First, there was David Moxon, the agnostic Massey University sociology tutor.  

Who, much to his surprise, became the Rev David Moxon.

Who became Bishop David Moxon. Who turned into Archbishop David Moxon – who duly became Archbishop Sir David Moxon.

And yesterday, life for the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See turned full circle.

Because he was back in Palmerston North to receive an honorary doctorate from Massey University.

Archbishop Sir David was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature during the Massey University College of Humanities and Sciences graduation ceremony at The Regent theatre on Broadway.

The former Freyberg High School head boy flew in to Palmerston North from Rome on Tuesday for the ceremony, and Sir Anand Satyanand – former Governor General and head of the Ma Whea Commission – gave the oration.

Archbishop David, who is the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See, and Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, completed a Masters’ degree in education and sociology with Honours at Massey in 1976.

Archbishop David later told the Manawatu Evening Standard that he was “very humbled and surprised” to be awarded the honorary doctorate.

“I hadn't thought they would've remembered me.”

He spoke at the ceremony, and thanked the University for their honor.

He said he had “an inward suspicion that it is unearned.

“But you”, he said – gesturing to three others about to be awarded doctorates – “unlike me, have actually worked for your degree and deserve high praise on this triumphant day."

Archbishop David chose not to offer advice to the graduates, but encouraged them to use their education to help benefit others and the wider community “not just to benefit their own career.

“I learnt long ago that advice is never useful until it has been tested by experience, and once you have the experience you don't need the advice.”

Archbishop David grew up in Palmerston North, and became head boy at Freyberg High School.

Nowadays, he divides his time between his home in Hamilton and Rome. He took up his role as the Anglican Communion’s ambassador to the Vatican in 2013.

In 2014 he was honoured in the New Year's Honours list as Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.