Around 600 people (including around 350 children) currently live at Gloriavale – a strict Christian community on the West Coast. In TVNZ's upcoming three-part doco Escaping Utopia, former church member Rosie Overseer talks about her experiences there, including years of childhood sexual abuse. Rosie joins Susie Ferguson with Liz Gregory, one of the people who helped her family make a new life and founder of the Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust.
'Treated as slaves': Former Gloriavale women recognised as employees in Employment Court triumph stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
One of the worst riots in New Zealand's history, the warmest wettest winter on record and the death of the Queen were among the year's most significant events.
Six former Gloriavale women who claim they lived in slave-like conditions and worked under a regime of total control will have their case heard by the Employment Court from today.