Media Releases
The media has had a big interest in Centrepoint over the years. They have also driven interest at times in exposing the injustices still unresolved. Reading through these releases can give an interesting historical account of events as they unfolded.
Pay-Off for Potter's Old Believers
NZ Herald article by Bronwyn Sell. As they leave the community, Bert Potter's supporters take a lot of money with them.
JUNE 2000
Memories won't fade easily from Centrepoint Property
NZ Herald article by Megan Jones. The property is converted to an eco-village and while the site may have changed hands and purpose, the ghosts of abuse still haunt.
MAY 2008
Paedophile cop 'aided abuse' at Centrepoint
Stuff article by Tim Hume revealing the delays in the police investigation into the sexual abuse of children claims in the 1990s due to a police officer who had his own secrets to hide.
Oct 2009
Centrepoint Children Living with Effects - study
NZ Press Association article in the NZ Herald discussing the release of the Massey University study into the effects of childhood sexual abuse at Centrepoint.
MAY 2010
Centrepoint Children Denied Justice
Kerry Gibson talks to Stuff journalist Michael Field about the retrospective Massey study where 29 adult children of Centrepoint were interviewed about their experiences anonymously.
JUNE 2010
Commune Pain Lingers
Stuff article by Liz Willis discussing the results of the Massey study and concerns about meeting the needs of those affected by sexual abuse.
JUNE 2010
Centrepoint Leader Bert Potter Dies
Stuff article by Sarah Harvey reviewing Bert's last few years and some Centrepoint history after his death.
MAY 2012
Bert Potter's Son Offers Apology to Victims
NZ Herald article covering the funeral and outlining some of the apology offered by John Potter at his father's funeral.
MAY 2012
Victim: Bert Potter's Death Ensures No Reoffending
NZ Herald article further reviewing the historical facts, and getting thoughts on Bert's death from a victim of abuse.
MAY 2012
Death of Centrepoint Founder A Relief
Barrie Leslie is interviewed in this article about her feelings about Bert's death
MAY 2012
Book Tells of Commune Abuse
Stuff article by Liz Willis reviewing the memoir of Centrepoint from a child's perspective 'Surviving Centrepoint' by Ella James, who lived at Centrepoint as a child.
AUG 2013
Centrepoint survivor revisits horror in new doco, Angie
Stuff film review of the documentary by film maker Costa Botes, with an interview with the director
July 2018