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NZ Skeptics is a New Zealand incorporated society created in 1986, with the aim of promoting critical thinking. The main areas of interest to the NZ Skeptics are claims of Psychic ability, alternative medicine, creationism and other Pseudo-science. At its founding in 1986, it was known as the New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (NZCSICOP). In 2007 the name was formally changed to NZ Skeptics Incorporated.
The society does not address the topic of religion, not only because there are other organisations better equipped to deal with it, but also because religion is not testable unless the supporter makes a specific claim. The founders felt that people with religious beliefs could also be skeptical of claims of the paranormal and did not want to exclude them.
Due to a concern that the word "skeptic" was being confused by the public and media with respect to climate change NZSI made the following statement in 2014:
Shortly after its inception in 1986, the society produced a quarterly journal, The New Zealand Skeptic, which they sent out to all members. In 2015 NZSI adopted a logo that incorporates a kiwi, koru and a question mark, and released a new website and journal. The website was updated in 2020, and around that time the journal was discontinued and replaced by an emailed newsletter and a fortnightly podcast (the Yeah... Nah! podcast).
In 1989 after its first conference NZSI had 80 members; by 1999 there were over 500 members. Some notable skeptics such as James Randi, Richard Dawkins, Susan Blackmore, Ian Plimer and John Maddox had visited in that time.
On 30 January 2010, members in Christchurch participated in a mass overdose, a protest against the selling of homeopathic remedies in pharmacies. The protest was in line with similar activities held on the same day by the in the UK.
The first New Zealand SkeptiCamp was held at the Black Dog Brewery in Wellington.
Skeptics in the Pub events are held throughout New Zealand in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Nicholson talked about her life history as a psychic for 18 minutes and opened up the lecture for questions. Despite being skeptical, the audience remained respectful and questioning.
Nicholson stated that her friends told her not to attend the conference, but she said, "I believe in healthy discussion, and we all have our opinions and that's great. I'm not here to prove anything. I'm not here to convince you. We all have our thoughts, we all have our ideas and that's how the world goes around."
Newshub attended Nicholson's lecture and wrote, "But despite a colourful performance from Ms Nicholson, this lot remains unconvinced." Nicholson agreed to talk at the conference with the stipulation that the $500 speakers fee would be donated to a Women's Refuge."
The organisation has remained critical of psychics such as Nicholson. In 2018, NZ Skeptics denounced those who claim they can help locate missing persons, contacting families with information. Referring to one such case, NZ Skeptics Society chair Craig Shearer insisted those "grief vampires" never actually helped police solve a disappearance.
Because of the way the NZCSICOP public statements were worded, they were not a party to this action, and escaped what could have been a crippling penalty. The constitution provides suspension or expulsion of any member who brings the society into disrepute. Reeves left NZCSICOP shortly after the judgment was made. The case is recorded as Saxon v Reeves High Court Dunedin A39/87.
International guests have raised New Zealand's general awareness of skepticism. In July 1993 James Randi toured New Zealand, visiting Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. "However, those unable to see him in person had plenty of opportunity to see him on TV, hear him on radio and read about him in newspapers and magazines. He was tireless in submitting himself to the punishing round of interviews, etc, arranged by our enthusiastic Media Representative. Every interviewer wanted to see him bend spoons, and he left behind him a trail of bent and broken cutlery, the bill for which was not negligible."
George Hrab travelled to the North Island on 1 December 2014, stopping over in Wellington for a special skeptics dinner event. Seating was limited to twelve, and tickets were auctioned in a blind auction on the NZ skeptic website.
| List of Conferences |
| First conference held at the University of Otago. Registration $5–$10. |
| Firewalking held |
| Membership moves to over 300 persons. |
| Held at the Chanel Conference Centre |
| John Welch opened conference with "do-it-yourself acupuncture". Conference attendees over 140. |
| "You Are Not Alone" Conference title "From ERA to EAV, the Sorry Saga of the Black Box" by David Cole |
| Theme Evolution, Creationism and Education |
| Held at the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls |
| Held at St. Andrews College |
| Held at the Victoria University |
| Held at St. Andrews College |
| Held at the Millennium Centre, Rotorua Boys High School |
| Held at King's College; 20th Anniversary Celebration |
| Held at St. Andrews College |
| Held at Waikato Diocesan College |
| Documentary Poisoning Paradise: Ecocide in New Zealand was shown and dissected by the Skeptics as a "political push to stop 1080 poisoning that isn't based on sound scientific facts." |
| Firewalk on Friday the 13th, conference registration $60–80. |
| 150 in attendance |
| Held at Otago University |
| Keynote Pamela Gay Free conference registration for anyone using psychic powers revealing contents of a sealed envelope. |
| Pricing $195–155, live recording of the SGU podcast. SGU quiz show on Friday night run by George Hrab. |
| Called "Apocalypse How?" |
| Theme – Get Thee To The Nunnery! |
| Venue – Butterfly Creek |
| Main venue – The Great Hall, in the Christchurch Arts Centre and pre-conference gathering at a reputed haunted house |
| The conference was held at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. The speakers included an acupuncturist listed as a "mystery guest" who, in answer to a question after his presentation, said that he didn't like "being grouped with pseudoscience". One reviewer expressed their opinion that there is value in those practicing alternative medicine and skeptics having "polite and calm conversations about difficult subjects". |
| This joint conference of NZ Skeptics and the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH) was held at the Fickling Convention Centre. |
| Denis Dutton Skeptic of the Year Award details |
| For tirelessly battling pseudoscience via the ASA, MedSafe and many other means, and for creating the Society for Science Based Healthcare. |
| For his work as President of Making Sense Fluoride, including giving a presentation to Hutt City Council – as well as his efforts helping to run the Society for Science Based Healthcare, NZ Skeptics and the Skeptical Activism group in Wellington |
| For her continued efforts to bring skepticism to the media. This year alone she's taken on MPs, anti-vaxxers and Mike Hosking, tackled topics such as e-cigarettes and the zika virus, and appeared in her regular radio slot "Skeptical Thoughts" with Graeme Hill on RadioLive. |
| For their courageous and highly visible contributions to the promotion of immunisation and vaccination in New Zealand. |
| For her tireless efforts as editor of the NZ Skeptics quarterly journal |
| No individual winner |
| For his journalistic work in exposing the abusive behaviour and pracficss of Arise Church's leadership as well as serious issues with other religious organisarions including City Impact Church, Bethlehem College, and Hillsong Church. |
| For ensuring people are informed about cults and that those who leave them are well supported, in particular her work in organising and running the Decult conference held in Christchurch earlier this year. |
| Bravo Award details |
| Kaimanawa Wall critical coverage |
| 21 March 1995 article on the "Tabaash phenomenon", an investigation into a Wellington channeller |
| Christchurch Civic Creche case TV documentary |
| TV documentary on false memory syndrome |
| For the shows The Doctor Who Cried Abuse and Ellis Through the Looking Glass |
| Weird Science and Suppressed Inventions and other Discoveries |
| For False Memory Syndrome |
| Apocalypse Soon |
| Loving the Aliens |
| Psychics who give "lucky lotto numbers" |
| For working against psychics in the Olivia Hope and Ben Smart disappearance |
| "0900 psychic hotlines" |
| Health columnist |
| The Mighty Moa |
| Wellness column in Grace |
| Article on Quantum Booster and on Cellasene |
| Article on quantum radio frequency booster |
| Article on how to assess medical claims |
| For work with Ellen Greve "Jasmuheen" |
| Interview of John Read |
| God's Classroom |
| Fiordland moose interview |
| Gardening column |
| Calling 0900 Psychic… Okay, now tell me something I don't know |
| Commentaries on cancer remedies |
| A City Possessed: the Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
| Health columns including Silent Spring Fever and Get your snake oil here |
| A Monstrous, Lethal Arrogance |
| Press columns |
| Alternative medicine claims in Northland |
| Publication of transcripts from the Christchurch Civic Creche case |
| Comments regarding Intelligent Design |
| Mannatech's sugar-coated moneymaker |
| Star Power |
| Article psychic and medium business |
| Leadership in critical thinking |
| Clairvoyants dead wrong |
| Psych Addictive |
| Attempt to provide standards and accountability via the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill |
| Interviews with psychic Deb Webber and Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy |
| 2008 Big Science Adventure video competition |
| The column I see dud people |
| "Every week Colin and Jeremy cast a critical eye on New Zealand media." |
| Documentary The Worst That Could Happen |
| Filtering the Truth |
| The Devil's in the Details |
| Item on Victoria University's embarrassment over the homeopathy course it was offering |
| An informative look at the belief that amber teething necklaces leach a substance to help babies with pain and depression. |
| Column Why psychics should butt out of the Aisling Symes case |
| Article on 1080 |
| Sceptics revel in Hokitika ‘earthquake’ non-event |
| Health columns |
| Supporting evidence-based medicine as the core focus for hospital care |
| Article Can we communicate with dead people? |
| Getting the Immunisation Awareness Society status corrected within the Charities Register |
| Challenging of pseudoscience on Radio Live |
| Coverage of the dangers of Miracle Mineral Solution. |
| Excellent submission and submitting a letter to the Editor of the NZ Medical Journal |
| Rebuttal in the Herald to TV3's emotional 3D programme on Gardasil |
| Skeptical angle on All Black, Waisake Naholo's "miracle" natural cure |
| Rebuttal of claims made in an NZ Herald article entitled: Hope is in the air: Hyperbaric chambers – the real deal or a placebo? |
| Writing pro-vaccine articles and publicly taking on the anti-vaxxers |
| Skeptical parenting articles |
| Article on 2016 New Zealand earthquakes providing scientific explanation for origin. |
| Article debunking |
| Provided data to The New Zealand Medical Journal detailing scientific research into Chiropractic |
| For his article Don't waste money on superfoods and supplements |
| for his article criticising "Sensing Murder" in his article Sensing Murder a 'grotesque sham' |
| For discussing Naturopathy and cancer sufferers speaking out in his article Naturopathy under microscope after cancer sufferers speak from under shadow of death |
| For the article I tried a Shakti mat and it wasn't relaxing or fun |
| For the article Breastfeeding: Why is it such a battle ground? |
| For the clip Repressed Memories: Sensing Murder, the show that refuses to die |
| For the article Whanganui woman says her $4000 water machine is a life-changer, but experts say otherwise |
| Special mention for The mystery of Zach, New Zealand's all-too-miraculous medical AI – [1] |
| For the article "Psychics like Jeanette Wilson are moving into the wellness industry and it's dangerous" |
| For the article Homeopathic treatment claims to 'cure' autism in NZ |
| For the article Snake oil claims allowed to go on too long |
| For Hannah and Hattotuwa's efforts as part of The Disinformation Project to document and combat misinformation and disinformation in New Zealand. For Clark's effort to study and combat the rise of the alt right in New Zealand. For Daalder's science-based reporting of diverse issues including climate change, energy, technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, public housing, far right nationalism and violent extremism. For the Stuff Circuit's team "Fire and Fury" documentary which looked at the role of disinformation and violent extremism at the 2022 Wellington protest. |
| For the work that the facebook-based group Debunking Conspiracies Aotearoa does in identifying conspiracy theories in New Zealand. For the skeptical content that Skeptical Kiwi promotes also on facebook. For the work done by New Zealand Conspiracy Loons in calling out NZ conspiracy information on their satirical YouTube channel. |
| For a team effort reporting on cults in their region and supporting the Decult conference. The award specifically recognises work by Martin Van Beynen, Sinead Gill, Tatania Gibbs and Philip Matthews. |
| Bent Spoon Award details | ||
| Alternative medicine article | ||
| Biodynamics as a serious pest control option | ||
| Satanic Memories documentary | ||
| Hitting Home report on domestic violence. | ||
| For seriously considering awarding a Bachelor of Science status for a course at Aoraki Polytech on naturopathy | ||
| Numerology lessons in maths class | ||
| For misleading the public over the truthfulness of an alleged documentary on alien abductions | ||
| Coverage given to the Liam Williams-Holloway case | ||
| Supporting healing hands therapy by its nurses | ||
| Hallelujah Healing documentary on faith-healing | ||
| For supporting the concept of biodynamic's "etheralised Cosmic-Astral influences" as a means of ridding New Zealand of possums | ||
| For refusing to open the can of worms that is the Christchurch Civic Creche case (Goff was awarded the first-ever Bent Can Opener Award from the New Zealand Skeptics) | ||
| For reporter Melanie Reid's 22 August segment "Back from the Dead" profiling Taranaki medium Jeanette Wilson | ||
| For identifying homeopathic training as a nationally important strategic priority for New Zealand. | ||
| Come and Be Healed the article in the Listener on Brazilian medium and "miracle-worker" João de Deus. | ||
| For her 31 August interview with self-proclaimed energy healer and clairvoyant Simone Simmons, who claims to be visited regularly by the spirit of Diana, 10 years after the death of the Princess of Wales. | ||
| For promoting psychics as "just another tool" in the investigative policing toolbox, helping the "exploitainment" show Sensing Murder | ||
| For their documentary Poisoning Paradise – Ecocide in New Zealand which claims that 1080 kills large numbers of native birds, poisons soils, persists in water and interferes with human hormones. | ||
| For supporting homeopathic practices on the farm, thereby indicating an ignorance of basic science and a lack of concern for animal welfare. | ||
| For taking Ken Ring's earthquake prediction claims at face value | ||
| For continuing to promote homeopathic products as a viable alternative to evidence-based medical treatments | ||
| For ignoring the evidence of the public health value of fluoridation | ||
| For signing a petition that called on the World Health Organisation to "End the suffering of the Ebola crisis, by testing and distributing homeopathy as quickly as possible to contain the outbreaks." | ||
| For suggesting, when faced with the fact that pharmacists were not complying with their Code of Ethics, that a viable solution was to change their Code of Ethics. | ||
| For publishing a variety of pseudoscience articles presented as fact without refutation | ||
| For their attempt to balance the need for evidence-based treatments for animals with the desire of veterinarians to sell unproven therapies | ||
| For coverage of a story about health fears from mobile phone towers. The story featured a woman who has built a wall to keep out radiation after two mobile phone towers were built near her home. After the segment Hilary Barry expressed her opinion that she "wouldn't want to live beside two" phone towers and that she "would be tempted to build a wall like Marta has". | ||
| For showing the most egregious gullibility in 2019 for the contractor's use of water divining to find underground pipes | ||
| 2021 | Simon Thornley | "For standing out as an academic who has opposed NZ's approach to dealing with COVID." |
| For using his online media platform The Platform to host controversial hosts such as the far right Counterspin Media, Chantelle Baker, Jordan Peterson, Brian Tamaki, Avi Yemini, and Bob McCoskrie. Lack of understanding of science and public policy regarding vaccination, the Three Waters reform programme, climate change, and the work of The Disinformation Project. | ||
| In recognition that the organisation was unjustified in awarding the 1995 Bent Spoon Award to the Ministry of Justice for the report Hitting Home. In holding itself publicly accountable, NZ Skeptics acknowledges that their claim the report "trivialises the real domestic violence that goes on in New Zealand" was not justified as later careful reading of the report showed that the authors were "well aware of these potential issues, and were careful to let the readers know of the factors that needed to be borne in mind when reading the report". The current committee of NZ Skeptics unanimously agreed the award was not justified and offer an apology to the authors of the report. The Bent Spoon is awarded to NZ Skeptics for a "lack of critical thinking". | ||
| For promoting pseudoscientific alternative medicine. King Charles' decision to appoint a homeopathy-appointing doctor as head of the royal medical household in December 2023 had previously raised concerns amongst academics, including Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor at the University of Exeter, who said the support for homeopathy undermines "undermining evidence-based medicine and rational thinking". | ||
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