Haupiri is a locality in the West Coast region of New Zealand's

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

Greymouth Greymouth () (Māori language, Māori: ''Māwhera'') is the largest town in the West Coast, New Zealand, West Coast List of regions in New Zealand, region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. The populat ...

lies to the west. The Ahaura and Haupiri Rivers run through the area. The population of the Haupiri Area Unit, which covered a much larger area than the locality, was 531 in the 2013 census, an increase of 150 people from 2006. Since the 2018 Census, Haupiri has been part of the Lake Brunner statistical area. Lake Haupiri, located north of the settlement, is used for trout fishing. It has an amenity area protected under the

Conservation Act 1987 The Conservation Act 1987 is New Zealand's principal act concerning the conservation of indigenous biodiversity. The Act established the Department of Conservation (who administer the Act) and Fish and Game, and complements the National Pa ...

. The surrounding area includes native forest, dairy farming, scrub, tussock and wetlands.

Gloriavale Christian Community

Gloriavale Christian Community is a private commune often described as a

cult Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cults. The term ...

based south of Lake Haupiri. Established in 1990 when its members relocated from Springbank Christian Community in

North Canterbury Canterbury () is a region of New Zealand, located in the central-eastern South Island. The region covers an area of , making it the largest region in the country by area. It is home to a population of The region in its current form was estab ...

, the community of over 500 members operates a number of commercial enterprises on the large land-holding surrounding its base. The Gloriavale organisation has attracted controversy through the notoriety of its leader, Neville Cooper, subsequently known as Hopeful Christian (died 2018), who had convictions for sexual assault of community members, and its categorisation by some within the wider Christian community as a religious cult.

References

{{Grey District Grey District Populated places in the West Coast Region Lakes of the West Coast Region