Welcome. Since 1986, NZ Skeptics members have been sharing curious, critical writing about extraordinary claims in New Zealand and beyond - from classic NZ Skeptic journal pieces to newer newsletter and media commentary.
This archive brings all of that work together in one place. You can dive into the latest articles, explore older favourites, browse by topic or author, and follow how skeptical conversations have changed over time.
Editor's pick
I'm a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series of games, where you play an assassin in a virtual reality simulation of history. For me I think a large part of the attraction is a mix of how well the parkour parts of the game flow when you're in towns and cities, along with the completionist inside me that loves to 100% complete games that have a large task list of missions and collectables.
Approx. 8 min read
9 November 2026
Last night I was watching the first episode of a 2024 TV legal drama called 'Matlock'. For those who are old enough to recognise that name - it isn't a remake of the detective show. Anyway, what caught my ear in this show was when the main character Madeleine Matlock (played by Kathy Bates) said she had managed to get past law firm security and stand unnoticed in a partners' meeting because older women are 'invisible'.
Credit to the YouTuber Jen and her channel Fundy Fridays for putting out a video on this development; I still recommend watching Jen's earlier videos on The Botkin Family and the now-defunct Vision Forum that the Botkins were associated with:
On The Climate Brink on the 27th of October Zeke Hausfather wrote that “Off-grid data centers have 60-80% higher emissions”.
A few weeks ago I wrote about mouth tape, and threatened to buy some from Temu. So, while recording the Yeah… Nah! Podcast a few weeks ago, I jumped onto Temu, added a $5 box of tape to my basket, and clicked to check out:
1 August 1997
Approx. 11 min read
1 August 1996
Approx. 20 min read
1 November 1990
Approx. 10 min read
1 May 1993
Approx. 8 min read
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
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
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
