Centrepoint (commune)
Encyclopedia
Centrepoint was a commune
in Albany, New Zealand
, created in 1977 by Herbert Thomas Potter ('Burt Potter') and 36 others. At its largest, the commune, created in the model of the therapeutic encounter groups popularised in the 1960s in California, was home to over 200 people.
On Anzac Day
1990, Potter was convicted of drug charges. In November 1992 Potter was sentenced to 7 years jail after being convicted of 13 charges of indecently assaulting five girls between 1979 and 1984. Justice Blanchard, said Potter had "systematically corrupted children for his own sexual pleasure and had abused the power and trust community members placed in him". On release Potter maintained he had done nothing wrong and that he still believed sex from the start of puberty
was appropriate. Six other male leaders (one of whom was Potter's son John) were convicted for assault on a minor, indecent assault, sexual assault on a minor or rape of a minor.
After Potter's fall from grace, the Kahikatea Eco-Village which had links to the commune and shared at least some members, occupied the site.
A study found showed that while not all of the approximately 300 children who lived at least part of their youth at the commune were abused, sexual relations with children as young as 10 had occurred with regularity, with parents either neglecting to protect their children from the assaults, or actively abetting them.
Potter's son John is married to Felicity Goodyear-Smith, who formerly lived at Centrepoint as the community's General Practitioner
, now a Professor at the University of Auckland
. In 1993 Goodyear-Smith published a book on what she saw as the child abuse industry. In 2005 Goodyear-Smith was one of the authors of an ACC
-funded paper suggesting that a formal diagnosis of mental injury should be required before victims of sexual assault are treated. The paper may have been a contributing factor to policy changes at ACC
which led to a significant drop in the number of sexual assault victims receiving state-funded sexual abuse counselling. ACC
Minister Nick Smith is said to be uneasy about the involvement of Goodyear-Smith.
and does not appear to have any links to the former commune. Wellpark bought the land from the Public Trust
which was appointed to manage Centrepoint's remaining assets for the good of the community. WellPark has approximately 200 students studying for NZQA recognised courses such as Diploma of Yoga and Diploma of Nutrition at the site.
Commune
Commune may refer to:In society:* Commune, a human community in which resources are shared* Commune , a township or municipality* One of the Communes of France* An Italian Comune...
in Albany, New Zealand
Albany, New Zealand
Albany is a northern suburb of Auckland, one of the several cities in northern New Zealand. The name derives from Alba and its Latinisation. It is located to the north of the Waitemata Harbour, 15 kilometres northwest of the Auckland city centre. The suburb is in the Albany ward, one of the...
, created in 1977 by Herbert Thomas Potter ('Burt Potter') and 36 others. At its largest, the commune, created in the model of the therapeutic encounter groups popularised in the 1960s in California, was home to over 200 people.
On Anzac Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
1990, Potter was convicted of drug charges. In November 1992 Potter was sentenced to 7 years jail after being convicted of 13 charges of indecently assaulting five girls between 1979 and 1984. Justice Blanchard, said Potter had "systematically corrupted children for his own sexual pleasure and had abused the power and trust community members placed in him". On release Potter maintained he had done nothing wrong and that he still believed sex from the start of puberty
Puberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, as initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads; the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy...
was appropriate. Six other male leaders (one of whom was Potter's son John) were convicted for assault on a minor, indecent assault, sexual assault on a minor or rape of a minor.
After Potter's fall from grace, the Kahikatea Eco-Village which had links to the commune and shared at least some members, occupied the site.
A study found showed that while not all of the approximately 300 children who lived at least part of their youth at the commune were abused, sexual relations with children as young as 10 had occurred with regularity, with parents either neglecting to protect their children from the assaults, or actively abetting them.
Potter's son John is married to Felicity Goodyear-Smith, who formerly lived at Centrepoint as the community's General Practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, now a Professor at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
. In 1993 Goodyear-Smith published a book on what she saw as the child abuse industry. In 2005 Goodyear-Smith was one of the authors of an ACC
Accident Compensation Corporation
The Accident Compensation Corporation is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the Accident Compensation Act 2001. The Act provides support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries....
-funded paper suggesting that a formal diagnosis of mental injury should be required before victims of sexual assault are treated. The paper may have been a contributing factor to policy changes at ACC
Accident Compensation Corporation
The Accident Compensation Corporation is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the Accident Compensation Act 2001. The Act provides support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries....
which led to a significant drop in the number of sexual assault victims receiving state-funded sexual abuse counselling. ACC
Accident Compensation Corporation
The Accident Compensation Corporation is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the Accident Compensation Act 2001. The Act provides support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries....
Minister Nick Smith is said to be uneasy about the involvement of Goodyear-Smith.
Current use of the site
The site of the former commune was later sold and Wellpark College of Natural Therapies opened in 2008. The college is registered with New Zealand Qualifications AuthorityNew Zealand Qualifications Authority
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is the New Zealand government crown entity tasked with providing leadership in assessment and qualifications....
and does not appear to have any links to the former commune. Wellpark bought the land from the Public Trust
Public Trustee (New Zealand)
The Public Trustee of New Zealand was a government appointed corporation sole providing Trustee services to those unwilling to use private services, or required by the courts or legislation to use the Public Trustee...
which was appointed to manage Centrepoint's remaining assets for the good of the community. WellPark has approximately 200 students studying for NZQA recognised courses such as Diploma of Yoga and Diploma of Nutrition at the site.