A cult-like church that is accused by ex-members of controlling its adherents' lives, has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power.
The Exclusive Brethren - now rebranded the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church - says it does not own, operate or hold any commercial business interests itself, but members run their own "family businesses".
Many leading New Zealand companies are lining up to join the list of preferred suppliers to what former members describe as a captive market.
Ruth Hill has collaborated with investigative journalist Nicky Hager on this report.
