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Scientology in New Zealand

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The Church of Scientology of Auckland in Grafton
An e-meter reading at the opening of the Church of Scientology of Auckland in 2017

Scientology has been established in New Zealand since 1955[1] and the Auckland organisation was the second Church of Scientology established in the world.

The 2006 census recorded 357 people affiliated to the Church of Scientology.[2][3] The 2013 census showed 315 people identified with Scientology, and 321 in the 2018 census.[4][5] The Church claims that it has 3500-5000 followers, with 30,000 being involved with the Church of Scientology since it was established in 1955.[6][7]

The church is registered as a charity and Inland Revenue Department has granted charitable status to the church for tax purposes.[8][9]

History

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Scientology was introduced to New Zealand by Frank Turnbull, who in 1953 flew from Christchurch to Philadelphia to study as a Scientologist.[10] Whilst there, he met L. Ron Hubbard and was ordained the "Scientology Bishop of Oceania."[10][11]

Dumbleton–Powles Report

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In 1968 a petition with 716 signatures called upon the Parliament of New Zealand to set up a board of inquiry into Scientology. The Commission of Inquiry into the Hubbard Scientology organisation in New Zealand issued public notice that it would hear evidence in Auckland and Wellington in March and April 1969. The commission aimed to "hear about and examine cases where it is said that Scientology has in New Zealand led to the estrangement of families, affected the control of persons under 21, or put unreasonable pressure upon former Scientologists who have left it, or other persons".[12]

After hearing evidence, the Commission found against Scientology, concluding that "the activities, methods, and practices of Scientology did result in persons being subjected to improper or unreasonable pressures".[13] However, on receiving assurances that Scientology would change its practices, the Commission recommended that - subject to those assurances - no immediate action be taken against Scientology.

The findings were published as the Dumbleton–Powles Report, authored by E.V. Dumbleton and Sir Guy Richardson Powles, and published on 30 June 1969.[14]

Whitecliffe Campus

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In 2007, the Church of Scientology bought the heritage-listed Grafton building, formerly Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design for ten million dollars.[15] It has been reported that the Church spent a further six million dollars on renovations.[16][17] The building was opened on 21 January 2017 by David Miscavige.[16]

Controversies

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In 2008 a protest against the church as part of Project Chanology was held in some parts of New Zealand by "Anonymous", a world-wide group that has concerns about internet censorship by Scientologists.[18]

In 2012, it was reported that the Church of Scientology was receiving government grants to publish and distribute anti-drug pamphlets, and run rehabilitative services. The head of the New Zealand Drug Foundation called their practices "quackery" and disapproved of the Church getting this funding.[19]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand the Church of Scientology distributed 50,000 pamphlets in Auckland called Stay Well which were branded in similar colours to the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 branding. This led to some criticism, with some accusing the Church of capitalising on the pandemic to distribute religious material for their organisation in a deceptive manner.[20] However, the Church of Scientology defended their pamphlet and distribution, saying that they had used this branding before the pandemic had started and that the pamphlet was clearly labelled as a Scientology publication [21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "THE DUMBLETON - POWLES REPORT: PART II". www.xenu.net. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. ^ Statistics New Zealand: QuickStats About Culture and Identity, Table 28:Religious Affiliation
  3. ^ 2006 New Zealand Religioud Affiliation Data (XLS file) Archived 2013-11-15 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "2013 Census totals by topic – tables". Statistics New Zealand. Statistics New Zealand. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Most common religious affiliations in New Zealand". Figure.NZ. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  6. ^ Wall, Tony (10 February 2008). "The Faith Business". Sunday Star Times.
  7. ^ "Q+A: Kiwi Scientologist". RNZ. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Church of Scientology in Auckland: Religious Charity Status". www.scientologytoday.org. Archived from the original on 1 February 2003.
  9. ^ charities.govt.nz
  10. ^ a b Farrier, David (22 January 2017). "David Farrier: My secret life as a Scientologist". Stuff. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  11. ^ "THE ANDERSON REPORT: CHAPTER 15". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand".
  13. ^ "Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand".
  14. ^ "Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand". 3 February 1969. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  15. ^ "Scientology's multi-million dollar HQ". NZ Herald. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Church of Scientology's supreme leader David Miscavige in Auckland for opening of new headquarters". Stuff. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  17. ^ "An inside look at Auckland's new Church of Scientology". New Zealand Herald. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  18. ^ Wall, Tony (16 March 2008). "Protesters bid to unmask Scientology". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
  19. ^ "Mainstream funding in NZ for Scientology?". RNZ. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Auckland shops 'deceived' into handing out Scientology booklets, mistaking them for official COVID-19 pamphlets". Newshub. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Scientology's Covid-19 pamphlets look like New Zealand government advice". South China Morning Post. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
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