Auckland NZARH Meetings
The NZARH is based in Auckland, where we have a vibrant and active community. Our headquarters, a building on Symonds Street in central Auckland called Rationalist House, is the location for many of our social events, although we also host events in the North Shore at Progress Hall.
Rationalist House
Monthly Meeting
We have monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm (except public holidays and January), at Rationalist House.
These events typically end at around 9pm.
Film Night
At our film nights, we watch a documentary of interest – followed by some discussion.
These occur on the last Wednesday of each month (except public holidays and December), from 6.30pm at Rationalist House.
Our next documentary on 28th of October is An Honest Liar, about a magician turned skeptic.
Book Club
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than in conversation about books and afternoon tea at the lovely Rationalist House?
Join our next book club meeting on Sunday the 15th of November from 1pm – 3pm at Rationalist House (held every other month).
Our present book is The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan.
Cult Leavers’ Peer Support Group
We’re starting our next series of the Cult Leavers’ Peer Support Group in March 2027. This is made up of 8 x 2 hour sessions each fortnight, facilitated by Beth Sinclair.
If you’re interested to join us, please get in touch: office@rationalists.nz
Each series consists of 8 fortnightly in-person 2-hour sessions facilitated by Beth St Claire, an experienced therapist with lived experience.
Beth St Claire is a registered psychotherapist in private practice in Auckland. In practice for over 15 years, she has specialised in trauma and abuse, life transitions and identity; especially in cases of gender diversity, dissociation, dysphoria, and experiences with cults and fundamentalist / high demand groups.
An experienced group facilitator, she has previously run online groups to support recovery from cult-type experiences, including spiritual and religious trauma.
Beth has lived experience with fundamentalist religion, cult involvement, and LGAT experiences, and has had formal training in trauma treatment approaches and cult recovery processes. Her research work for her master’s degree focused on the experience of those brought up in a cult but later living in the mainstream world independently as adults. She is part of the Australasian Religious Trauma Collective; the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Research Studies group, and networks of clinicians working with cultic and religious trauma and recovery. She also provides Clinical Supervision for other professionals working with clients with cultic and fundamentalist backgrounds.
New at Rationalist House: Coming out of Religion
The NZARH is pleased to be partnering with Silent Gays to host a new community gathering for Rainbow people who have experienced religious abuse or conversion therapy, or who are questioning or leaving their religious beliefs. These events will be held the first Saturday of the month from 12–3pm at Rationalist House.
The inaugural meeting will be held on Saturday 7 November. See the flyer below for further details.
North Shore
Monthly Meeting
We have a daytime meeting on the North Shore, on the last Thursday of each month from 10:30am until 12.30pm.
Location for meetings: Progress Hall, on the ground floor of the Bays Club. 6 Anzac Road, Browns Bay, Auckland 0630
The meetings are followed by a social lunch at a local cafe.
Venues
Rationalist House
Our premises in central Auckland, Rationalist House, is at 64 Symonds Street, Grafton. This is where many of our events are hosted. Our extensive library on the first floor is also available for our members to visit during the week.
Heart of the Bays
Progress Hall is an accessible venue that’s perfect for our social meetings.
