils
Katrina Borthwick
Buckle up for a deep dive on Sovereign Citizens and the law in New Zealand.
31 March 2025
Approx. 11 min read
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