Decult

Happy International Women's Day 🧡

Recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups Update from the latest hearings by the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee. Credit: Parliament of Victoria and MP Ella George Facebook page

"Recruitment Methods & Impacts of Cults & Organised Fringe Groups"
Decult New Zealand @decult.bsky.social
4 Mar 2026 [0:00:37]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/iF9rCvmexk2McKV7TyZl_A

SHARE YOUR STORY | Stories that Stir Join us at a Stories that Stir™ event and share your raw, personal story aligned with our event themes! Whether inspiring, funny, sad, or shocking, your experience matters. Each event focuses on a uni...

Calling cult survivors to the stage!

Olive Leaf Network Australia and Stories That Stir® are launching a live storytelling series! Theme: BREAKING FREE: stories of courage, resilience & life after cults.
They are seeking 6 people to share a 10 min personal story of reclaiming voice. Info below:

Listen to survivors, not cult PR Are you worried about the escalating geopolitical situation? You’re not alone. Cult-proofing ourselves against undue influence and disinformation – and

Read our latest newsletter, out now! ✉️

Amongst the topics:
- Jehovah’s Witness escapes
- Call for Australian storytellers
- Gloriavale school stays open
and more!

Don't forget to sign up and get the latest cult news in your inbox 🗞️
decult.net/newsletter/l...

Thousands of children have been born and raised in high-control groups in New Zealand – not just at Gloriavale. Their safety, rights and futures are being repeatedly deprioritised. This failure of protection must become an election issue in 2026.

Decult 2024 panelist and former lawyer Dennis Gates has spoken out, warning that children are being left in a potentially unsafe environment. He now calls on the Children’s Commissioner to step in: “The welfare of children seems to have taken a backseat to the interests of the school’s leadership.”

The Gloriavale Christian School will remain open for now, despite the Ministry of Education cancelling its registration as a private school. A setback for everyone trying to stop the ongoing harm caused by this fundamentalist cult. The deregistration of Gloriavale as a charity is long overdue too.

Definitions - DECULT Welcome to the Decult Definitions mini-series!

This series is a simple, powerful resource that breaks down the language around coercive control and high-control groups. Let us know what you think!

decult.net/definitions/

Our Decult Definition Series from last year is now live on our website. There was a lot of positive feedback about this series and we are happy to now share it all in one place!

Doomsday Comedy - New Zealand Shows 2026 Join us for unforgettable evenings of dark humor and apocalyptic comedy in New Zealand.

www.doomsdaycomedy.com/newzealand-2...

Don't miss the shows in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch – a first in Aotearoa NZ.

“Kids in cults are the most invisible victims. We need to make sure their voices are heard.”

The Doomsday Comedy tour starts this weekend and will be supported by our trustee Mark Darbyshire.

Decult, a New Zealand charity that amplifies the voices of cult survivors, is helping the comedians get their show on the road. “This kind of creative activism is right up my alley,” says Christchurch journalist and Decult director Anke Richter.

His trip to New Zealand in the new year will be as part of a group called Doomsday Comedy, joining other ex-religious comics on the road. Dates are still being finalised, but he’s expecting to visit main centres in both islands.

We’re stoked that former Jehovah’s Witness and Doomsday comedian Jonas Skogstroll (Plat Jonas) had a full-page story in the Sunday Star Times – and we got a mention too!

2025 Recap: Empowering Survivors I’ve been shocked by the devastating terror attack at Bondi Beach. My heart is with those affected in Australia and with my Jewish friends around the world.

Want to make sure that you’re not missing any updates next year? Read our latest edition as a blog and sign up for our newsletter at: decult.net/newsletter/2... 🧡

The final newsletter of the year just went out. In this edition:

Gloriavale sentencing
Dear Children campaign
2025 recap & new networks
JW Auckland protest & comedy
Latest books & merch
Work with us: Fundraiser needed

Decult (verb): the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.

Decult your wardrobe, decult your Christmas: store.decult.net

Your purchase helps us decult Aotearoa, New Zealand. Head to the store and get your own classy, cultic gifts today!

I'm producing this show if anyone has relevant expertise, contacts, or material and wants to get involved! #cult #NZ #exvangelical #comedy

Human rights and mental health violations “We’re looking at human rights and mental health violations” - Anke speaking at the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria into cults.

"Human Rights & Mental Health Violations"
Decult New Zealand @decult.bsky.social
28 Nov 2025 [0:00:54]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/f2jq3EaFbECnQagPpEhILA

Culty comedians wanted Feeling the end-of-year rush already? Before the silly season takes over, take a moment for our latest updates and highlights:

decult.net/newsletter/c...

Hit the link in the comments subscribe & read more. 💛

🎤 Comedians Wanted: Jonas Skogstroll is bringing cult-themed comedy to NZ and protesting the 2025 JW Convention. Got material or venue leads? hello@markd.nz

🛍️New Merch: Tees, hoodies, totes — with 40% supporting our volunteer-run charity.

📣Decult 2026: Speaker proposals now open!

Our new newsletter just dropped 👇

Victoria Inquiry:
Decult was heard in what’s been called “a world first,” alongside global experts.
Gloriavale & Remembrance Day: Survivors rallied in Timaru and West Auckland, real change is being led by them, not the government.

If you have stand-up comedy experience and culty material that could be a good fit – or can help with finding venues – then please get in touch with them ASAP: hello@markd.nz

We are super excited about their collaboration and are helping to get this show on the road.

Additionally, the Norwegian goat farmer is planning stand-up shows in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch with NZ comedians while he’s here, supported by Christchurch performer, Decult trustee and exvangelical Mark Darbyshire (“Ironing Man”).

He plans to protest outside the International JW Convention in Auckland on 9–10 January. Mark your calendars!

COMEDIANS WANTED for NZ tour & JW protest!

The Doomsday Comedy shows in London earlier this year were a hit.

Now the brains behind them, former Jehovah’s Witness Plåt Jonas, is coming to the Land of the Long White Cloud (or the Long-Lasting Cults).

40% of every sale supports our volunteer-run charity. These proceeds will help us put on the Decult 2026 conference, connecting cult informed professionals and survivors across Aotearoa.

Head to store.decult.net or the link in our bio and Decult your Christmas now.