Wednesday, 06 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

The end is definitely not nigh, say NZ Skeptics

Herald on Sunday
By Celeste Gorrell Anstiss
14 Aug, 2010 05:30 PM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

It's official. The world will not end in 2012.

That's the good oil from NZ Skeptics which is holding its annual conference in Auckland this weekend.

"This idea that a large, unknown planet is going to swing by and take out Earth in just a couple of years' time ... there are a lot of people who genuinely believe this is going to happen," said NZ Skeptics chairwoman Vicki Hyde.

"There's certainly no scientific evidence to show this."

Hyde said she knew people who planned to have pets euthanased because they believed the world was ending.

"The problem is ignorance has its consequences," she said.

Also getting a caning from NZ Skeptics were homeopathic therapy, Power Balance sports bracelets and TV's Paul Henry.

"It's easy to get sucked into things, you don't have to be a fool to be foolish."

Rural Women of New Zealand won this year's Bent Spoon, an award which recognises the failings of a person or group "who should have known better".

"They endorsed the use of homeopathic treatment for sick animals and gave their 'enterprising woman' award to a company that sells the stuff. But it's just water, that's what homeopathic means," Hyde said.

"People think it has active ingredients but the truth is you will pay $10 or more for a teaspoon of water. Research has shown it is no more effective than a placebo."

Power Balance bands - which claim to improve sport performance by interacting with the body's magnetic field were debated and Breakfast's Henry got another towelling for last year having a psychic find the location of missing 3-year-old Aisling Symes.

"The psychic was over here from Australia to tout ticket sales for her upcoming tour.

"She said Aisling's body was in a ditch, and when she was found in an enclosed drain they all patted themselves on the back and thought it was a terrific hit."

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Politics

Shane Jones to ask Speaker about Te Pāti Māori oath of allegiance to King Charles

05 Dec 08:03 PM
New Zealand

Massive crash at Meeanee Speedway

New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

Baby Ru’s mum claims she knows who killed her son

05 Dec 07:31 PM
New Zealand

'How entitled': Wellington rental wants tenant to work as security guard

05 Dec 07:24 PM

Toy trends for Christmas

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Shane Jones to ask Speaker about Te Pāti Māori oath of allegiance to King Charles

Shane Jones to ask Speaker about Te Pāti Māori oath of allegiance to King Charles

05 Dec 08:03 PM

NZ First MP will ask if the Te Pāti Māori MPs fell foul of the requirements

Massive crash at Meeanee Speedway

Massive crash at Meeanee Speedway

Baby Ru’s mum claims she knows who killed her son

Baby Ru’s mum claims she knows who killed her son

05 Dec 07:31 PM
'How entitled': Wellington rental wants tenant to work as security guard

'How entitled': Wellington rental wants tenant to work as security guard

05 Dec 07:24 PM
More houses coming
sponsored

More houses coming

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP