Gloriavale Christian School to Remain Open Following Judicial Review Application in New Zealand

School's Registration Cancellation Halted by High Court

Gloriavale Christian School, located within the isolated Gloriavale Christian Community on New Zealand's West Coast, will remain open after its board applied for a judicial review against the Ministry of Education's decision to cancel its registration. The cancellation was scheduled to take effect today, January 23, 2026. However, the High Court granted interim orders yesterday, ensuring the school can continue to operate pending a full hearing of the judicial review application.

Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid confirmed that the Ministry has agreed to allow the school to remain open, with both parties committing to progress the judicial review expeditiously.

Ministry's Concerns Over Safety and Compliance

The Ministry of Education's decision to cancel the school's registration stemmed from significant concerns regarding its ability to meet private school registration criteria. These concerns were highlighted following a second failed audit by the Education Review Office (ERO) in as many years.

Key issues identified in a July ERO report included:

• Failure to meet three of eight registration criteria.
• The school not being a physically and emotionally safe space for students.
• Insufficient evidence provided by the school to assure consistent compliance with all private school registration criteria.
• No indication that additional time would lead to compliance.

MacGregor-Reid had initially advised the school in October that the Ministry was considering cancelling its registration. The school board, however, has publicly labeled the Ministry's decision as 'unjust'.

Background and Ongoing Scrutiny

The Gloriavale Christian School has been under increased scrutiny for some time. In September 2025, the Ministry determined that the school continued to 'fall short' of providing a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. This followed a 2023 ERO report which found the school did not meet six of the eight criteria for private school registration.

The community itself has faced various allegations, including those related to child labor and a curriculum criticized for being sexist. In May 2022, the Employment Court ruled that former residents had been employees from the age of six, performing 'strenuous, difficult and sometimes dangerous' work when legally required to attend school. These broader issues contribute to the ongoing oversight of the school's operations.