Anke Richter will be leading our September Spirited Conversation on cults in the Wānanga Room at Aldersgate at 6:00pm on Wednesday 11 September. Anke is the organiser of the first Cult Conference in Australasia, bringing together cult survivors, academic experts, advocates and activists live streamed and in person in Ōtautahi Christchurch on 19-20 October. Spiritual, religious or self-help groups that exploit vulnerable communities are active in Aotearoa New Zealand but often hard to identify. The Olive Leaf Network and Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust estimate that tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been impacted by them.

Since the Covid pandemic, the reach of cultic online movements has increased. No-one is immune. Originally from Germany, Anke is an international journalist and author, now based in Lyttleton. who in recent years has been researching more and more cults (including Centrepoint and Gloriavale), which has resulted in her latest book, Cult Trip. She is also member and co-founder of FACT Aotearoa (Fight Against Conspiracy Theories). As usual for those who like kai with their korero, some of us will be walking to a nearby Thai restaurant for dinner together and a chance to continue the conversation, after the session.