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Did you know that 50,000+ people in Aotearoa New Zealand are or once were in a cult? Your neighbour, your colleague, your friend. Many suffer in silence because the stigma is huge or leaving can be hard.
This is why Decult exists: to create support networks and give cult survivors a voice. Decult 2026 is New Zealand's groundbreaking and award-winning cult-awareness conference, live-streamed worldwide and sold out last time. Watch “Decult Voices - Beyond Belief” on YouTube to understand the big impact of our inaugural event, and don’t miss our highlight, the Cult Survivor Story Jam.
At the Decult 2026 conference, learn about:
- Cult dynamics, recruitment and recovery
- Religious Trauma, coercive control and CPTSD
- Legal initiatives and human rights campaigns
- Lived experiences from Gloriavale, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Falun Gong, Destiny Church, Mormons (LDS), Exclusive Brethren (PBCC), The Truth (2x2s) and many other groups.
Decult 2026 is for you if you are:
- A survivor or former member of a high-control group
- A worried family member or friend -A mental health or medical professional, nurse, counsellor, educator, first responder, lawyer, police or social worker - you can network with peers and get tools to help your clients or patients.
- Simply curious - come and cult-proof your life!
Decult 2026 is a unique opportunity for connection, cult education and creating change. It will be held in a safe space where everyone is welcome regardless of background, faith or belief.
Here's what you can expect at Decult 2026:
- 50+ speakers and 30+ sessions in total, all recorded to watch later - with keynotes from US cult experts Rachel Bernstein (https://www.facebook.com/rachelbernsteintherapy) and Dr Christine Marie (https://www.facebook.com/christinemariePhD). Here's the extended speaker list - https://decult.net/conference-2026/speakers/
- An additional programme on Zoom each day for America and Europe - "around the clock & around the world"
- Lunchtime meet-ups, information booths & book signings
- Fully catered (lunch & morning/afternoon tea)
- Mental health support, calm zones, a media room and security on site
- Panels, plenary sessions and the much-loved Survivor Story Jam are live-streamed
*The full programme lands in September. We can't wait to share it.*
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*Saturday Night Conference Dinner* — a 3-course buffet on the 24th of October with special guests & entertainment at the Victoria Free House, Christchurch. Limited spaces — book through the ticket link. https://www.thevictoriafreehouse.co.nz/
Staying over? Delegates and attendees get 15% off rooms at the Carnmore Hotel, a 5-minute walk from the venue - use code DECULT26 at check-out. https://carnmore.co.nz/carnmore-hotel-christchurch
More info, plus highlights from Decult 2024: www.decult.net
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*COMPANION EVENTS from the Olive Leaf Network:*
Christchurch — Survivor Support Day. A free, catered gathering for Decult 2026 attendees who've left high-control groups, on Monday 26 October (Labour Day), the day after the conference - https://events.humanitix.com/survivor-support-day-post-decult-meet-up
Wellington — Cult awareness & recovery evening with US expert and Decult keynote speaker Rachel Bernstein on Wednesday 28 October, with a screening of the Decult Voices documentary- https://events.humanitix.com/cult-awareness-and-recovery-evening-with-rachel-bernstein-wellington
Auckland — Professional development in cult recovery therapy with Rachel Bernstein: a full-day workshop on Friday 30 October and a half-day on Saturday 31 October, for mental health professionals, healthcare providers, educators, social workers, community workers, clergy, family members and anyone supporting survivors - https://events.humanitix.com/saturday-supporting-recovery-from-high-control-groups-advanced-insights-for-professionals-and-families-half-day-event
All OLN events: https://nz.oliveleaf.network/events
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Event venue
Christchurch Town Hall, Kilmore St No 90 Building Substation, Kilmore St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand, Christchurch
Tickets
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