What?
The 2024 Joint NZ Skeptics and NZARH Conference.
We’d love to see you at this year’s conference, where we’re planning a jam-packed weekend of talks, entertainment and socialising. Join us and hang out with like-minded people, at the southernmost skeptics conference in the world!
When?
On the weekend of the 15th to 17th of November.
Conference festivities begin Friday night with a social gathering, followed by an entire weekend of skeptical talks from knowledgeable, engaging speakers – running from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sunday. And, if you’re not tired after the first day of talks, there will be an opportunity to join other skeptics for a meal at a local on Saturday evening.
Where?
Our venue for the weekend is the Fickling Convention Centre, in Three Kings, Auckland.
Full details to come regarding location and timing of social activities
Who?
We’re lining up some great speakers to talk to us about a wide range of interesting skeptical topics. Our weekend will be both broad and deep in its coverage of skeptical themes. Keep checking this page we confirm more speakers and add them over the next few months.
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Craig Hoyle
“Excommunicated: From cult to skeptic” (Speaking Sunday 11:05 – 12:00) Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family’s tyre shop. After facing interrogations and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and lost his…
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Gavin Ellis
“The Day the News Dies’” (Speaking Saturday 9:00 – 9:55) Dr Gavin Ellis ONZM is an honorary research fellow at Koi Tū: The Centrefor Informed Futures. He is a media consultant, commentator and researcher withmore than five decades of experience in news media.. A former editor-in-chief of theNew Zealand Herald, he lectured on media and…
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Mary MacGregor-Reid
“Occult: The Hidden History of the Western Esoteric Tradition” (Speaking Saturday 11:05 – 12:00) Mary MacGregor-Reid is a contemporary artist with a lifelong interest in the occult. She is part of a network of similarly interested artists and academics who are delving into the fascinating area of esoteric study. Western esotericism informs her art work and…
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Michael Bancroft
Changing Collars- a journey out of the closet and the priesthood” (Speaking Saturday 9:55 – 10:50) In his presentation Michael will seek to share something of his personal journey of faith and sexuality which led him into a life within the (Catholic) Church Ministry and eventually his journey ‘out’ in both respects. Ex- Catholic Priest,…
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Natasha Mckean
Natasha is a postdoctoral scientist working for the University of Auckland. She uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to develop sheep models of Alzheimer’s Disease with the hope of eventually finding a cure. She did a Bachelor of Science at Massey University majoring in genetics and zoology, followed by a Master of Science in evolutionary biology.…
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Niki Harre
“The role of emotions and values in social change’” (Speaking Saturday 13:00 – 13:55) Niki Harré is a professor at the University of Auckland specialising in the psychology of sustainability. Her research examines environmentally sustainable organisations, citizenship, values, the role of religion and political activism. In 2007 she co-edited the book Carbon Neutral by 2020: How…
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Patsy Spicer
“Conflict: behavioural and psychological aspects. A personal view” (Speaking Sunday 9:55 – 10:50) Patsy tries to dig deeper into the sources of interpersonal conflict to provide another avenue towards mutual understanding. Patsy Spicer (aka Patsy Dye) BHB, MB,ChB AucklandNHS GP (retired), Atheist. Patsy has spent her adult professional life flying the flag for medicine and…
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Robert Bartholomew
“Sex, Bugs & Sonic Attacks: How Mating Insects & Bad Science Created ‘Havana Syndrome’” (Speaking Saturday 15:05 – 16:45) Dr Robert Bartholomew is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland. He has published numerous books addressing topics on the margins of science including UFOs, lake monsters, hauntings, and Bigfoot.…
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Stephane Janson
“Artificial intelligence: The end of humanity? The foundation for a golden age? Let’s explore!” (Speaking Sunday 13:00 – 13:55) Steph Janson is a professional Venture Capital investor that has helped funds around the world invest in AI startups. Steph has led teams of analysts to make investments into AI companies such as: He wants you…
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Tim Welch
“Everything you know about transportation is wrong!” (Speaking Saturday 13:55 – 14:50) Transportation plays a significant role in our daily lives, impacting everything from the food we eat to the places we live and even the relationships we develop. But although we all engage with transportation, misconceptions about driving, cycling and public transit, particularly in…
How Much?
Whether you want to take advantage of all the conference has to offer or just want to join for a day, we have multiple ticket options HERE (and early bird specials!) which include a catered Lunch with a morning/afternoon tea.