The Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington spans the Wellington Region and the lower South Island and is blessed with a rich diversity of cultures and communities. The Catholic story in Aotearoa New Zealand has been shaped by many waves of migration, beginning with French missionaries, followed by Irish settlers who built many of our early parishes and schools.

Over the years, new communities have continued to arrive and contribute to the life of the Church. Pacific peoples, especially Samoans, have become a strong presence, followed by growing Asian communities, particularly Filipinos. Today, more Catholic migrants from around the world are making Wellington their home.

A Community of Many Cultures

We celebrate diversity as a gift that strengthens our faith, our worship, and our mission.

On any given Sunday, our parish communities reflect the global nature of the Church. The people in our pews come from many cultural backgrounds, including:

  • Filipino
  • Samoan
  • Indian
  • Dutch
  • Italian
  • Polish
  • African
  • Latin American
  • Burmese
  • Kiribati
  • Fijian
  • Tokelauan
  • Cook Islands
  • Tongan
  • Indonesian
  • Korean
  • Vietnamese
  • …and many more ethnic communities

New to Wellington? We’re Here to Welcome You

If you newly arrived and looking for a Catholic community to connect with, whether for worship, friendship, cultural support, or pastoral care, we would be delighted to help you find your place.

Contact: 
Maya Bernardo
Coordinator for Migrant Ministry
m.bernardo@cadw.nz

Archdiocesan Migrant Advisory Group

The Archdiocesan Migrant Advisory Group (MAG) was established to support the work of migrant ministries, and to serve as a resource for the various ministries and agencies of the Archdiocese of Wellington.

These five individuals have been carefully selected and appointed by Archbishop Paul Martin SM for their mana, their leadership within their cultural communities, and their active involvement in parish life. They have undergone meaningful formation and have demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive Church.

They were commissioned by Archbishop Paul Martin, SM on 14 September 2025 during the Mass for the Jubilee for Migrants. The members are: Telesia Alaimoana, Randy Reyes, Dr Ruvimbo Bangure, Fr Thomas Rouse, SSC and Christine Philippo.