Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is “very concerned” about the admission of abuse from Gloriavale’s leader but would not be drawn on potential Government oversight of the West Coast commune.
Howard Temple, 85, earlier denied 24 charges, including several of sexual offending against girls and young women at the West Coast commune over 20 years.
However on Wednesday, Temple pleaded guilty to an amended set of charges, including five of indecent assault, five of doing an indecent act, and two common assault charges.
A further 12 charges were dropped.
He was remanded on bail until August 11, when a sentencing date would be set.
Temple’s offending was alleged to have taken place between 1998 and 2022, when the complainants were aged between nine and 20.
At the National Party conference in Christchurch, Luxon told 1News he was “very concerned about the situation” — as were many Kiwis.
“But I also have to acknowledge that it is actually before the courts and therefore I really can’t say too much more about it.”
The 85-year-old changed his plea to 12 charges on day three of his trial that was scheduled to last three weeks. (Source: 1News)
Lawyer Brian Henry, who had represented many former Gloriavale members in court, has long called for government intervention. He said Luxon needed to act.
“It’s not Christian to play with little girls, it’s not Christian to be a sexual predator. How can the Government not do something about this organisation?”
Luxon refused to answer questions about government oversight of Gloriavale or whether he had received any recent briefings on the matter.
“I don’t want to go into it any further, but I register and have those concerns, like many New Zealanders do as well.”
Temple helped establish Gloriavale in the 1960s, alongside convicted sex offender Hopeful Christian, who was the founder and the first Overseeing Shepherd.