Centrepoint was a
commune in
Albany, New Zealand, founded in 1977 by
Herbert "Bert" Thomas Potter.
[1][2] The commune reached a maximum population of 275. Centrepoint has been described as a
cult, and was the site of widespread ***ual coercion and child ***ual abuse.
[3][4][5]
In 1992, Potter was sentenced to a seven year prison sentence after being convicted of 13 charges of indecently assaulting five girls between 1979 and 1984. Justice Blanchard said that Potter had "systematically corrupted children for his own ***ual pleasure and had abused the power and trust community members placed in him".
[6] Potter returned to Centrepoint on his release in March 1999, and left a year later after being paid to do so by commune members.
[3] The commune was disestablished by court order on March 2000.
[7]