Gloriavale is a fundamentalist Christian cult in the beautiful country of New Zealand. Not only do they observe some strange practices but they also face decades worth of accusations of brainwashing, abuse, and violence. They still operate today with about 500 members.

Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

Links & Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233

VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846

Make The Connection

• Gloriavale’s website
• Lilia Tarawa’s Tedx Talk
• Lilia Tarawa’s Daughter of Gloriavale
• A three-part documentary on Amazon Prime about Gloriavale featuring interviews and footage inside the community 
• A video about an abuse case from Gloriavale that actually went to court (fair warning: disturbing first-hand account of domestic violence)
• An article about child sexual abuse at the Gloriavale school.
• A fantastic interview with Lilia Tarawa

Written and produced by Anna Roberts

Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

Intro music by Elliot Middleton