Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand

Dioecesis Hamiltonensis in Nova Zelandia

Bishop(s)

Richard Philip James Laurenson, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 6 March 1980
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Wellington
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: New Zealand
Square Kilometers: 49,700 (19,196 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: https://www.cdh.org.nz
Mailing Address: 51 Grey St., Hamilton 3216; P.O. Box 4353, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3247, New Zealand
Telephone: (07)856-6989
Fax: 856-1215

Past and Present Ordinaries

Edward Russell Gaines † (6 Mar 1980 Appointed - 6 Sep 1994 Died)
Denis George Browne † (19 Dec 1994 Appointed - 22 Nov 2014 Retired)
Stephen Marmion Lowe (22 Nov 2014 Appointed - 17 Dec 2021 Appointed, Bishop of Auckland)
Richard Philip James Laurenson (25 Oct 2023 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
6 March 1980	Erected	Diocese of Auckland (Raglan, Waipa, Otorohanga, Taumarunui, Otinemuri, Piako, Matamata, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Opotiki, Waiapu, Waikohu, Cook, and part of Waikato)	Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1990 78,000 519,000 15.0% 37 13 50 1,560 19 79 39 ap1991

1999 53,000 530,000 10.0% 48 6 54 981 2 12 60 38 ap2000

2000 52,083 520,000 10.0% 47 4 51 1,021 2 10 52 39 ap2001

2001 38,500 520,000 7.4% 34 6 40 962 2 13 57 38 ap2002

2002 46,375 615,986 7.5% 36 15 51 909 2 16 59 36 ap2003

2003 46,069 601,608 7.7% 37 15 52 885 2 23 53 36 ap2004

2004 39,600 601,608 6.6% 36 15 51 776 7 22 56 36 ap2005

2006 89,600 640,000 14.0% 33 16 49 1,828 12 23 59 37 ap2007

2013 96,500 678,000 14.2% 32 17 49 1,969 19 23 50 36 ap2014

2016 67,455 671,050 10.1% 34 4 38 1,775 20 7 48 35 ap2017

2019 70,230 698,730 10.1% 29 7 36 1,950 24 9 36 34 ap2020

2021 64,539 764,376 8.4% 27 8 35 1,843 23 8 30 33 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1990	78,000	519,000	15.0%	37	13	50	1,560		19	79	39	ap1991
1999	53,000	530,000	10.0%	48	6	54	981	2	12	60	38	ap2000
2000	52,083	520,000	10.0%	47	4	51	1,021	2	10	52	39	ap2001
2001	38,500	520,000	7.4%	34	6	40	962	2	13	57	38	ap2002
2002	46,375	615,986	7.5%	36	15	51	909	2	16	59	36	ap2003
2003	46,069	601,608	7.7%	37	15	52	885	2	23	53	36	ap2004
2004	39,600	601,608	6.6%	36	15	51	776	7	22	56	36	ap2005
2006	89,600	640,000	14.0%	33	16	49	1,828	12	23	59	37	ap2007
2013	96,500	678,000	14.2%	32	17	49	1,969	19	23	50	36	ap2014
2016	67,455	671,050	10.1%	34	4	38	1,775	20	7	48	35	ap2017
2019	70,230	698,730	10.1%	29	7	36	1,950	24	9	36	34	ap2020
2021	64,539	764,376	8.4%	27	8	35	1,843	23	8	30	33	ap2022