30 March 2026
Since 2019, the Korean-based Christian sect of Shincheonji has repeatedly landed itself in news headlines for its recruitment on university campuses in New Zealand and Australia. The most recent of these stories was published in February 2026, when a chaplain at the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch raised an alarm about the group's “dodgy practices”. This made me reflect on my own time at UC as an international postgraduate student, and what I observed in relation to religion-based student groups in universities and polytechnics across New Zealand.
2 October 2023
Crybully: “A person who engages in intimidation, harassment, or other abusive behaviour while claiming to be a victim” - Wiktionary
19 June 2023
In last week's newsletter, I set as best of a scene as I could with regards to who John Dalhoff/Ultimate was up to the early years of ZAP. In short, Dalhoff was the only son in a very wealthy immigrant family. He went to Massey University in Palmerston North, and did a lot of work with their student publication Chaff. In his 20s Dalhoff joined Scientology, and allegedly was involved in coordinating the gathering of information against enemies of Scientology until 1972, when he himself was kicked out for “ethics violations”.
1 August 2007
After years of planning and fund-raising among the faithful, the Creation Museum has finally opened in Kentucky (Los Angeles Times, May 31).
1 May 2004
A Pakeha student whose necklace was forcibly removed by a teacher -- even though Maori students are allowed to wear their taonga (treasures) -- has quit school over the incident. Megan Church complained to the Human Rights Commission about the Marlborough Girls College dress code.
1 November 2000
Taking a leaf from the UK Skeptic, we're turning our news clippings into a column. Which means I get to read them - never used to before! Many thanks to all those who've sent in material, and please keep it coming.
1 November 1996
One of the interesting things about the Skeptics is the wide range of opinions that can be found in our group -- not to mention the ever-readiness to express them. So I was interested to read Frank Haden's column on the conference and how he found it.