Since 1969, Gloriavale Christian Community has set itself apart from New Zealand society. Over the past six years, nearly 100 people have left or been expelled from the 550-strong group on the South Island’s West Coast. Gloriavale leavers know only the communal lifestyle, religious rules and conformity demanded by their former leaders. For them, Timaru might as well be a foreign country.


	What it's like to leave Gloriavale Since 1969, Gloriavale Christian Community has set itself apart from New Zealand society. Over the past six years, nearly 100 people have left or been expelled from the 550-strong group on the South Island’s West Coast. Gloriavale leavers know only the communal lifestyle, religious rules and conformity demanded by their former leaders. For them, Timaru might as well be a foreign country.


	Stories from within Anke Richter has reported extensively on cults—and for the last six months, Gloriavale has been her focus.

To love a land

"I never used to be like this: emoting over landscapes. I attribute it to 30 years with New Zealand Geographic—a steady accumulation of awareness and response to what makes this land unique, and what makes it home."

Noise ages birds faster

Zebra finches exposed to the sound of traffic appear to age faster than those in quieter environments.

Ocean sprawl

Much research focuses on how ocean structures negatively affect marine ecosystems—jetties, platforms, wrecks and pipelines can change habitats. But could they also help?


	Swim with pilot whales using virtual reality New Zealand Geographic's NZVR Project lets you travel through New Zealand's wild places using virtual reality on any phone, tablet or desktop computer. Glide with stingrays at the Poor Knights, swim through swaying sargassum weed at the Three Kings, dive with pilot whales off the edge of the continental shelf, explore the shallows of Parengarenga Harbour, experience the charms and challenges of the Hauraki Gulf... even swim with humpback whales in Niue! Production was funded by Foundation North's Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT), NZonAir and supported by partners WWF and Sir Peter Blake Trust.