Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale

by Theophila Pratt

‘I didn’t choose the cult life; the cult life chose me.’

Theophila Pratt was born Honey Faithful in Gloriavale, the fundamentalist Christian community that has been at the centre of decades of allegations of sexual and physical assault, and workplace exploitation.

Raised in this isolated community, where a small contingent of men held all the power, Theo found herself questioning the hostile and controlling environment in which she lived, where women and girls faced oppression and abuse on a daily basis.

When she decided to leave the community at age eighteen, Theo was dropped at a bus stop and left to fend for herself. Having been sheltered from the outside world, and with no knowledge of how society operated, she had to rebuild her life from scratch.

Now a qualified occupational therapist, Theo is telling her story with a view to unveiling the secrets of the Gloriavale community, and empowering other survivors to break free of the cycle of abuse.

Unveiled is a powerful account of one young woman’s journey to overcome the trauma of the past and find her voice.

Genres: Cults, Religion, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Giddey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s just fucking disgraceful that this place still exists.

[Ellen Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Trigger warning for sexual and physical abuse mentions throughout)

I’ve previously read another Gloriavale book (Lilia Tarawa’s) and enjoyed it, so I knew this book would be good too but shit, I forgot how horrific this cult is.

Pratt is great at encapsulating the oppressive daily atmosphere she had to endure. It’s also a true testament to her strength that she experienced such horrific things and has cultivated such a solid sense of self-worth. A truly fascinating and inspiring read.

By the way, check out all the court cases brought against the cult in the appendix, along with the wahine toa section.
It’s BEYOND infuriating that this cult has a charity status here in NZ and still operates to this day. Horrific.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing woman. I will never understand how gloriavale is allowed to still operate.

[Kristen Wingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great biography to read. Very interesting to find out about Theo’s journey from leaving Gloriavale to navigating life in the outside world.

[Grace Dore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocks me that this place is still open! I feel very sorry for all the women and children with very little choice and say in their lives. Leaving isn’t as easy as it sounds and there is SO much learning to be then done in the ‘real’ world. Leaving family behind and starting again with literally nothing would be unbelievably hard.

[Kelly Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most recently released book about growing up and leaving Gloriavale. Theophila not only tells her story in such a readable way, she also explains how it feels to be on the outside, under a different kind of scrutiny.

With all the public visibility of Gloriavale now--from the court cases and the media--it's important we hear from the women whose lives are impacted. As Theophila explains, Gloriavale isn't just a fascinating story or a quirky cult to laugh at, it is a place where some of her family still live and struggle, a place where there are fellow New Zealanders needing protection and help.

Theophila's story is an inspiring one and an example of how to overcome your past, whatever that may be, and find joy and the strength to stand up for others and for yourself.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 but rounding up.

This was a fascinating read. It is one that makes you angry, heartbroken, devastated and hopeful and encouraged all at once. Theophila tells her story in such a simple, natural way but yet still manages to portray the complexities of what life in a cult is like and how complicated it truly is. Pratt also explosions what life is like both inside and outside the cult in such a compelling way that you cant help but feel what she is feeling. The vulnerability behind each word is so clear that you can almost understand what is like to be there in Gloriavale. The courage it has taken Theo to not only stand up for herself and others while her time in the cult, then to leave but to also continue to fight for those still left behind from the outside is truly inspiring.

Theophila Pratt’s story, just like all the others, are so essential to read about and learn about because without them we will never truly understand the truly shocking abuse happening behind those gates and not the silly crazy Christian hippies who live off grid that the cult wants us to believe. BELIEVE THE OPPRESSED NOT THE OPPRESSORS.

[Lakinloveslit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just finished this and all I can say is Theophila is an inspiring wāhine toa. Born Honey Faithful in Gloriavale, she’s now an occupational therapist and wants to inspire others to break the cycle of abuse.

Gloriavale has been in the NZ media for years, but it’s always great to read the perspective of someone who knows what it’s truly like. This book is well written and I couldn’t put it down. Not only sharing her own story, Theophila has included short stories from other women who have left Gloriavale and I applaud all of them for their honesty and courage. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to leave the only life you’ve ever know behind, but it’s wonderful to see them thrive in the outside world.

Definitely a book I would recommend all kiwis to pick up.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theophila Pratt has done an excellent piece of writing in describing her life through Gloriavale into real freedom. I have nothing but admiration for her. I hope she is enjoying life now in her new home. I think the final part of her book has excellent suggestions for the general public on how to sit with Gloriavale. Of course since the book was published the school has closed and hopefully the young people will get the opportunity to go to a school outside the compound. Meant to be a Christian community but is an anti-christian cult community. And in it like many religious communities a disdain for women. I was especially shocked by the treatment of the elderly. We always focus on the young but the elderly suffer too.

[Alison Hydes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theaphila was raised in Gloriavale on the West coast of NZ. It has been the centre of allegations of physical assult , sexual abuse and exploitation of workers as young as 6.Theaphila started questioning the hostile environment where women had no say and were just treated like slaves, endless child rearing and no respect. Thea was kicked out of Gloriavale at 18 with a bus ticket and little money. This is a story of rebuilding your life of resilience and empowerment.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting Gloriavale Leaver story, awesome to see how Theo overcame the abuse and challenges of her childhood and made her way into the world at 18.
I would have liked to learn more of the everyday challenges when leaving, learning the ways of the world which were only briefly touched upon, as was her journey to India to see her sister.
As always, a fascinating insight.
3.5 stars

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Unveiled a very harrowing book to read , and was only comfortable reading it in small doses so it has taken me a while to finish .
Theo is a brave girl , but pleased she has been able to write down her story , I hope it helps in the healing process after leaving Gloriavale
A wonderful collection of photos add to the story

[LibraryKath · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this one. It's probably a good book if you hadn't read anything about Gloriavale before, but for me it was the same story that I have read several times by young women who have left the cult. I got bored and gave up, other people were waiting for the library copy.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A courageous expose about life in Gloriavale. As a Nrw Zealander I found it hard to stomach that this is occurring in NZ in 2025 and nothing is being done about it. A great read and a book I strongly recommend to others.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow!
Thank you Theo for sharing with us your life in Gloriavale. You are certainly one strong lady. I wish you all the best going forward ❤️

[TraceyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and presented factual content in a way that felt more like a story than a textbook as well. Theophila's story is inspiring

[Kathryn Fathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. she's coped with a lot and made good in all aspects of her life. A very easy to read book. Time that place was closed down

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unveiled is a powerful account by a young wāhine who has survived and overcome numerous traumatic experiences within the secretive Glorivale community. The book offers an honest and heartfelt exploration of Theo’s personal journey, shedding light on the inner workings of this tightly controlled environment. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of stories from other wāhine who have left Gloriavale, highlighting the profound impact on their lives and families.

As a New Zealander raised in an ignorant bliss, I was struck by how little we know about what truly happens behind the community’s closed doors. This book shines a necessary light on what it means to grow up in such an isolated world and the courage required to leave it all behind in search of a better future.