"Praxis" <janeebislis@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:80ee9418.0212280631.4ea307dd@posting.google.com...

> http://www.vision-nz.co.nz/censnon.htm
> RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION BY CENSUS PERIOD
> Scientology
> 1986 = 189
> 1991 = 207
> 1996 = 213
>
> http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2001/5677.htm
> New Zealand - International Religious Freedom Report
> Section I. Religious Demography
> According to 1996 census data....
> Church of Scientology - 216
>
> 0.01 percent of the population.

(More accurately, 0.0059%.)

I believe Scientology was never successful in New Zealand because of the outrage generated by the family disconnection policy. This caused the Government to establish a 'Commission of Inquiry into the Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand' in 1969, chaired by Sir Guy Powles.

The Commission's full report is here:

http://www.demon.co.uk/castle/audit/nzhome.html and its conclusions were:

'The commission feels that for the future Scientology should regard as indispensable certain rules of practice. These are:

1. No reintroduction of the practice of disconnection.

2. No issue of Suppressive Person or Declaration of Enemy orders by any member to any other member of a family.

3. No auditing or processing or training of anyone under the age of 21 without the specific written consent of both parents; such consent to include approval of the fees (which shall be specified) to be charged for the course or courses to which the consent is applicable.

4. A reduction to reasonable dimensions of "promotion" literature sent through the post to individuals, and prompt discontinuance of it when this is requested.

I don't think the Church of Scientology can operate easily under these conditions, which may explain why they decided not to invest much further effort to expand here.

Looking in the White Pages I found only two references, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch, but none in the capital city, Wellington.

Although in a recent post you pointed out that the Christchurch organization had been dissolved.

'Dissolution of Incorporated Societies Section 28 (1) of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 The Registrar of Incorporated Societies is satisfied that the societies listed below are no longer carrying on their operations and have declared that they are dissolved as from the 5th day of August 2002:

.......

Church of Scientology Mission of Christ-Church Incorporated.'

I'll check tomorrow if the above reference was the only Scientology presence in Christchurch. I wonder why they chose to hyphenate Christchurch. I've never seen that spelling before. Hmm, I've just thought of a reason but it may be uncharitable and probably wrong.

But I did find a curious web site here:

http://www.rehabilitatenz.co.nz/

Unlike other Scientology sites I've seen, which are very professionally presented, this one seems rather home-made. It gives current prices, for instance the rather unusually named 'Pregnancy Counseling' course costs $NZ992 per 25hrs. This is in fact the 'Life Repair Counseling' course. Would this be a Mission and not part of the Auckland org?

And is it normal to offer non Scientologists FSM commissions?

'Earn a 10 - 15% commission on anyone you refer for a service on this site.

Sell any of the books or packages and earn a 15% Commission'

Andrew

The official page for religion and ethnicity data from Statistics New Zealand is here:

http://www.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/Web/nzstories.nsf/092edeb76ed5a a6bcc256afe0081d84e/553e95d870abb153cc256b1e0080ad44?OpenDocument

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