New Zealand Skeptics

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The New Zealand Skeptics form a network of New Zealanders including magicians, teachers, scientists, health professionals and many others from all walks of life. Members have a variety of worldviews, but are all interested in examining what objective scientific support there is for claims of such things as psychic abilities, alternative health practices, creationism and other areas where science and pseudo-science interact.

Skeptics question practices that take advantage of people at their most vulnerable - cancer patients seeking alternative cures, grief-stricken bereaved seeking contact with the dead. These kinds of practices often prey upon the trust, hopes and fears, and exploit the lay public's lack of specialist knowledge. Where the potential for harm exists - whether physical, mental, emotional or economic - skeptics consider it unethical not to challenge such claims.

The New Zealand Skeptics was co-founded by David Marks, Denis Dutton and others in 1986. Other similar organisations exist in the USA (Committee for Scientific Inquiry), Australia (Australian Skeptics), and India (Indian CSICOP). Vicki Hyde is the current chair-entity.

Bob Brockie, a cartoonist, columinst and scientist is member.^[1]

Each year the New Zealand Skeptics give awards, notably the 'Bravo Awards' for "critical thinking in the public arena",^[2] and a 'Bent Spoon' award for "the most gullible or naive reporting in the paranormal or pseudo-science area"^[3].^[4]