‘Worst six months of my life’

AWhanga¯ rei addiction treatment programme advertised itself as ‘‘the best rehabilitation programme’’ in New Zealand. But a Hutt Valley man said the rehab involved only hours and hours of chopping firewood.

After more than five months on the Victory House course, Clint Holmes decided he would rather risk ending up in jail than continue. Another former resident said there was ‘‘zero clinical rehabilitation’’. Yet another said it was a firewood business for men trying to get out of jail.

Just five people have graduated in the 31⁄2 years

Victory House has been running, although the centre doesn’t disclose how many have enrolled for the course, which takes at least 12 months.

The Department of Corrections has found new accommodation for men who were concerned about their safety, and advised local courts that the course had not been assessed and might not be suitable for bail or release.

Victory House is promoted as a faith and activity-based addiction recovery programme, modelled on an Australian one of the same name. The Whanga¯ rei programme was started by Chris Nahi, a reformed drug addict and former National Rugby League player, who attended Victory House on the Gold Coast, run by his brother and sister-in-law, Vibe Church pastors David and Louise Nahi.

Chris Nahi, 48, started using drugs while playing rugby league professionally in Australia, and ended up in prison. After he returned to New Zealand in 2017, he started a programme here and was now house supervisor. It has space for eight residents.

Victory House is a not-forprofit, with strong links to Arise church, the controversial religious organisation accused of ‘‘cult-like behaviour’’, racism, sexual assault and conversion therapy, which received nearly $15m in donations last year.

However, none of the former residents Stuff spoke to complained about the church, although they were curious about the connection and how