Photo: RNZSenior government minister Louise Upston was duped by Gloriavale leaders on a visit to the West Coast Christian community and should resign, a leavers' lawyer says. Lawyer Dennis Gates, who has previously represented Gloriavale leavers, said Upston had been misled. "Minister Upston is completely naive about what's happening or is very poorly serviced by her department to the point I think she should resign," he said. "You've got one minister saying they're safe and another ministry saying they're not," he said. Government agencies were at Gloriavale working with the community on a regular basis, Upston said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 06, 2026 21:35 UTC