By Juliet Speedy

[Video link available]

A senior female member of Gloriavale said life in the sect is much like Māori culture so she can’t understand why her community is constantly attacked when life on a marae is accepted.

It was Gloriavale’s turn to fight back in court on Friday with the defence opening its case and women in the religious sect telling the court the community is a place of harmony where they happily work and give all their wages back, and also happily accept being led by the men because God leads the men.

The granddaughter of the late Gloriavale leader Hopeful Christian, Rachel Stedfast is one of a few senior women in the community and acting school principal there. She rejects the claims women are brainwashed.

“It is made out that everyone living at Gloriavale has suffered immense trauma and hurt but this is not true,” Stedfast said.

She also rejects her life is being controlled by the leaders

“They don’t control when I have a drink, or what underwear I wear,” she said.

When it came to getting married, the 39-year-old said she was able to tell them who she wasn’t keen on.

Further reading and video line: Gloriavale member rejects claims women are forced to work, says life in community is like Māori culture