Alarm over a group that's been set up in Dunedin which is being called a cult that aggressively targets students.

A volunteer group, Save the Earth from A to Z, has the same members, and may be a rebranding exercise, of the controversial South Korean-based Elohim Bible Academy.

Massey University religion professor, Peter Lineham says it's been active in Auckland in the last few years, and around the world.

He told Mike Hosking the disturbing sect pushes people strongly to join.

"In essence, it's a closed sect that tries to hook people in, has absolute boundaries so it's almost impossible to leave, and takes over a person's life almost entirely."

Save the Earth from A to Z denies this, and says it's all a misunderstanding.

LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER LINEHAM SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING