Archbishop
Paul Martin SM
Our current Archbishop is Paul Martin SM. Born in 1967 Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay (where he also went to school), he entered formation for the Society of Mary in 1985.
Spending time working in an Aboriginal Community in Australia’s Northern Territory, he was ordained a deacon in November, 1992, and ordained as a priest in September, 1993.
In 1993 he also completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University of Rome, and studied to become a teacher. He then held teaching roles for 18 years, including as Rector of St Patrick’s College in Wellington.
In 2014 Archbishop Paul was named Assistant Provincial and Provincial Bursar for the Society of Mary, before taking up the position of Bursar General in Rome.
He later returned to Aotearoa New Zealand, and was appointed Bishop of Christchurch on 5 December, 2017, and ordained as Bishop on 3 March, 2018.
The then-Bishop Paul was appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch on 1 January, 2021. He succeeded Cardinal John Dew as Archbishop of Wellington on 5 May, 2023. He remains Archbishop today.
Archbishop Paul’s Motto and Coat of Arms
The Marian symbol (monogram) on the blue sky represents Mary and reflects the call of Mary to Archbishop Paul 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 Paul’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 Dew DD
Cardinal John Dew was born in Waipawa, in the Hawke’s Bay, in 1948.
Educated at St Joseph’s Primary school in Waipukurau, St Joseph’s (now Chanel) College in Masterton, and Holy Name Seminary in Christchurch (Philosophy) and Holy Cross College in Mosgiel (Theology), he was ordained as a priest by Cardinal Reginald Delargey in May, 1976.
He then was a priest at parishes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and the Cook Islands, including St Joseph’s Parish in Upper Hutt (1976 – 1979), the Diocese of Rarotonga in Rarotonga (1980 – 1982), Archdiocesan Youth Ministry (1983 – 1987) and Cook Islands Māori Community (1983 – 1987), Holy Cross College in Mosgiel (1988 – 1991). He undertook studies in Spirituality at the Institute of St Anselm in Kent, UK (1991 – 1992), and served at St Anne’s Parish in Newtown (1993 – 1995).
Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Wellington and Titular Bishop of Privata in May, 1995, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington 24 May, 2004.
On 21 March, 2005, he succeeded Cardinal T S Williams as Archbishop of Wellington.
Then-Archbishop John was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis on 14 February, 2015, and appointed Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Ippolito Church in Rome.
Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Palmerston North on 4 October, 2019, Cardinal John also served as President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.
He retired as Archbishop of Wellington on 5 May, 2023, and was succeeded by Paul Martin SM.
In 2025, Cardinal John took part in the Conclave in Rome that elected Robert Prevost as Pope (who became Pope Leo XIV).
Cardinal John’s 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.
