[Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia] The Anglican Church has acknowledged the work of Bishop John Paterson with a title that it believes is deserving and overdue.

Bishop Paterson’s leadership of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, as well internationally in the Anglican Communion, has been recognized with the conferring on him of the title: ‘Archbishop Emeritus’.

Archbishops Philip Richardson and Brown Turei announced the decision at the opening service of the Synod of the Diocese of Auckland, which is being held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. The General Synod Standing Committee, effectively the ruling body of the church, made the decision. 

Archbishop Philip Richardson says "I am so pleased that we have been able to recognise the extraordinary contribution of Archbishop John Paterson in this way. He continues to support the life of the Church with grace and humility.”  

Archbishop John Paterson has held a wide range of leadership positions within both the national and international church. He was Bishop of Auckland from 1995 to 2009. In 1998 he was chosen as leader of the church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, known as the Presiding Bishop and Primate, and he continued in that role until 2004 when he retired.

In the worldwide Anglican Communion he was elected Vice-Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), the body that facilitates the work of the Anglican Communion across the world. He then chaired that Council from 2002 until 2008.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has added his congratulations. “The title acknowledges the global ministry of Archbishop John and his work in the Anglican Communion through some very tumultuous years. We benefitted from his wisdom and his experience in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia where three different cultures and traditions could come to live together in the Body of Christ.” 

During Archbishop John’s time in ministry the Church in New Zealand chose not to use the title Archbishop. The policy was then later changed.