Scientology has been established inNew Zealand since 1955.[1] 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] The2013 census showed 315 people identified with Scientology, and 321 in the2018 census.[4][5] The Church claims that it has between 3,500 and 5,000 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 andInland Revenue Department has granted charitable status to the church for tax purposes.[8][9]
Scientology was introduced to New Zealand by Frank Turnbull, who in 1953 flew from Christchurch toPhiladelphia to study as a Scientologist.[10] Whilst there, he metL. Ron Hubbard and was ordained the "Scientology Bishop of Oceania."[10][11]
In 1968 a petition with 716 signatures called upon theParliament of New Zealand to set up a board of inquiry into Scientology. TheCommission 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 theDumbleton–Powles Report, authored by E.V. Dumbleton andSir Guy Richardson Powles, and published on 30 June 1969.[14]
In 2007, the Church of Scientology bought the heritage-listedGrafton building, formerlyWhitecliffe College of Arts and Design for ten million dollars.[15] It was reported that the Church spent a further six million dollars on renovations.[16][17] The building was opened on 21 January 2017 byDavid Miscavige.[16]
In 2008 a protest against the church as part ofProject 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 theNew Zealand Drug Foundation called their practices "quackery" and disapproved of the Church getting the funding.[19]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand the Church of Scientology distributed 50,000 pamphlets in Auckland calledStay 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]
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