History Of Anglican Church in New Zealand
The first Christian church service in New Zealand was held on Christmas Day 1814 at Oihi, Rangihoua Bay, Bay of Islands. The Revd Samuel Marsden's sermon was translated by Ruatara, who had been befriended and cared for by Marsden in earlier years. Marsden came to New Zealand at the prompting of the Christian Missionary Society. The site has been marked with a Celtic cross, of the type favoured by Marsden, since 1907.
The Reverends Henry and William Williams arrived in 1823 and 1826 respectively, as missionaries with the Christian Missionary Society, establishing their base in the Bay of Islands. Eight hundred of their descendants gathered from all over the world in April 1998 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of Henry. The Mission building still stands, close to the oldest church in New Zealand, Christ Church, Russell. Both are listed historic buildings.
William Williams translated the New Testament into Māori, and later became the first Bishop of Waiapu (1859). Dr. Robert Maunsell completed translation of the Old Testament in 1847.
George Augustus Selwyn arrived as Bishop of New Zealand in 1841 and established the Church in New Zealand. By his efforts the Constitution of the Church of the Province of New Zealand was signed in St Stephen's Chapel, Judges Bay, Auckland, on 13 June 1857 . In 1856 he became Metropolitan (Primate) when he created the Diocese of Christchurch, followed in 1858-9 by the Dioceses of Wellington, Nelson and Waiapu. Dunedin followed in 1863.
John Coleridge Patteson was created Bishop of Melanesia in 1861, and was killed 10 years later, having developed upon Bishop Selwyn's earlier ministry into the region.
In 1926 Bishop Averill divided the Auckland Diocese to create the Diocese of Waikato, based in Hamilton. He also supported the formation of the Māori Bishopric of Aotearoa*, and changes to the constitution to enable full autonomy for the Church in New Zealand.
From 1925 the Bishop of Aotearoa (Te Pihopa O Aotearoa) was Suffragan to the Bishop of Waiapu, but without direct representation at General Synod. Polynesia was an associated missionary diocese of the Province of New Zealand. The first Māori Electoral Synod was held in 1980, but the major changes required to create a truly representative church were still 12 years away. By this time the Church of the Province of New Zealand was made up of the seven original dioceses, together with the Dioceses of Aotearoa and Polynesia, all reporting to General Synod.
The Right Reverend Paul Reeves (later, Sir Paul), became the first Māori Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand in 1980, holding the post until 1985 when he was appointed Governor-General of New Zealand.
John Campbell Paterson, former Bishop of Auckland, was installed Primate of New Zealand and Presiding Bishop on 15 May 1998. The title of Archbishop of New Zealand has since been discontinued.