Awards
Craig Shearer - 1 February 2020
Bent Spoon Award Winner
For the New Zealand organisation which has shown the most egregious gullibility or lack of critical thinking in public coverage of, or commentary on, a science-related issue
The 2019 NZ Skeptics Bent Spoon award goes to Wellington City Council and their contractor Downer, who used dowsing to find buried water pipes.
The story was picked up by several media outlets, including Newsroom and Stuff:
Wellington ratepayers foot bill for pseudoscience
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/03/06/471504/wellington-ratepayers-foot-bill-for-pseudo-science
Wellington City Council contractor Downer uses ‘magic’ dowsing rods to find pipes
Bravo Awards
For high public profile media professionals who have provided food for thought, critical analysis and important information on topics of relevance to our interests. The 2019 Bravo awards go to Noel O’Hare of North & South magazine, Farah Hancock of Newsroom, and Tom O’Connor from Stuff.
- Noel O’Hare (North & South magazine) Psychics like Jeanette Wilson are moving into the wellness industry and it’s dangerous
This well-researched piece explains how some psychics have moved on from allegedly communicating with the dead to the field of wellness, calling themselves ‘intuitives’ or ‘intuitive healers’. The article particularly highlighted Jeanette Wilson, and reported that in her recent shows she had summoned “psychic surgeons” that were healing people, and that she was promoting a “healing powder”. The article also mentioned the work of Susan Gerbic and her stings on psychics (or, as she calls them, “grief vampires”) in the US.
- Farah Hancock (Newsroom) Homeopathic treatment claims to ‘cure’ autism in NZ
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/15/755008/autism-vaccines-and-homeopathy
The article reported on the introduction to NZ of CEASE therapy (Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression) by homeopaths, which is claimed to be a “cure” for vaccine induced autism. The article clearly explained that vaccines do not cause autism and that there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of CEASE therapy.
- Tom O’Connor (Stuff) Snake oil claims allowed to go on too long
https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/114508719/snake-oil-claims-allowed-to-go-on-too-long
The article reported on Dr Mitchell Dean Feller being struck off the register of New Zealand General Practitioners and fined $5000 and ordered to pay $56,100 in costs. His offence was peddling an untested concoction called Te Kiri Gold with claims it could kill cancer cells. This treatment was given publicity when it was taken by former All Black Sir Colin Meads.
Skeptic of the Year Award
Given to the skeptic who has had the most impact within New Zealand scepticism
$100 Prize and free membership for a year
There was no Skeptic of the Year! Our chair Craig Shearer said that although everyone had contributed, there wasn’t any one person that really stood out. Craig told everyone we had to try harder next year!
Lifetime Membership for Vicki Hyde
In recognition of outstanding and sustained contribution to promoting scientific scepticism and critical thinking in New Zealand. Thank you Vicki!