Stuff: Authority, abuse allegations and getting out: What we learned about Gloriavale over the past few weeks

September 30, 2022: By Marine Lourens and Joanne Naish15:05, Sep 30 2022 Five weeks of evidence in the Employment Court regarding life at Gloriavale has pulled back the veil on life at the isolated West Coast community. Some paint a picture of a cult-like society where members are indoctrinated to submit to the…

RNZ: Gloriavale leader’s granddaughter denies claims of inappropriate behaviour

September 29, 2022: By Jean Edwards | RNZ | Gloriavale’s Overseeing Shepherd Howard Temple is respectful of girls and does not have a reputation for inappropriate behaviour, his granddaughter says. Joanna Courage, 23, has told the Employment Court she feels safe at the West Coast Christian commune and does not get preferential treatment…

Gloriavale women ‘not downtrodden and subjugated’, member says

September 27, 2022: by Jean Edwards | RNZ | Gloriavale’s leaders did not know about sexual abuse at the Christian community, which has become an “entertainment show” for the country’s media, a member says. Mother-of-13 Purity Valor has told an Employment Court hearing Gloriavale was constantly being slandered, leaving members a target for…

Newshub: Gloriavale member rejects claims women are forced to work, says life in community is like Māori culture

September 23, 2022: 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…

Stuff: Baby in the witness box as Gloriavale mum tells ‘other side of the story’

September 23, 2022: By Marine Lourens | Stuff | A baby has made a rare appearance in a court witness box as a Gloriavale member hit back at those saying women in the religious community have little choice over their lives. Rachel Stedfast, who is the acting Gloriavale school principal and has nine children, testified…

RNZ: Gloriavale employment court case: Father feared for his daughters’ safety in community

September 23, 2022: By Niva Chittock | RNZ | A former member of the Gloriavale Christian community has told a court his daughter suffered third-degree burns after having a seizure at work in the kitchen. Six women, including the man’s sister, are arguing in the Employment Court in Christchurch that they were employees,…