Whilst listening to Lindsay this morning on Radio Pacific, some callers referred to the Auckland City Council as funding seances.
A quick search of Goggle did confirm this allegation.

“A spiritual medium group was allocated a $2500 council grant to seek NZQA accreditation for their seance courses, and another $2000 was given to help fund two tarot card reading events.”
link to source

This led me to think, what type of courses are within the NZQA Framework. Undoubtedly the government provides student loans for these courses.

Naturally people do have the right to practise whatever they desire, but to receive national recognition and funding for such quackery, has to be totally unacceptable.

Here are a few examples of where the money stolen from us is being redirected. I couldn’t resist adding a few comments/explanations of the mysticism’s we are funding.

link to source
Developing Christian Spirituality
Example:
6039 2 Credits Describe personal prayer, its purpose, and variety of forms within a faith community
6043 4 Credits Discuss an understanding of God's calling, to a range of vocations, ministries, and specific tasks
8515 3 Credits Discuss a theology of hardship, suffering and blessing in Christian faith and life

Christian Worship & Preaching
Example:
11034 4 Credits Choreograph, plan, and use dance as a medium of expression in Christian worship
11041 5 Credits Preach Christian sermons, with supervision
11045 6 Credits Prepare, preach, and evaluate Christian sermons suited to various occasions and congregations

Developing Christian Spirituality
8539 2 Credits Evaluate from a Christian theological perspective a personal experience of seeking God's direction

link to source
14822 25 Credits Use an advanced range of essential oils and carrier oils for aromatherapy in the clinical setting
14824 40 Credits Conduct aromatherapy research

“According to the consensus position of medical professionals in the U.S.A. and England there is insufficient scientific proof of the effectiveness of aromatherapy beyond lowering stress and related effects.”
link to source

Hellerwork
Not found in Wiki
link to source
Hellerwork is a series of one-hour sessions of deep tissue bodywork and movement education designed to realign the body and release chronic tension and stress. Verbal dialogue is used to assist the client in becoming aware of emotional stress that may be related to physical tension
14819 40 Credits Apply Hellerwork dialogue techniques to meet individual client needs

Homeobotanical Therapy
(Its not found in Wiki)
link to source
Homoeobotanical remedies are powerful, synergistic blends of organic herbs in liquid form. They are potentised homeopathically and specifically chosen to target the Organs and Systems on the body. Each blend is created specifically for the individual presenting to the therapist. It is a simple, safe and very effective means of alternative medicine.
14830 15 Credits Use homeobotanical potions in clinical practice
14831 5 Credits Use homeobotanical repertory and materia medica in clinical practice

Homoeopathy
14766 20 Credits Use homoeopathy to treat simple acute conditions
14765 15 Credits Employ homoeopathic pharmacy in homoeopathic clinical practice

Homeopathy is inconsistent with known laws of chemistry and physics, since its theory states that extreme dilution makes drugs more powerful by enhancing their "spirit-like medicinal powers.
link to source

Homeopathy is marketed as a safe, natural and holistic treatment for a range of ailments and illnesses, including arthritis, asthma, depression, eczema, diarrhoea, hayfever, headaches, insomnia and toothache. Homeopathic products and services have become a large industry.

Despite this, it has not been embraced by medical science. The scientific evidence shows that homeopathy acts only as a placebo and there is no scientific explanation of how it could work any other way.
link to source

Hypnotherapy
14771 6 Credits Conduct hypnotic regression for hypnotherapeutic practice
14767 60 Credits Provide client care in hypnotherapeutic clinical practice

“Whilst being in hypnosis has no specific therapeutic benefit, apart from the concomitant relaxation, a hypnotized subject displays certain unusual characteristics and propensities, compared with a non-hypnotized subject: for example, suggestions given to hypnotized subjects are far more effective.”
link to source

Kinesiology
14856 16 Credits Use kinesiology techniques to enhance performance and reduce learning disabilities and dyslexia’s
14859 30 Credits Use kinesiology techniques to defuse energy blockages related to spiritual and emotional issues
14853 4 Credits Use kinesiology techniques to correct energy imbalance in viscera, and lymph and blood vessels

“An Aura-Soma consultation involves self selection of 4 or more aura-soma bottles. In a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere Lez will help you interpret the meaning behind the colours that you have chosen, enabling you to see with more clarity where your strengths, weaknesses and true potential lie. It is recommended that you commit to three consultations, each one taking place following the use of your chosen equilibrium bottle which is generally between 4 & 8 weeks”
link to source

Reflexology
14809 55 Credits Apply foot joint mobilisation and foot manipulation within reflexology practice
14813 13 Credits Interpret radiographs within reflexology clinical practice
14812 5 Credits Apply reflexology psycho-physiological principles in a reflexology clinical setting
14814 26 Credits Critique and conduct reflexology or foot manipulation research within reflexology clinical practice

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of stimulating points on the feet and hands, in the belief it will have a beneficial effect on some other parts of the body, or will improve general health.

Scientists and medical professionals consider reflexology to be a pseudoscience[1] , offering no more benefits than ordinary massage.
link to source

I find the support of these courses disturbing, especially after reading an article in the Telegraph yesterday when Stephen Hawking was quoted “Mankind will need to venture far beyond planet Earth to ensure the long-term survival of our species.”
link to source

Every man is free to rise as far as he's able or willing, but the degree to which he thinks determines the degree to which he'll rise.
- Ayn Rand