Gloriavale member unconcerned about policy inquiry

Members of the Gloriavale community. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A member of the secretive Christian community Gloriavale says he is unconcerned about a police inquiry into the group.

Gloriavale Christian Community School principal Faithful Pilgrim said a fair investigation would prove recent allegations made about Gloriavale were false.

"[The police] can do what they want to do. There have been investigations before and lots of people make allegations but that doesn't mean to say they are right or substantiated.

"Any fair investigation will show these allegations are groundless," he said.

Police today announced a free phone line had been set up for people to discuss experiences at the secretive Christian community, based at Haupiri, about 60km east of Greymouth.

The line was established to manage the growing number of people wanting to discuss Gloriavale, police said.

Police launched an inquiry on Tuesday after numerous media reports of concerns from people who had left the community.

Earlier today, Mr Pilgrim said allegations of men being groomed to have sex with underage females were "rubbish".

The accusations were made by former community member Karen Winder who is the granddaughter of the commune's leader.

"There are a lot of nonsense allegations being made by some people. What we stand for is living by the Bible. The kind of things that are being said are totally against what we stand for and against what the New Testament teaches."

In a report on stuff.co.nz this morning, Ms Winder claimed Gloriavale's men were "groomed" to have sex with underage girls.

Another former member had also alleged females who put on weight were forced to fast and were verbally abused.

Mr Pilgrim said he had never heard of, or seen, abuse or grooming for underage sex in the Gloriavale community.

"I have been with this group for over 40 years and I haven't seen it or heard of it," he said.

"Any thinking, education person won't just believe everything they read in the media. They will want to check up on sources.

"We are quite up front about the fact that we live by the New Testament and that gets some people quite upset. Some people really hate the values of the New Testament and they are out to destroy it. Well, that is up to them."

Mr Pilgrim said if people were so speak to Gloriavale women, they would see the allegations were false.

"If people talk to our girls they will soon see they are not like that and then they can make up their own minds," he said.

Gloriavale leader Fervent Stedfast also told the NZME News Service this morning the group had been unfairly represented in media coverage.

"I think a key feature is that everyone is out for high ratings. I'm not willing to make much comment at this stage because it is very hard to get fair reporting."

He declined further comment.

The Gloriavale police line is 0800 400 800.