By Jean Edwards of RNZ
During a recent visit to the Gloriavale Christian community on the West Coast, Senior government minister Louise Upston was misled by its leaders, according to a leavers’ lawyer. The lawyer, Dennis Gates, believes that Upston should resign due to her lack of awareness regarding the safety concerns at Gloriavale.
Despite Upston’s statement that she did not see any issues related to children’s safety during her visit, Gates argues that she was deceived by the community’s leaders. He criticized Upston for being unaware of the Ministry of Education’s decision to cancel Gloriavale Christian School’s registration due to safety concerns.
Gates pointed out that the living conditions at Gloriavale were substandard, and the members were restricted in various aspects of their lives. He emphasized the need for action to address the abusive environment within the community.
Upston’s office declined to respond to Gates’ criticism, but the minister defended her visit as an important step in ensuring the safety of children at Gloriavale. She expressed confidence in the community’s engagement with government agencies and their commitment to child safety.
Despite the ongoing concerns raised by critics like Gates, Gloriavale continues to operate pending a High Court judicial review. The community has faced scrutiny for its history of abuse and control under the leadership of figures like Hopeful Christian and Howard Temple.
As the debate over Gloriavale’s future continues, the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of its members remains a pressing issue for both government officials and advocates like Dennis Gates.
