Disgraced former Gloriavale leader Howard Temple to be sentenced for sex offences today

December 12, 2025: | NZ Herald | Anna Leask | The disgraced former leader of the infamous Christian community, Gloriavale, will be sentenced today (Friday) on a raft of sex offences against girls and women over a period of more than 20 years. Howard Temple, 85, pleaded guilty to 12 charges earlier this…

Luxon ‘very concerned’ by Gloriavale leader’s sexual abuse admission

August 3, 2025: | 1News | Ryan Boswell | Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is “very concerned” about the admission of abuse from Gloriavale’s leader but would not be drawn on potential Government oversight of the West Coast commune. Howard Temple, 85, earlier denied 24 charges, including several of sexual offending against…

Government must ‘wake up’ on Gloriavale, leaver says after leader Howard Temple convicted

August 1, 2025: | RNZ | Keiller MacDuff | The government needs to “wake up” and act to protect people at Gloriavale who were being indoctrinated and “broken”, a former member has said. On Wednesday, Gloriavale’s “Overseeing Shepherd” Howard Temple entered the dock at Greymouth District Court and pleaded guilty to an amended set of…

Ex-Gloriavale member claims guilty plea won’t change community

July 31, 2025: | RNZ | Star News | The late guilty plea by Gloriavale’s overseeing shepherd to indecent assault charges shows the strength of the testimony of witnesses, a former member says. Howard Temple admitted 12 charges in court, including five of indecent assault, three days into his trial in Greymouth on Wednesday,…

Leader of secretive Christian commune admits abusing young members

July 31, 2025: | Premier Christian News | Mitti Hicks | The leader of an isolated and conservative New Zealand commune has pleaded guilty to half of the 24 indecent assault charges he faced against nine female complainants.   Howard Temple, 85, is accused of abusing members of the Gloriavale commune between the…

Concern Howard Temple will remain Gloriavale leader, despite guilty pleas

July 31, 2025: | 1News | Ryan Boswell | There’s concern that Howard Temple will stay on as Gloriavale’s leader, despite admitting to abuse against girls and young women. On Wednesday, the 85-year-old grandfather pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, five of doing an indecent act, and two of common assault.…

Gloriavale leader Howard Temple pleads guilty to indecency charges

July 30, 2025: | RNZ | Keiller MacDuff | This story has been amended to correct the charges. Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has pleaded guilty to a dozen charges including five of indecent assault on day three of his trial in Greymouth. The West Coast Christian community’s Overseeing Shepherd had earlier denied 24…

The leader of a secretive New Zealand commune admits abusing young church members

July 30, 2025: | Associated Press | Charlotte Graham-McLay | WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The leader of an isolated and conservative Christian commune in New Zealand pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a dozen indecency and assault charges against women and girls who were members of the religious group. The admission of guilt from Howard Temple came…