A family of 11 have left Gloriavale for Timaru because of the secluded community's new leadership.
Newshub understands nine children aged between 15 months and 16 years old along with their parents have left the West Coast religious community.
Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian died age 92 in May, sparking a battle for control within the community.
Together Howard Temple and Fervent Steadfast have been effectively running the community since Mr Christian’s death.
- Gloriavale leaders in 'battle for control' after Hopeful Christian's death
- John Ready's struggle without his family after Gloriavale expulsion
- The new document asking Gloriavale followers to sign away their souls
Sources told Newshub the family left because they were not happy with the new leadership.
The father has secured a job but the family is struggling to find a home to rent because landlords don't want that number of children in a property, Newshub understands.
Timaru woman Liz Gregory, who is coordinating the effort to clothe and re-home the family, made an appeal on Facebook for people to donate items.
The family are looking for an 11-seater van (or donations for one), a car seat for a one to three-year-old, and children's board games, the Facebook post reads.
When a house has been secured a call for furniture will be put out, the post says.
A Givealittle page has been set up to raise money for the van, the children's school costs and any appropriate rental property.
The parents were born and raised in Gloriavale and haven't known life on the outside, the page reads.
"Securing and setting up a house can be an expensive exercise, and we are hoping to alleviate any financial stress during this uncertain time."
The names of the family are being kept private.
The family's move comes only two weeks after two men were kicked out of Gloriavale for using "contraband" - a mobile phone.
Former Gloriavale members previously told Newshub smuggling in cell phones was a key tool for encouraging others to leave.
One of the men, 34, who left his wife with seven children and baby inside, was caught with a mobile phone three times.
A second man was also accused of using the contraband phone and kicked out. He's in his early 20s and has a wife and two children, also including a baby, left inside.
Ms Gregory has been contacted for comment by Newshub.
Newshub.
