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2000s: A girl travels to New Zealand and soon becomes immersed inside a cult…
2000s: A girl travels to New Zealand and soon becomes immersed inside a cult…
Cassy waved goodbye to her parents as she headed off to New Zealand. They never dreamed that it would be years before they’d see her again.
Having broken up with her boyfriend, Cassy accepts an invitation to stay in an idyllic farming collective. She’s overcome by the peace and beauty of the valley and soon becomes convinced that this is where she belongs especially when she meets Justin, the community’s leader.
As Cassy becomes more and more entrenched in the group’s rituals and beliefs, her frantic parents fight to bring her home – before Justin’s prophesied Last Day can come to pass.
“The Community has little impact and locals seem barely ware of its existence. members use dentists, supermarkets and other services in Rotorua. They’re seen as polite people, known for excellent produce and craft products.
The community runs its own school, registered as a private school with the Ministry of Education. The government’s Education ReviewOffice reported on the Gethsemane school in 2007. The report is available on line, No significant alarm bells were rung.
I spoke to an ex colleague in the Rotorua police who confirmed that the community is generally no trouble. His chief contact with them has been in issuing and renewing firearms licenses to members who hunt in the surrounding hills. He noted that on several occasions over the years, relative have appealed for help in ‘rescuing’ members of the community, but that on each occasion the member in question has refused to leave”
Destination: Rotorua Author/Guide: Charity Norman Departure Time: 2000s
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