Moo Chews NZ is now looking for a new manufacturer for milk bites previously made at Gloriavale after concerns were raised about employment practices. The calcium-based children’s snack has been exported to Australia, Britain, India, China and Hong Kong and carries the government-endorsed FernMark label. Where the money comes from As a registered charity Gloriavale’s Christian Church Community Trust is obliged to file annual financial statements with Charities Services, and they show its annual income has increased fivefold from just over $4m a decade ago. Farming has been a mainstay of Gloriavale since it was established near Christchurch in 1969 by Neville Cooper, known as Hopeful Christian, before moving in 1991 to Haupiri on the West Coast where it owns dairy farms carrying 3126 cows, and one of the largest deer farms in the country.
Moo Chews did not respond when asked if it had uncovered any problems with conditions at the Gloriavale facility, and the phone number on the Moo Chews website has a recorded message saying voicemails are not checked and have been blocked. However, Moo Chews said on its Facebook page: “The Moo Chews brand is all about children and family values. Moo Chews promotes responsibility and values good character. “We do not condone forced labour or exploitation of people, and we do not support any supplier who condones these practices.” The loss of the contract is the latest blow for Gloriavale which is facing scrutiny from multiple Government agencies over allegations of child abuse, and concerns about treatment of community members working in various businesses including dairy farming, Pure Vitality deer velvet and skincare products, and Forest Gold Honey.