Podcasts about gloriavale

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 to be shut down, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Finance minister Nicola Willis has ended the year on a high with a surprise 1.1% increase in GDP for the most recent quarter; Gloriavale's leaders have announced they'll challenge the forced closure of its school; Auckland Council is securing more burial and cremation spaces as the city's cemeteries begin to run out of capacity; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh; One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and former All Black captain Taine Randell discuss this weekend's sport action.

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.

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 years in prison for sex offending. Leavers' Trust Founder Liz Gregory told Heather du Plessis-Allan she's now urging the Government to go further, starting with de-registering the community's charity. She expects that to be the next step and anticipates it could be shut down before Christmas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 registration. Gloriavale leavers' lawyer, Brian Henry, says he doesn't understand how the school stayed open until now, but he's crediting officials for shutting it down. "This school is the enabler of basically enslaving young children born in the community. It keeps them ignorant." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, CTU chief economist Craig Renney and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New data shows GDP has bounced up 1.1 percent in Q3. Is this a sign things are going to get better? The Ministry of Education is shutting down Gloriavale's school amid safety concerns. But with six weeks to go until the new school year - where does this leave the kids? Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie has resigned effective immediately. Do we think this could have been handled better? Does Netball NZ's board need to go as well? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 18 December 2025, we're finally seeing those much talked about green shoots in the economy. Brad Olsen speaks to Ryan Bridge as GDP grew 1.1% in the third quarter of the year. The Education Ministry is shutting down Gloriavale's school. Gloriavale leavers lawyer Brian Henry says it's the right thing to do - but where are the more than 100 Gloriavale kids going to learn come January? Netball NZ's boss Jennie Wyllie has called it quits - former Silver Fern Marg Foster says this should just be the start of a leadership overhaul. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the economy has finally hit turned around and whether Netball's board should take more accountability. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Friday the 19th of December 2025, The economy's rebounded into 1.1% growth in the September quarter, ahead of forecasts Independent Economist Cameron Bagrie shares his thoughts. Schools are dealing with more fights and assaults than ever before, PPTA President Chris Abercrombie tells Francesca why the problem has got worse. Gloriavale's school will shut down from January next year, educational researcher and community activist Liz Gordon tells Francesca what will happen from here. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Zelensky urging European Union leaders to loan billions of euros in frozen Russian money to fund Ukraine and Teachers in England will be given training to spot and tackle misogyny in the classroom. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. It's been on notice for several weeks after failing another audit and being ruled physically and mentally unsafe for students. Education researcher Liz Gordon told Francesca Rudkin says it's not as straightforward as moving the students elsewhere. She wants the ministry to take a group of professional teachers into the community, to allow the kids to be taught there. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s guest is Theo Pratt, survivor of Gloriavale, an isolated Christian cult hidden deep in rural New Zealand, and author of Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale. She’ll talk about being raised on the strictly controlled commune where people were assigned new names, women wore identical dresses and head coverings, and children weren’t taught the real days of the week—or even where they were in the world.Theo shares about the leader Neville Cooper’s self-proclaimed divine authority, how “smacking ladies” kept the kids in line—and guards kept the compound controlled, and her rebellious streak that led her to planning an escape attempt on a tandem bicycle. And of course, the moment she realized she couldn’t stay, and what it felt like to step into the outside world she’d been taught would destroy her. SOURCES: Unveiled: A Story of Surviving GloriavaleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The disgraced former leader of Gloriavale is appealing his imprisonment for abusing girls and young women at the community. 85-year-old Howard Temple was this afternoon jailed for more than two years for sexually assaulting six girls and young women at the West Coast Christian community over 20 years up to 2022. However, his lawyer Michael Vesty has confirmed Temple is appealing his sentence and Temple has been granted bail while awaiting the appeal. Timothy Brown reports.

Former Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has been sentenced to 26 months in jail for sexual offending. He had indecently assaulted young women and girls over a 20 year period at Gloriavale as recently as 2022. It comes as newly released documents show just how explicitly the government has been warned by its agencies that Gloriavale is not a safe place for women and girls. The lawyer who previously represented Gloriavale leavers Dennis Gates told Ryan Bridge that, "What you basically have here is institutionalised domestic violence on a macro scale." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Tim Batt and Aimie Hines. First up, rates caps are here. From 2027, councils won't be able to increase rates by more than 4 percent per year. The Westland region has had the highest rates rises in the country over the last three years. Its Mayor, Helen Lash, joins the programme. Then, the public inquiry into how Tom Phillips children were supported by authorities has raised questions over who deserves an investigation. Some lawyers, including Canterbury University lecturer Rachel Evans, say children living at Gloriavale are being overlooked.

A Gloriavale leaver is recalling the confronting impact of child discipline practices used in the sect. Police have issued two formal warnings to the community after investigating allegations parents would cover the noses and mouths of crying children. A Herald investigation has revealed officers conducted more than 100 interviews. Virginia Courage says in one instance, a little boy was brought to her unconscious. "He wasn't breathing, and his father just threw him at me. I don't even know if he said anything, I just went into get-this-kid-breathing mode." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 16 October 2025, senior political correspondent Barry Soper and former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson share their memories of the late Jim Bolger. Police and Oranga Tamariki have been secretly investigating Gloriavale for serious allegations of mistreatment of children. Gloriavale leaver Virginia Courage tells Heather what she witnessed while living in the community. Broadcaster Sean Plunket speaks to Heather after the Broadcasting Standards Authority defended its decision to go after online content. The Health Minister has accused senior doctors for crossing a moral line with their ongoing strikes. Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should be worried about our new Chinese built Interislander ferries because the shipyard has been linked to the Chinese military. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New details have emerged about what could be happening behind closed doors at Gloriavale. Authorities have been quietly been involved in yet another investigation there – with the Children’s Minister and Oranga Tamariki both involved. This time, a “mass allegation investigation” relates to concerns that parents were taught to cover the mouths of children and babies to stop them from crying. NZ Herald senior investigative reporter, Michael Morrah, has been digging into this, and he joins us today on The Front Page. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A private school in the secretive Gloriavale christian sect could have it's registration yanked because of serious concerns about whether it is providing a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. The Secretary of Education has written to the school, giving it five weeks to respond. Lawyer representing Gloriavale leavers, Brian Henry spoke to Lisa Owen.

Following their conversation with Dr Steve Hassan in part 1, our hosts kept talking!  In this part 2 of the conversation they talk about the importance of survivor voices in research, and why historically some researchers have appeared to listen to cult leaders rather than cult survivors. They share some illuminating facts about specific cult apologists, and how a minimising narrative has affected New Zealand cult survivors and their fights for truth and justice.Show notes:Show notesChildren of God investigations (and Eileen's involvement) - get from MariaArticle: Secrets, Lies & a Mysterious Cup of Tea - Stuff - the police corruption in the Centrepoint case Articles: The Cult Apologist Mafia - Luigi Corvaglia - Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3Website - FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects)Article - Meet the Shadowy Scholars Supporting England's Doomsday Cult -  Be Schofield AROPAL & conference pageSteven Kent ArticleArticle: Dr Norris and the Gloriavale employment court case - Gloriavale Leavers Support TrustReview of Days of Rain by Mossimo ItrivgneBitter WinterGloriavale Propopganda documentaries and Escaping UtopiaBrian Wilson and the PBCCWebsite: CESNUR (Centre for Studies on New Religions) - run by Massimo Itrovigne

On today's episode of The Agenda, Matt Heath confronts Finn Caddie and ACC Head G Lane about the Eden Park corporate box situation during the Springboks Test (00:00)... WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE!Then the fellas get into the Aussies taking home the "Soccer Ashes" (09:35), and the Baseball Karen breaking the internet (13:30).Also, they discuss Gloriavale members going skiing and whether we should do a live podcast from inside their gates (19:25)...Plus, F1 Corner with Matt Heath (29:10) and the Wahs get reinforcements for the do-or-die playoff game with the Panthers (33:20)! Finally, they get to your feedback in 'Yours Please' (39:10)...GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE AGENDA & BYC LIVE PODCAST HERE! Did you know that we've launched a new Facebook Group called 'The Caravan' JOIN HERE!Brought to you by Export Ultra! Follow The ACC on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to The Agenda Podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! iHeartRadio Apple Spotify YouTube THANKS MATE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gloriavale again! We come back to talk about the other reason that the closed West Coast community is in the news again - this time because the Overseeing Shepherd - the community's leader, Howard Temple - has just been convicted of indecent assault of numerous girls and women at Gloriavale. Our hosts discuss the culture that allowed his public behaviour to become normal, the impossibility of speaking up as a victim in this community, and what lies behind the entitlement of his actions.

The Children's Commissioner is calling for the urgent closure of Gloriavale Christian School, saying she has zero confidence that students are safe. Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad spoke to Corin Dann.

Gloriavale is all over the news again, and for the wrong reasons. This week our hosts talk about the recent Education Review Office report which revealed that the Gloriavale School has failed yet again to meet the basic requirements expected to function as an education provider. Liz explains the background to this report and asks the question, at what point is there enough evidence that this school cannot provide the necessary ingredients to educate children well and safely?

Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb joined John MacDonald to give their thoughts on the biggest political stories of the week. Changes are likely coming to NCEA – are they needed? And should trades be given more support in schools? A lawyer is calling for the Government to step in and shut down Gloriavale, but should this be their responsibility? Doocey has launched a petition against a T2 lane – is this an easy hit for votes? And what is the FBI doing in Wellington? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Did Emergency Management go overboard with their alerts regarding the tsunami? Or is it better to be safe than sorry? The Chief of Navy has ordered Kiwi sailors to stop drinking irresponsibly, saying alcohol substance misuse is undermining the organisation. Do we agree with this? The leader of Gloriavale is officially a sex offender after pleading guilty to 12 charges mid-trial. Is it time to shut down Gloriavale for good? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 31 July 2025, Civil Defence Director John Price has defended emergency warnings sent out across the country - and says there continues to be a tsunami risk. Minister for Defence and Intelligence, Judith Collins, explains why the FBI is opening its own office in Wellington. Oil and gas exploration has been officially unbanned - Energy Resources Aotearoa is hopeful that this will actually lead to some exploration. Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp weighs in on a warning by the Chief of Navy to his sailors to stop the excessive boozing. Plus, the Huddle debates whether now is the time to shut down Gloriavale after its leader pleaded guilty to assault charges. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's believed the government has the ability to shut down Gloriavale. The West Coast religious commune's 85-year-old leader Howard Temple is a sex offender, having plead guilty to 12 charges, including indecent assault, mid-way through a trial. The charges relate to offending back to the 1990s. Leavers' lawyer Brian Henry told John MacDonald there are laws that allow the removal of families from harm, and the Corporations Investigation and Management Act. He claims it's now, beyond doubt, a criminal organization of sex offending and there are options to step in, take over assets, and straighten out what's going on. Henry says the Prime Minister needs to knock the heads together of every government department tasked with protecting little girls. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gloriavale leader Howard Temple has pleaded guilty to a dozen charges, including five of indecent assault, just days into his trial in Greymouth. He had earlier denied 24 charges of sexual offending involving girls and women over more than 20 years. Reporter Keiller MacDuff spoke to Lisa Owen.

Overseeing Shepherd, Howard Temple pleaded guilty to 12 charges on Wednesday, including five of indecent assault. Former Gloriavale member John Ready spoke to Corin Dann.

Three former Gloriavale members have told a court they were touched, grabbed and groped by the Overseeing Shepherd Howard Temple, on the second day of his trial in Greymouth. Mr Temple has pleaded not guilty to 24 charges of sexual assault and doing an indecent act. Keiller MacDuff was in court in Greymouth and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The trial of the leader of reclusive Christian sect Gloriavale enters its second day at Greymouth District Court on Tuesday. Reporter Keiller MacDuff spoke to Corin Dann.

Lauren and Christy deep dive the New Zealand cult Gloriavale. Christy's research reveals the founder changing the rules to serve himself, SO many cases of abuse, and a suspicious death the cult tried to hide! So grab a drink, put on some pjs, and join this duo for a true crime slumber party!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today our Cult Chat hosts share what listeners have told them are the best things about life after leaving a cult. From finding space to be who you truly are, to getting the chance to make mistakes, and to being allowed to have the full range of human emotions, this episode digs right down into the wonderful things that leavers can experience once they set out on their new post-cult lives. Be prepared to be moved to tears in this hopeful episode about what you might find on the other side.Show notesWebsite: The Religious Trauma Collective Annual Event - 19-21 June, web-based conferenceWebsite Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups - Parliament of VictoriaWebsite: DecultBook: Take Back Your Life - Janja LalichSong: What a Wonderful World - Louis ArmstrongResource: Thinking of Leaving - Olive Leaf NetworkArticle: 10 Reasons People Should Leave GloriavaleArticle: 10 Reasons People Remain at Gloriavale

It's a rough ride on Eavesdroppin' comedy podcast this week, as Geordie and Michelle look at bad cults… If you were a child with scholastic issues or behavioural problems in the early 1980s in the UK, you might have been sent to a Red House alternative education facility. The brochures told of an idyllic boarding school where children who had suffered abuse or neglect at home could thrive in an environment where sailing and horse riding were interspersed with reading, writing and arithmetic. The reality was that the Red House schools were institutions where children were regularly beaten, humiliated, sexually abused and forced into slave labour. Listen now for Geordie's deep dive into Red House schools, the Danish founding organisation Tvind and a discussion about why it was a cult hiding in plain sight... Michelle follows with a look at a harrowing New Zealand cult called Gloriavale. Tucked away on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island is a religious group that was meant to be a spiritual utopia - the men worked, the women raised kids and everyone lived by the word of god and shared the spoils of communal labour. On paper, Gloriavale sounds like a dream - but it's a cult, where men are in control and women are trained to submit, serve and stay silent. Who started this cult? How is it off the international radar? And is the cult still going now? Listen to find out.So pop on your headphones, grab a brown lemonade and join Geordie & Michelle for this week's episode, plus chit-chat about Steiner Schools, Geordie's celeb Young Ones moment, Michelle's celeb encounter with a top pop star at LAX, a guardian angel encounter from Eavesdropper Steph, plus a near miss love triangle with a Hollywood A-Lister from Eavesdropper Roxanne and more, only on Eavesdroppin' podcast. And remember, wherever you are, whatever you do, just keep Eavesdroppin'! *Disclaimer: We don't claim to have any factual info about anything ever and our opinions are just opinions not fact, sooorrrryyy! Don't sue us! Please rate, review, tell your friends and subscribe in all the usual places – we love it when you do! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eavesdroppinDo write in with your stories at hello@eavesdroppinpodcast.com or send us a Voice Note!Listen: www.eavesdroppinpodcast.com or https://podfollow.com/eavesdroppinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcuzv-EXizUo4emmt9PgfwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eavesdroppinpodcast#cults #gloriavale #redhouse #schoolcult #steiner #reallife #newzealand #eavesdroppin #eavesdroppinpodcast #eavesdroppincomedypodcast #podcast #comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gloriavale leaders have refused to deliver a personal apology to a former member for abuse at the Christian community, despite publicly offering to say sorry to victims who ask for one. Leavers say that's exposed their pledge as a PR stunt, as Jean Edwards reports.

Theophila Pratt, author of “Unveiled - A Story of Surviving Gloriavale” joins the team for our first of three episodes about leaving cults. This compelling conversation explores the immediate  challenges, discusses identity construction, and the difficulties of finding people to help along the way. Theo and our hosts explore these topics and more, with a focus on those born and raised in a cult, inviting those thinking of leaving to sit up and listen.LinksWebsite: Theo's website where you can buy her bookBook: Unfollow by Megan Phelps-RoperBook: Excommunicated by Craig HoyleWebsite: NZ Community Growth Trust therapy fund - For information about funded therapy for survivors of cults in NZEvent: Religious Trauma Collective - Annual event - to find out about the June 19-21 2025 eventEvent: Decult Fund & Film night - June 13 2025 eventResource: Olive Leaf Network - Thinking of Leaving? booklet

There's a lot going on in the cultiverse! We thought it time for an update on the culty happenings in our neck of the woods. In this episode you'll hear more than you want to know about chickens, rats, and mice, and heaps about cults. From news from the Olive Leaf Network, to Caz's connections with professionals & researchers, to Liz sharing culty tree metaphors with professionals on the West Coast. This episode has everything, including some really odd census data about Gloriavale!Show notes:Webpage: Olive Leaf Network and how to donateWebpage: International Cultic Studies Association home page and Montreal annual conference  Podcast: Cult Chat Episode 58: 2x2s and Survivor Advocacy with Tristan Phipps and Kyle EggletonPodcast: Cult Chat Episode 55, 56 and 57 - Are the Jehovah Witnesses a Cult? (Parts one and two) and Waking Up  - with Dr Andre JacksonArticle: One News coverage of Two By TwosArticle: Inquiry into cults prompted by media attention on Geelong Revival Centre in Victoria. Facebook group: Stop Religious Coercion Australia run by Ryan CareyPodcast: Secrets We Keep - Pray Harder - series about Geelong Revival CentreArticle: BBC - Japan court dissolves controversial 'Moonies' churchArticle - The Saints cult and the convictions for the manslaughter of 8 years old Elizabeth Struhs - BrisbaneReligious Trauma Collective and the on-line conferenceWebpage: Theophila Pratt - Unveiled - A Story of Surviving GloriavaleArticle: Press -  Gloriavale population falls while 100 babies born, census shows

Dream State by Eric Puchner. This book starts with the lead up to a wedding, after which the bride makes a momentous decision which then ripples through the lives of her husband, his best friend and the future generations. It's a story about the consequences of the decisions we make, and the subsequent joy, regret and pain which can linger for a lifetime and which help turn us into the people we become, for better or for worse. This is wonderful storytelling. Unveiled by Theophila Pratt. The author was born into the Gloriavale community, with the given name Honey Faithful. She was one of nine siblings and knew from the age of 14 that she wanted more from life – which eventually included being able to change her name. At the age of 18 she refused to sign the Gloriavale Declaration of Commitment and was subsequently evicted. Life in that community has been well documented in other places, but Theophila's story is a timely (and fascinating) reminder of the cult that still exists on the West Coast, and which now has an outpost in India of which her sister was a founding member. This is also the story of a courageous young woman finding her own voice. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coroner has found that a young Gloriavale man's death was the result of an accident after experimenting with blacking out. Reporter Anna Sargent spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

At 18, after a life of servitude and subserviance, Theophila Pratt was dropped at a bus stop and left to fend for herself. She tells her story of surviving Gloriavale  

What is happening at Gloriavale? Join Liz and two of the lawyers representing Gloriavale Leavers, Steve Patterson and Dennis Gates, as they give a comprehensive update on the long and arduous road to justice and holding the Gloriavale leaders to account.The chat about the highlights and lowlights of 2024, and discuss the many investigations and court cases that are ongoing. They reveal some new actions that will get underway in 2025, and talk about a legal bill ordered by the courts that they don't want to pay. They chat about the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historic Abuse in Care and the recent apology Gloriavale made. Was it genuine? And what's happening with their Charity Status, the School, India and the Police Slavery investigation?This episode is not to be missed.

Former members of the Gloriavale Christian Community are coming to terms with an apology for delivered to those who suffered "pain and suffering" at the commune. Gloriavale leaver John Ready spoke to Paddy Gower.

A Gloriavale leaver has outlined his 'livid' reaction to yesterday's apology from community leader Howard Temple. The Royal Commission of Inquiry requested an apology, after establishing a pattern of abuse. Temple thanked those who'd reported it - and accepted the Commission's Safety of Care recommendation. But former member John Ready says the apology was insincere - and shows a complete lack of understanding of the damage caused. "The timestamp - 1950 to 1999 - leaves out the majority of the abuse from 2000." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 The Court of Appeal has disposed of an injunction preventing the bank from closing accounts related to Gloriavale's various businesses and entities. Gloriavale now has three months to tidy up its affairs with BNZ. After that, members have said that without bank accounts, the continued existence of the community will be at risk. Anna Sargent reports.

Yesterday a long running court case came to an end – at least for now. BNZ has won permission to shut down Gloriavale's bank accounts. Now I actually feel quite uncomfortable about this. I'm no fan of Gloriavale – I'd like to see the place close and the people there realise how weird their situation is. So I should, on the face of it, like what BNZ is doing because it will effectively, probably, shut down Gloriavale. Because without a bank, how can Gloriavale continue? No one else will bank them – they've tried, no other bank will take them. This is why they took the court case, to try to force BNZ to keep their bank accounts open, because without it, they basically can't do business anymore. They can't do anything really, because in a modern world you can't survive without a bank account. It's how you get paid, how you pay your power bills, how you get a mortgage to buy a house, how you order things from overseas. But I still don't think this is the right thing, because of the precedent this sets. Banks can shut your account if they don't like what you're doing —doesn't have to be criminal— and there's too much of this moral policing already. Australian banks here are imposing penalties on our dairy farmers who they don't think are cutting emissions by enough. Kiwibank's pledged to stop banking coal mining businesses. BNZ won't let a couple of women running a sex toy shop open bank accounts because they sell sex toys. There is a massive debunking scandal playing out in the US where even Melania Trump reckons her account was shut down after the Jan 6th riots. And to be fair to banks, it's not as if this is new. Remember they wouldn't let women take out mortgages unless a male relative said it was okay as recently as the 1980s. I get that it's a bank's right to stop doing business with whoever it wants to, I just don't like the bank's reason. Because if it's Gloriavale today, a couple of girls selling sex toys tomorrow, who comes next? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employment Court has ordered Gloriavale's leader to pay six former members more than $274,000 in legal costs. Barrister Brian Henry spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Gloriavale leavers and their advocates have condemned what they say is 30 years of inaction by bureaucrats and politicians. Jean Edwards reports.

Gloriavale leavers and their advocates have condemned what they say is 30 years of inaction by bureaucrats and politicians. Jean Edwards reports.

Just Standfast was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the offending that took place over a 40 year period inside the secretive Christchurch community. Adam Burns was at the Greymouth District Court, and a warning some of the details in his report are distressing.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  In this episode, we're joined by international journalist Anke Richter for a conversation about her decade-long investigation into sex cults and her own brush with ISTA, a shamanic ‘school' from the US with a base in New Zealand. Anke's recently published book CULT TRIP covers her labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, and asks what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpetrator, seduction and sexual abuse. We'll also touch on NZ as a hotspot in the ever-expanding cultiverse, from Centrepoint to Gloriavale - and why Anke's spearheading DECULT 2024, the country's first cult awareness conference. For a small-ish country you have some big cult problems, NZ. Time to get thee to a cult awareness conference! SHOWNOTES: Anke Richter is an international journalist based in Christchurch and the author of the international bestseller "CULT TRIP: Inside the world of coercion and control" (HarperCollins, 2022), as well as three other books published in Germany. Prior to relocating to New Zealand in 2003 via Tokelau in the South Pacific to serve as a foreign correspondent, Anke worked as a reporter in Germany. Her investigative and personal features have been published in various renowned outlets such as Die Zeit, Spiegel, FAZ, taz, mare, New Zealand Geographic, North & South, The Spinoff, Canvas, Sunday (Stuff), Listener, The Fair Observer, among others. Anke has also contributed to several New Zealand documentaries as a researcher and associate producer. As a public speaker, she addresses topics such as cult awareness, coercive control, and identifying red flags in the wellness industry. Anke is a co-founder of FACT Aotearoa (Fight Against Conspiracy Theories), actively involved in combatting misinformation. Additionally, Anke is the founder and director of DECULT 2024, the first cult awareness conference in New Zealand. For more information, please visit her websites: www.ankerichter.net and www.decult.net. DECULT 2024, the first cult conference in the Southern Hemisphere, is happening in Christchurch from 19 – 20 October 2024, and is organised by New Zealand journalist Anke Richter who wrote CULT TRIP. Keynote speaker Dr. Janja Lalich and other experts like Dr. Gillie Jenkinson, filmmakers like Scott Homan (“Witness Underground”) and David Farrier (“Mister Organ”) and authors from around the world will meet with cult survivors, victim advocates and stakeholders in government. It's a unique chance for cult education in a country that has and still has a big cult problem. The two day event with 20+ speakers will be live-streamed. Follow Decult on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Let's decult 2024! Also…Let it be known far and wide, loud and clear that… The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. Nobody's mad at you, just don't be a culty fuckwad. Check out our lovely sponsors Join ‘A Little Bit Culty' on Patreon Get poppin' fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah's TEDTalk   CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Producer: Will Retherford Writer & Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin  

Jason Christian was born into Gloriavale — a self-proclaimed utopic Christian community of more than 500 people on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. His grandfather, Hopeful Christian, was the leader. Shut out from the outside world and forced to work on the farm at the age of six, Jason was primed to live a life without actual freedom, as this group of true believers was all he knew. But when it was time for him to marry a woman in the community that was chosen for him, Jason made a different choice.   LINKS Gloriavale documentary: https://www.gloriavale.com/ Follow us: Instagram @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com — “This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INACULT and get on your way to being your best self.”