Chilling new docuseries about New Zealand religious cult Gloriavale is here

Kiwis are about to take a chilling new look inside Aotearoa’s most notorious religious cult, Gloriavale. 

The brand-new three-part docuseries, Escaping Utopia, unveils the shocking true stories of escape and defiance from those leaving the extreme Christian community situated in one of the most isolated places on New Zealand’s West Coast.  

This isn’t the first time Gloriavale has been on New Zealand TV screens.  

In 2014, Gloriavale: A World Apart aired, showing the lives of the people living within the isolated community founded by Neville Cooper in 1969. However, it didn’t give the full picture. 

Now a decade on, Kiwis will be privy to a side of the community we haven’t seen before.  

Escaping Utopia documents the secrecy deep within the walls of Gloriavale. Behind the whispers of escape and justice, stands the Gloriavale Leavers’ Trust, a group of passionate individuals seeking justice and offering hope of a life outside the gates of the community. 

Astonishing accounts and stories from current and former members of the community reveal new information, unravelling the truth and lies about Gloriavale’s horrifying history. 

Escaping Utopia premiers on Sunday 24th March, 8:30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ and continues Monday 25th, and Tuesday 26th

Read more from former member Theophila Pratt on what it’s really like to leave.