Report finds Arise failures ‘egregious’

An external review of Arise Church has called for its board to resign amid a deluge of reports by more than 500 current and former members, including allegations of ‘‘cult-like behaviour’’, racism, sexual assault and conversion therapy.

The report, compiled by Pathfinding, a consultancy for charitable organisations, was leaked to journalist David Farrier, who earlier revealed allegations of abuse and misconduct against Arise.

It has laid bare the experiences of hundreds of people involved with the Pentecostal church, which received nearly $15 million in donations last year.

Leaders John, Gillian and Brent Cameron resigned from their roles in May following the raft of allegations, which were first made public on Farrier’s Webworm platform in April.

A 34-page summary of the investigation concluded it was ‘‘undeniable’’ that there had been ‘‘significant hurts’’ caused to people involved with Arise and ‘‘egregious and systemic failures’’ in governance over many years.

‘‘Notwithstanding the new appointments, the board as an entity has lost its moral mandate to govern Arise,’’ it said.

Arise had tried to stop the review from being released publicly, leading the Employment Relations Authority to place a temporary non-publication order on the document last month.

However, after the publication of the review by Farrier and RNZ – and a teleconference held yesterday between John and Gillian Cameron and the authority – the order was rescinded.

In a statement yesterday, Arise said the report was ‘‘illegally obtained’’.

The review was ‘‘not an investigative process, with no testing or verification of what was heard’’, Arise’s statement said. ‘‘Because this approach does not result in substantiated findings, the board sought further advice from experts in the field of HR, governance, and finance.’’ Further reports are now being carried out by Duncan Cotterill, Parry Fields Lawyers and BDO Accounting.

Pathfinding set out 92 recommendations. In total, 545 people completed submissions.

Reviewers were told of people who were part of the LGBTQI+ community being subjected to conversion therapy and denied opportunities to serve because of their ‘‘sin’’. They heard of senior leaders and a former board member getting naked in front of a staff member and ‘‘ongoing targeted sexual harassment’’.

Submitters recounted stories of racist remarks, including from the stage during Sunday church services, and some staff being told to focus on ‘‘white kids’’.