Latest Newsletter
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Echoes of Resilience
Cyrus came to New Zealand as a Quota Refugee. Humanist NZ supported Cyrus and his wife Ahoo as they settled into life in Porirua, and later in Auckland. He has now written his and Ahoo’s story in a book titled Echoes of Resilience. Cyrus has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to fund the publication of the book: One Man’s Journey from Tyranny to Truth…
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In Memory of Michael Gousmett
Charity law expert Michael Gousmett dies Written by Jake Kenny, May 21, 2025 A well-known researcher who often criticised New Zealand’s outdated charity and tax laws has died. Michael Gousmett, with his decades of experience in the charity sector, was the expert voice most regularly heard when organisations were accused of gaming the system. He spoke often about the country’s outdated regulations – a…
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Together We Can End Witch hunts and Ritual Attacks
Witch hunting persists because many countries and groups of countries like the Commonwealth have refused to speak out against these atrocities. The Commonwealth should break its silence on witch hunts and ritual attacks in member countries. It should join the UN in condemning these horrific abuses. The Commonwealth should add its voice to this campaign. It should highlight witch persecution and witch hunting during…
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An extract from the January 2025 End-of-Life Choice Society Newsletter
Greetings. Welcome to the New Year of 2025 and to another step forward in our campaign for the right to die with dignity. Forty-Six Years Of History The End-of-Life Choice Society NZ Inc was incorporated in May 1979, originally as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NZ Inc. May 2025 therefore marks 46 years of struggle for the right to die with dignity. We can…
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Post Conference Thoughts
From November 16th to 17th this year (2024, for those reading way in the future) we held our annual NZ Skeptics conference, and for the first time the conference was a joint effort with the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (NZARH). Joining with the NZARH for a conference, it turns out, was a stroke of genius in multiple ways. We shared a…
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Music Beyond Belief in Africa
Music beyond belief refers to irreligious music and songs, including humanist, atheist, and freethought songs. The pervasiveness of religion in Africa has made it difficult for many Africans to acknowledge, understand, or appreciate music and songs beyond the precinct of religion, faith, and belief in God. Gospel music and songs are among the most popular in Nigeria. Many artistes jostle to outgospel one another.…
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United Nations Human Rights Council Statement
In a joint statement made at the UN Human Rights Council, the Humanist Society of New Zealand, the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists, and Humanists International have commended progress on human rights issues in New Zealand, while warning against risks to advancements. The statement was delivered by Mark Honeychurch, Vice President of the Humanists Society of New Zealand, a member organisation of Humanists International.…
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Jim Ring, Nelson
I’ve been in contact with a lawyer on and off over the last couple of years regarding one of our old members – old both in terms of when they joined the society, and in terms of their age. Jim Ring was a frequent contributor to our Journal, the NZ Skeptic, writing both articles on a wide range of topics and many Letters to…
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Believing without evidence is always morally wrong
You have probably never heard of William Kingdon Clifford. He is not in the pantheon of great philosophers – perhaps because his life was cut short at the age of 33 – but I cannot think of anyone whose ideas are more relevant for our interconnected, AI-driven, digital age. This might seem strange given that we are talking about a Victorian Briton whose most…
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Pope Francis apologises for the Catholic Church’s Evil Abuse in Canadian Schools
In 2022, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Canada to apologise to indigenous people for abuse at catholic residential schools. This happened through 1800s to 1900s. The catholic church’s efforts to reconcile with native communities and help heal generations of trauma by catholic missionaries. Francis was met by Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s first indigenous Governor General Mary Simon. “Right now,…
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Atheists for MAGA?
Can an atheist play the Trump card? Short answer; Yes: ask Cardinal George Pell (not about atheism or Trump, but about his interpretation of Matthew 19: 14)1. Atheists are against supernaturalist deceitfulness but, being human, not above deception. Which is why atheism is not enough: it’s how you behave, not what you disdain, that marks your contribution – if any – to society. Take…
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The ‘Wisdom’ of the Not-So-Wise
“Sapientiam sapientum perdam!” (I will destroy the wisdom of the wise) – 1 Corinthians 1: 19) Why the obsession with submissive ignorance? Why ‘The Fall’ in the name of ignorance and/or as punishment for refusal to submit? Why the maleficence of vicarious punishment? Why the bishop’s crook, if not to symbolise a warped desire for power over compliant sheep? To have an intellect is…
