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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
JUNE 2000
NZ Herald article by Bronwyn Sell. As they leave the community, Bert Potter's supporters take a lot of money with them.
Memories won't fade easily from Centrepoint Property
MAY 2008
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.
Paedophile cop 'aided abuse' at Centrepoint
Oct 2009
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.
Centrepoint Children Living with Effects - study
MAY 2010
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.
Centrepoint Children Denied Justice
JUNE 2010
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.
Commune Pain Lingers
JUNE 2010
Stuff article by Liz Willis discussing the results of the Massey study and concerns about meeting the needs of those affected by sexual abuse.
Centrepoint Leader Bert Potter Dies
MAY 2012
Stuff article by Sarah Harvey reviewing Bert's last few years and some Centrepoint history after his death.
Bert Potter's Son Offers Apology to Victims
MAY 2012
NZ Herald article covering the funeral and outlining some of the apology offered by John Potter at his father's funeral.
Victim: Bert Potter's Death Ensures No Reoffending
MAY 2012
NZ Herald article further reviewing the historical facts, and getting thoughts on Bert's death from a victim of abuse.
Death of Centrepoint Founder A Relief
MAY 2012
Barrie Leslie is interviewed in this article about her feelings about Bert's death
Book Tells of Commune Abuse
AUG 2013
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.
Centrepoint survivor revisits horror in new doco, Angie
July 2018
Stuff film review of the documentary by film maker Costa Botes, with an interview with the director