The Bishop of Taranaki, Archbishop Philip Richardson and the Bishop of Waikato, Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley are delighted to announce the appointment of the Reverend Peter Beck as Dean of Taranaki Cathedral to succeed the current Dean, the Very Reverend Jamie Allen who resigned recently.

In announcing the appointment Archbishop Philip said that he could "think of no one better qualified, or with more relevant experience, to lead the people of St Mary’s over the next period of time. Peter is well placed to lead the people of St Mary’s as they face the challenges of ministry in the heart of the City of New Plymouth, while also addressing the urgent need to fix the earthquake prone building so that it can again be available to the whole community”.

Peter was, until early 2012, Dean of Christchurch Cathedral where he had served with distinction for some nine years. Prior to that he served in team ministries in the United Kingdom and within the Diocese of Auckland. His time in Auckland included two very significant ministries at St Luke’s Mt Albert and St Matthews in the City. While at St Matthews Peter was involved in a major restoration of that classic stone Church. He has developed a well deserved reputation for community engagement and leadership, including serving a term as a city councillor in Christchurch seeking particularly to be a voice and an advocate for the eastern suburbs of the city.

It is hoped that the Reverend Peter Beck will commence his ministry in mid April 2016

Philip Richardson

Bishop of Taranaki

Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki

Archbishop