"Moon man" Ken Ring has gone into hiding after receiving death threats and says he is no longer predicting earthquakes for fears he will be prosecuted.
Following Christchurch's deadly February quake, the astrological weather forecaster predicted another major quake was going to strike the city on March 20, sparking many people to flee.
His appearance on TV3's Campbell Live in late February had sparked multiple death threats on his life that "included the word kill and named my address", he told the Wairarapa Times-Age from a secret location this week.
He had reported four of the threats to police and had quit his Auckland home amid fears for himself and his family.
Mr Ring said he also feared he would be prosecuted for inciting a riot following his quake prediction.
"I've been virtually told by [ACC minister] Dr Nick Smith and Sir Peter Gluckman [the prime minister's scientific advisor] that I'm not qualified to put statements out about earthquakes. They will have me legally if I do that.
"Until they reverse that, I'm completely bound to silence. I don't want to go to jail.
"They said it was like calling out fire in a crowded theatre and that's against the law - it's called the riot act, and inciting riot."
Mr Ring said he has shunned all interview requests since filming the TV3 show and had sought medical help for stress following the death threats and heightened media attention.
He has had to cancel live engagements in Christchurch.
He said he would continue making astrological weather forecasts for New Zealand, but not earthquakes.
NZPA