AFTER 14 years leading the diocese The Right Reverend Dr Thomas Brown, the 10th bishop of Wellington, retires at the end of this year. He says being Bishop of Wellington has been pretty amazing and busy too. He’s overseen100 churches in 60 odd parishes stretching from Wellington to Wanganui, the National Park, Palmerston North and the Wairarapa. In the diocese there are also 14 church-related schools, as well the Wellington City Mission, and hospital, military, prison and university chaplaincies. There are 150 licenced clergy and 300 lay ministers plus many volunteers in a vast range of activities.
Retirement will mean, he hopes, a more relaxed lifestyle with more time for golf and fly fishing.
Best place for breakfast … Caffe L’affare.
Best place for lunch … Maranui Café.
Best place for dinner … The Foxglove.
Another good coffee stop … Mojo’s anywhere.
Favourite walk in Wellington … around the harbour – its fantastic.
Best fishing spot …  I fly fish so it’s the Tauranga-Taupo R.
Favourite activity in Wellington …  a walk along the Golden Mile, or around the harbour.
Best Day trip out of Wellington … to Paraparaumu Beach to walk the beach.
A must do … visit Te Papa.
Must-buy Gift …  Kirkcaldies Gift vouchers.
Unusual fact about Wellington … about 60,000 people travel into the heart of the city for work each day – that’s awesome.
Best wet weather activity … a swim at Freyberg Pool.
Best sunny activity …  Cycle the habour route.
What visitors should know … that despite its windy image Wellington has lots of lovely calm days.
This Christmas you’ll find us …  walking the harbour edge or we’ll being having coffee you-know-where
What I’ll miss when I retire …  is the vibrancy and variety of the role of Bishop – it is a privileged position in which to serve.