Office of the Archbishop

• Born in Hastings 5 May 1967

• Attended primary school at St Joseph’s Hastings and secondary school at St John’s College, Hastings

• In 1985 he entered formation for the Society of Mary.

• In 1991 he spent time working in an Aboriginal Community in the Northern Territory, Australia

• Ordained deacon: 15 November 1992

• Ordained priest: 4 September 1993

• In 1993 he completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University of Rome and studied to become a teacher.

• Archbishop Paul was in teaching roles for 18 years, including at St Bede’s College, Christchurch and as Rector of St Patrick’s College, Wellington .

• In 2014 Archbishop Paul was Assistant Provincial and Provincial Bursar for the Society of Mary, before taking up the position of Bursar General in Rome.

• He was appointed Bishop of Christchurch on 5 December 2017, and ordained Bishop on 3 March 2018.

• He was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch on 1 January 2021.
• Succeeded Cardinal John Dew as Archbishop of Wellington on 5 May 2023.

Motto and Coat of Arms

The Marian symbol (monogram) on the blue sky represents Mary and reflects the call of Mary to Archbishop Martin to be a member of the Society of Mary which uses the Marian monogram in this form. The gold base depicts the lamb holding the crook and represents the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep and seeks out the lost.

On a scroll below the shield is Archbishop Martin’s motto: Rejoice in the Lord always. (Philippians 4:4), which echoes the response of Mary in the Magnificat when she exclaimed, “my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”  

Archbishop Emeritus

Cardinal John Atcherley Dew DD

Biography

• Born in Waipawa, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand – 5 May 1948
• Educated at St Joseph’s Primary school, Waipukurau; St Joseph’s (now Chanel) College, Masterton; Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (Philosophy); Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (Theology)
• Ordained Priest at Waipukurau, New Zealand by Cardinal Reginald Delargey in May 1976
• Appointments held as priest of the Archdicoese of Wellington:
  • St Joseph’s Parish, Upper Hutt 1976 – 1979;
  • Diocese of Rarotonga, Rarotonga 1980 – 1982;
  • Archdiocesan Youth Ministry 1983 – 1987;
  • Cook Islands Māori Community 1983 – 1987;
  • Holy Cross College, Mosgiel 1988 – 1991;
  • Study in Spirituality, Institute of St Anselm, Kent, UK 1991 – 1992;
• St Anne’s Parish, Newtown 1993 – 1995
• Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Wellington and Titular Bishop of Privata 31 May 1995
• Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington 24 May 2004
• Succeeded Cardinal T S Williams as Archbishop of Wellington 21 March 2005
• Elevated to Cardinal 14 February 2015, and appointed Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Ippolito Church, Rome.
• Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Palmerston North on 4 October 2019.
• Previously President, New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• Retired as Archbishop of Wellington on 5 May 2023.

Motto and Coat of Arms

When appointed Auxiliary Bishop in 1995, then Bishop John chose as his motto “Peace through Integrity” Baruch (5:4).  This scripture quote appears on his current Coat of Arms with the traditional colours and symbols of a Cardinal, the Metropolitan Cross, a shepherd’s staff (pastoral staff) and the symbols for ALPHA and OMEGA imposed over an open book of the scriptures.

Cardinal Thomas S Williams ONZ DD

Biography

• Born in Wellington, 20 March 1930. Died 22 December 2023.
• Educated at Holy Cross Primary School, Miramar; SS Peter and Paul School, Lower Hutt; St Patrick’s College, Wellington; St Kevin’s College, Oamaru; Holy Cross Seminary, Mosgiel; Pontifical College, ‘De Propaganda Fide’, Rome (Theology)
• Ordained in Rome, 20 December 1959
• Appointments held since ordination: University College, Dublin (Social Sciences Degree) 1961 – 1962; St. Patrick’s, Palmerston North 1963 – 1965; Director of Catholic Enquiry Centre, Wellington 1966 – 1970; Leulumoega, Western Samoa 1971 – 1975; Holy Family Parish, Porirua East 1976
• Ordained Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Wellington in St Mary of the Angels Church, Wellington, on 20 December 1979
• Created Cardinal in Rome on 3 February 1983

• Awarded the Order of New Zealand 5 June 2000
• Moderator, Tribunal of the Catholic Church for New Zealand.
• Episcopal Deputy for: Finance Committee; prison chaplaincy; New Zealand Catholic Education Office; Catholic Enquiry Centre
• Retired as Archbishop of Wellington 20 March 2005.