Woman’s Day – First date bombshell: ‘My online soulmate grew up in Gloriavale’

February 13, 2020: By Chloe Willetts – Woman’s Day – 13/02/2020 ”When I met Joe I wanted to be upfront from day dot because you either accept it or you don’t,” explains Tendy, who was born in the West Coast religious community. Joe Evans was new to online dating when he walked into…

Lilia Te Aroha Māia Tarawa – A Daughter of Aotearoa

February 1, 2020: By Isaac McCarthy – February-March 2020 She began her life entrapped at the heart of the Gloriavale community, persevering through an existence of subservience, control and judgement. Since then, Lilia Te Aroha Māia Tarawa has led herself on a transformative journey of self-exploration to emerge as an assured and powerful…

Dozens of Gloriavale escapees have made South Canterbury their home. Why?

January 30, 2020: By: Joanne Holden and Rachael Comer – 30/01/2020 Video can be viewed in article link. Families fleeing Gloriavale have been making their way to South Canterbury for the past seven years. Many stay. What is it about the rural community on the South Island’s east coast that has attracted the…

Gloriavale sex attack victim’s dad: Cult leaders blamed my girl

December 21, 2019: Anke Richter – 21/12/2019 WARNING: Disturbing content Name suppression for convicted Gloriavale teacher Just Standfast who indecently assaulted a 9-year-old pupil was lifted this week. Anke Richter spoke to the victim’s father who believes she was groomed, and claims his wife and daughter were blamed for the sexual abuse. Read…

Gloriavale’s shame: Second senior member convicted of child sex offending, loses suppression bid

December 19, 2019: By: Kurt Bayer – 19/12/2019 A Gloriavale teacher who sexually assaulted a schoolgirl seven years ago can finally be named today after a long legal battle. Just Standfast, 68, touched and forcibly kissed a 9-year-old girl in 2012. The girl was scared and when she tried to run away, she…