Gloriavale trust loses charitable status over misconduct

The Charities Registration Board has revoked the charitable status of the Christian Church Community Trust, which governs the assets of the Gloriavale religious community in New Zealand. The decision, effective September 23, comes after an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs found that the trust’s funding supported activities found to be unlawful and inconsistent with the wellbeing of its beneficiaries.

The board cited “serious wrongdoing,” including the use of child labor and failures to report sexual crimes. Previous employment court rulings established that former members were unpaid employees rather than volunteers, with children as young as six performing full-time labor in harsh or dangerous conditions. Additionally, the board referenced the non-reporting of sexual offenses at the community’s school.

As part of the ruling, former leader Howard Temple has been disqualified from holding governance roles in other charities following his conviction for the sexual abuse of women and girls. The Trust is barred from applying for re-registration for three years. The Trust governs communal living spaces, a private school, childcare centers, and holds 100% shares in eight community-operated companies.