Settlement reached after Gloriavale leavers took civil action against leaders

Thursday, 10 June 2021

Former Gloriavale members John Ready, James Harrison and Virginia Courage outside the High Court at Greymouth, where they filed their civil action.

Public Trust will oversee the trust governing the Gloriavale Christian Community for 18 months.

Some former Gloriavale members asked the High Court to give control of the community's assets to Public Trust because they alleged the community’s leaders failed to provide adequate working and living conditions.

Former Gloriavale member John Ready and others brought civil action against the Christian Community Charitable Trust, which administers the running of Gloriavale and its assets. Its trustees are senior leaders and three independent people.

A minute released by Associate Judge Dale Lester on Thursday said the parties reached a resolution at a judicial settlement conference at the High Court in Greymouth in April.

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The minute said Public Trust was invited to join the conference at the request of all parties.

The Gloriavale Christian Community is located by Lake Haupiri on the West Coast.

Public Trust is a Crown entity whose independence is guaranteed under the Public Trust Act 2001. It was established in 1873 to provide independent and reliable trustee services.

Associate Judge Lester said Public Trust agreed “to perform a reviewing role for a period of 18 months, with regular reports being made to the High Court”.

About 580 people live at Gloriavale, an isolated community about an hour’s drive from Greymouth.

“The parties are pleased with the outcome which will help to ensure the ongoing future of Gloriavale as a faith-based community,” he said.

No further comment would be made by the parties in relation to the proceeding.

The isolated West Coast Christian community of Gloriavale has set itself apart from the rest of society for more than 50 years.

Ready’s lawyer, in a February hearing, alleged the Gloriavale community bred sexual predators and victims, and that members were forced into “slave labour”.

The plaintiffs said they were also concerned about the quality of the accommodation, food, and access to medical care and education members received.

“This is not about destroying Gloriavale in any way … this is about seeing that the right thing is done for the people that live there,” John Ready said when tthe court action was filed in September.

The plaintiffs alleged that in joining Gloriavale, they agreed to give the trust all their possessions, including property, money, and any future earnings.

They claimed some trustees had breached that agreement in 29 “ongoing and serious” ways, and alleged the trust was failing to provide a safe and secure environment where members were free from interference in their privacy, family and home life, and free to express opinions and religious beliefs.

They also wanted a declaration that Ready and another former member were still beneficiaries of the Gloriavale trust.

In a statement previously released by the High Court, Gloriavale leaders said the community's “core belief” was that all assets would be used collectively for the benefit of the entire community.

The leaders said members were given independent legal advice before signing the document.

Community members were given simple home-grown meals, warm, clean and dry accommodation, and access to recreational facilities including sports courts, boats, a swimming pool and film nights.

The 168 members who were Christian Partners and worked in the community’s businesses received an equal share of profits. They paid tax and ACC levies but donated the remainder back to the community, the leaders said.

The members chose to abide by religious doctrine, including no contraception, no divorce and that men were the religious leaders.

People were free to leave and those who do are not considered “damned” by the leaders. They could visit remaining family members as long as they were respectful.

“The defendants … are committed to ensuring Gloriavale is a safe and stable religious community for those who choose to live within it in accordance with the tenets of its faith,” the leaders said.