In March 1926, Campbell West-Watson, accompanied by his wife and five children, arrived in New Zealand as Bishop of Christchurch. He was invited to the See after the Christchurch Synod had appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a possible nominee.

West-Watson was a good choice. At 49 he was still a relatively young man and had been a bishop in England for over 16 years, in the large and geographically dispersed Carlisle diocese. His appointment there at the surprisingly young age of 32 had led to a public chorus of disapproval – he was believed to be too young and lacking in parish experience, resulting in his being referred to as a ‘Boy Bishop’. But his hard work and dedication led to his developing a fine reputation as a caring and committed bishop.

He had served in France and Germany as a chaplain during World War I. He was specially interested in church unity and as a result of his willingness to work closely with other denominations, he became known throughout his diocese in the north of England, even in non-Anglican circles, as ‘Our Bishop’.

West-Watson’s wife, Mabel, was a constant source of support and encouragement. She became prominent as leader of the Mothers’ Union in New Zealand. Soon after their arrival here, they travelled together to South Westland, the most remote part of the diocese. Much of the journey was on horseback. Mabel died in 1936 after a long illness and West-Watson was deeply affected by her loss.

In 1940, West-Watson’s brother bishops elected him as Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand. His continuing commitment to church unity led him to play a pivotal role in the formation in 1941 of the National Council of Churches in New Zealand. He then led its first major activity, the country-wide Campaign for Christian Order. As Archbishop, West-Watson encouraged the New Zealand Anglican Church to look outside its own borders to a role in the Pacific region.

He travelled to Japan in 1947 to attend the first post-war Synod of the Japanese Episcopal Church. During that visit, he was asked by the New Zealand government to report on the welfare of the New Zealand troops who were part of J-Force. He also arranged for a Japanese Anglican student, John Akiyama, to study theology in New Zealand. For West-Watson this was the start of reconciliation between two recent, bitter enemies.

While in England in 1948 attending the Lambeth Conference he invited Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to share in the 1950 Christchurch centennial celebrations. Fisher led a service in Cathedral Square in December 1950 – the largest religious service ever held in New Zealand.

West-Watson retired in 1951 as the longest serving bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.This book explores West- Watson’s life from his school days in the north of England until his death in New Zealand in 1953.