Audio Archives – Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust

Gloriavale Christian Community

May 3, 2026: | Hidden Cults Ep. 52 | Nik Hunter | Gloriavale is a remote Christian community in New Zealand, built on strict belief, total commitment, and a system that controls daily life from work to family structure. Founded by Neville Cooper, it grew into a self-contained society where obedience, isolation, and…

Articles, Audio

Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale with Theophila Pratt

March 5, 2026: | IndoctriNation | In this episode, Rachel interviews Theophila Pratt, a Gloriavale survivor now based in Auckland, New Zealand, nearly 10 years out and working as an occupational therapist with youth. Born into Gloriavale as “Honey Faithful,” Theo describes a highly controlled life of constant surveillance, strict dress rules, relentless…

Articles, Audio

The Gloriavale Cult: Hell Disguised as Heaven

February 10, 2026: | Timesuck Podcast | In this episode of Timesuck, we’re heading to New Zealand to explore Gloriavale – a so-called “Heaven on Earth” founded by charismatic preacher Neville Cooper, where obedience to God somehow turned into obedience to one very, VERY creepy man. What began as a utopian Christian commune…

Articles, Audio, Education

Gloriavale school to remain open for now

January 26, 2026: | Newstalk ZB | Ryan Bridge | Yet another push for the Government to intervene and shut Gloriavale’s school down for good. The school’s licence was due to expire on Friday, but the Ministry of Education agreed to keep it open after the School Board applied to the High Court…

Articles, Audio, Education

Former Gloriavale teacher applauds ‘courageous’ move to cancel school’s registration

December 19, 2025: | RNZ | Krystal Gibbens | A former teacher at Gloriavale School has applauded the Education Ministry for effectively closing the school, but says it has been a frustratingly slow process. The Secretary for Education has cancelled the school’s registration, effective from 23 January. Ellen MacGregor-Reid wrote to the West Coast…

Articles, Audio, Education

Ministry cancels Gloriavale school’s licence – what’s next?

December 19, 2025: | NewstalkZB | Ryan Bridge | Liz Gordon: Education researcher on the cancellation of Gloriavale school’s licence It’s thought the closure of Gloriavale school is more complicated than just finding a new school. The Secretary for Education has cancelled the Christian sect school’s licence, forcing it closed from January.…

Articles, Audio, Education

“Positive step forward”: Gloriavale’s school has registration cancelled, forced to shut down

December 19, 2025: | NewstalkZB | A push for the Government to use its powers to begin dismantling Gloriavale. The Secretary for Education has cancelled the Christian sect school’s licence, forcing it closed from January. The call comes just a week after former leader Howard Temple was sentenced to more than two…

Articles, Audio, Education

Gloriavale leaders to challenge school closure

December 19, 2025: | RNZ | Morning Report | Gloriavale’s leaders have announced they’ll challenge the forced closure of its school. Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers Supporter Trust spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.…

Articles, Audio, Education

Lawyer raises questions over Gloriavale private school after shutdown

December 18, 2025: | NewstalkZB|Brian Henry| Gloriavale’s private school has been ordered to close its doors, leaving a lawyer wondering how it ever managed to exist. The Education Review Office highlighted ongoing safety concerns in July, and the Ministry put the school on notice in October. The Ministry’s confirmed it’s cancelling the school’s…

Articles, Audio, Education

Gloriavale’s school to be shut down

December 18, 2025: | RNZ | Checkpoint | The school in the secretive west coast christian community, Gloriavale, is effectively being closed down.The Secretary for Education anounced she is cancelling Gloriavale Christian School’s registration effective from the 23 of January. Lawyer Brian Henry, who has represented Gloriavale leavers and called for the school…

Gloriavale Christian Community

Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale with Theophila Pratt

The Gloriavale Cult: Hell Disguised as Heaven

Gloriavale school to remain open for now

Former Gloriavale teacher applauds ‘courageous’ move to cancel school’s registration

Ministry cancels Gloriavale school’s licence – what’s next?

“Positive step forward”: Gloriavale’s school has registration cancelled, forced to shut down

Gloriavale leaders to challenge school closure

Lawyer raises questions over Gloriavale private school after shutdown

Gloriavale’s school to be shut down

Contact Us

Friends of the Trust

Recent Posts

‘Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal’ Trailer: New Doc Delves Into Real-Life ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Inspiration Cult

Growing up Māori in Gloriavale: loving and leaving the only community you know