Gloriavale: The daily life, the dark side and uncertain future explained
By Amy Wright – 20/03/2021 EXPLAINER: A closed religious group has been thriving since the 1960s, despite many controversies and the death of its founder. As unhappy members leave, and scrutiny from the outside world intensifies, Amy Wright takes a closer look at Gloriavale. Virginia Courage had a wonderful childhood. She rode horses, swam in […]
Gloriavale trust’s assets and profits up on last year
By Joanne Naish, Stuff – 03/03/2021 Gloriavale has reported a profit of almost $2.8 million and assets of $41m in its annual return to Charities Services. Gloriavale is a religious community based at Lake Haupiri on the West Coast. It has come under fire in recent years from former members who have made allegations of […]
Connie’s story: Gloriavale leaver who reported father to police opens home to him
By Alana Eriksen, NZ Herald – 20/02/2021 [NZ Herald Premium – pay to view content] She escaped from Gloriavale and told police of the years of physical abuse she and her younger sister endured at the hands of their father. But when it was his time to get out, she…. Link to NZ Herald Premium […]
Gloriavale mum of 13 Sharon Ready makes new life as teacher in Greymouth after 50 years
By Alanah Eriksen, NZ Herald – 20/02/2021 After 50 years inside Gloriavale, one of the community’s longest-serving members has her first job on the outside and is attempting to remove the leadership while still living within the compound. At age 64, mother of 13 Sharon Ready has challenged the norm and defied the leaders by […]
Trio charged as investigation into alleged child abuse at Gloriavale continues
By Joanne Naish 12/02/2021 Two men and one boy have been charged as a result of an ongoing police investigation into child abuse at the Gloriavale Christian Community. A police inquiry into allegations of abuse at the West Coast community has been under way since July. Police, supported by Oranga Tamariki staff, were at Gloriavale […]
Lawyer says legal proceedings seek to change culture that ‘breeds sexual predators’ at Gloriavale
A lawyer representing a former Gloriavale member in a civil case against the West Coast Christian community has said the proceedings are aimed at changing a culture where people are subjected to “slave labour” and sexual predators and victims are bred. Brian Henry made the comments during a procedural hearing made in judge’s chambers in […]
Former Gloriavale member launches civil court action against leadership trust
A former Gloriavale member who has launched a potentially landmark legal case to try and remove the leadership of the West Coast religious commune has got his first day in court today. Ex-member John Ready, who was banished from Gloriavale more than three years ago and who still has family members inside the community, has […]
‘It could have killed me’: Gloriavale leaver struck by tree branch is struggling to support large family
By Joanne Holden – 02/02/2021 [Video from RNZ can be viewed in article link] A former Gloriavale man working to support his pregnant wife and 12 children after the family was pushed out of the isolated community about four months ago, suffered a setback when a tree branch crushed his leg. Zion Pilgrim, who lives […]