New Zealand Cathedrals

New Zealand has over a dozen cathedrals in its major cities. Here are some of the most striking.

St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin

Consecrated in 1919, St Paul's is made entirely of Oamaru stone. Its vaulted ceiling is the only one of its kind in the country. The stained glass windows of this impressive Anglican church are some of the finest in New Zealand.

St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin

St Joseph's is the Roman Catholic cathedral in City Rise, Dunedin. Constructed in the late 19th century, the magnificent church was designed by Francis Petre, a local architect and prolific builder of churches in New Zealand.

St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland

St Patrick's is a Catholic cathedral on Wyndham Street in the Auckland CBD close to Sky Tower. The present church dates from 1907 replacing a church from the late 19th century. The church became a cathedral in 1848 and was consecrated in 1963.

Christchurch Basilica, Christchurch

Christchurch Basilica (Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament) was the Catholic cathedral in the city of Christchurch. It was heavily damaged in the 2010 earthquake and demolished. It will be replaced by a new church due to open in 2025. The beautiful, original building was designed by Francis Petre, who was also responsible for St Joseph's in Dunedin and several other fine religious buildings in New Zealand.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North dates from 1935 and became a cathedral in 1980. The Gothic Revival design is by architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere. The superb stained glass windows are the work of the renowned German artist, Franz Xaver Zettler.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Mary His Mother, aka Sacred Heart Cathedral lies close to the New Zealand Parliament building in Wellington. The Palladian style design is rendered in Oamaru limestone with brick facings and the Roman Catholic church is again the work of Francis Petre.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland

The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Auckland is a 20th-century structure completed in 1965. The grounds include St Mary's Church, the former wooden 19th-century cathedral church. The 1960s cathedral is known for its superb stained glass including a Polynesian Christ and South Pacific motifs. The church can hold 1,250 worshippers.

Cardboard Cathedral, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban

ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch

ChristChurch Cathedral, aka Christ Church Cathedral in Christchurch, was destroyed by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in the city. It was replaced temporarily as the city's Anglican cathedral by the so-called Cardboard Cathedral (2013), designed by Japanese "disaster" architect Shigeru Ban until a new church is built.

Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson

Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson opened in 1965, after initial work started in the 1920s. The impressive church is constructed from marble mixed with plaster which gives the building its distinctive colour. The church can accommodate 350 people. The tower is a local landmark and is 35 metres tall.

Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Wellington Cathedral of St Paul aka St Paul's Cathedral or Wellington Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral in the capital. Designed in the 1930s by architect Cecil Wood (1878-1947) building began in 1954, with the monumental church in reinforced concrete finally finished in 1998. It is the largest church in Wellington measuring 88 metres in length. Highlights include stained glass by Brian Thomas, the British artist responsible for several pieces in Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral in London. John Hutton's glass figures of angels are also superb as is the Holm Window by fellow New Zealand artist Beverley Shore Bennett.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, New Zealand

Cathedrals in Britain

Hotels in New Zealand

Some recommended places to stay in Dunedin include the Victoria Hotel Dunedin, the Kingsgate Hotel, and the Law Courts Hotel.

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New Zealand Cathedrals