Thursday July 18th

This morning the Diocesan Centre had a visit from the Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Peter Ryan.

Mr Ryan has been meeting various communities within NZ, and today joined us for morning tea.

He expressed a great fondness for New Zealand, saying that despite being twenty thousand kilometres from home, he's been made to feel at home whilst being in our country.

"Mine is the best job in the world," he said, claiming he felt "deeply honoured" to be in his role.

Mr Ryan had specifically asked to meet any local Irish priests, and had a great chat to Fr Joe O'Sullivan, a retired priest of the Diocese who came to NZ from Ireland in the late 1950s, and who celebrated his 60th jubilee in 2017.

Other Diocesan staff enjoyed sharing their stories with the ambassador, and finding links to their Irish ancestors.

Mr Ryan is Ireland’s first resident ambassador in New Zealand. This is also the first time the Diocesan Centre has had a resident ambassador visit. ... See MoreSee Less