An Anglican Archbishop who also served as New Zealand’s first Maori Governor-General, has died. He was 78. Sir Paul Reeves was the Primate of New Zealand in the early eighties and then was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to serve as Governor General of New Zealand where he was able to build unique bridges between the various cultures of that nation.
“Plans are already underway for a State Funeral to honour Sir Paul’s lifetime of work for New Zealand.
In a statement this morning, Sir Paul’s family acknowledged they were “very aware of the immense grief and loss felt by Maori, the church and the wider community, and there will be time and opportunity for people to pay their respects in the days to come.”
He became a deacon in the Anglican Church in 1958, a priest in 1960 and was made the Bishop of Waiapu in 1971, Bishop of Auckland in 1979 and Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand in 1980.
His rise through the ranks culminated in his becoming Archbishop of New Zealand from 1980 to 1985.”
More here. Do read on for a description of a remarkable, historic career of service to his country, to the Commonwealth, and to God.