Today we’re launching a special campaign: Throughout June, we’re building the #DecultScholarshipFund so that as many cult survivors as possible can attend the upcoming Decult 2026 conference in October. We want to release up to 30 free tickets for those who’ve left harmful groups and are experiencing financial hardship.
Our goal is to raise NZ$10,000 this month. Can you help us make this happen?
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand are currently affected by coercive religious, spiritual or self-help groups. Most never “joined” – they were born or raised in high-control environments that stripped them of identity, education, health and financial independence. Leaving these groups often means rebuilding life from scratch while navigating trauma, legal battles, family estrangement and the grief of losing entire support networks. It’s a long and lonely journey that comes with real financial hardship. Many survivors leave with little or nothing.
BENEFITTING FROM SAFE SPACES
We don’t want money to become a barrier for people who could benefit enormously from a weekend of connection, learning and healing alongside experts, advocates and fellow survivors.
Decult 2024, New Zealand’s first cult awareness conference, proved just how powerful that experience can be. Attendees described it as groundbreaking and even life changing. Since then, our crowdfunded short documentary DECULT VOICES – Beyond Belief, the 2025 Champion of Change Advocate Award and the ongoing feedback we receive have reinforced how important safe spaces for education and community are.
WHAT WE’RE ASKING FOR THIS MONTH
We are now in our third year of running Decult as volunteers and without public funding. Despite rising production costs, we are committed to keeping Decult 2026 – Voices of Courage: Pathways to Healing and Justice – accessible. We want as many survivors as possible to be part of this event.
If we raise NZ$10,000 during June, we’ll be able to provide up to 30 free tickets for cult leavers facing financial hardship. Any additional funds beyond this goal will help improve our event technology, venue security, speakers’ travels and the ongoing sustainability of Decult as a charitable organisation. Every donation, large or small, is tax deductible.
THANK YOU TO OUR MATCH FUNDERS!
We’re deeply grateful to our first supporters who’ve shown their support before the fund has even launched.
Christchurch Lawyer Kirsten Maclean of Maclean Legal and the Olive Leaf Network New Zealand have together pledged NZ$3,000 in match funding. So every dollar you donate will be doubled up to $3,000. That means if we raise $3,000 from our community this June, we unlock $6,000 total for the #DecultScholarshipFund, which is already 60% of our goal.
If you or your organisation would like to become a match funder for the Decult Scholarship Fund too or even an official sponsor of Decult 2026, we’d love to hear from you. You can find out more on our partnership page or contact us.
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONIAL WITH US
Before you go: If you attended Decult 2024, we would love your feedback on your experience too. We may use your testimonial as a social media post during
the fundraising campaign or in the lead-up to the 2026 conference to improve our knowledge base and advocacy. Click this link to add your voice!
Please share this newsletter with others and spread the word on socials with this link and #DecultScholarshipFund to build a stronger, safer and more connected community.
Thank you and arohanui,
Anke Richter & Dennis Parker
(Decult Director & Chair of the Decult Trust)