Richard Laurenson

Richard Philip James Laurenson (born 4 July 1968) is a New Zealand priest of the Catholic Church who has served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton since 8 December 2023. Prior to his appointment as bishop, he served as a parish pastor and canon lawyer for the diocese.

Biography Laurenson was born on 4 July 1968 in Hamilton, and attended Holy Cross Major Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Hamilton on 12 July 1995. Following his ordination he served as vicar at St. Mary in Rotorua as well as a chaplain to peacekeeping forces in the Bougainville conflict. He earned his licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in 2010, and served as diocesan administrator following the resignation of Denis Browne. He also was the only Catholic chaplain serving the New Zealand Reserve Force on the North Island.

At the time of his appointment as bishop, Laurenson was serving as diocesan chancellor as well as pastor of All Saints By the Sea at Papamoa.

He was consecrated bishop on December 8, 2023, in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary by bishop Stephen Lowe of Auckland.