The Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, the Rt Rev George Connor (67) has announced he will retire on St Andrew's Day - November 30.
Installed as the eighth Bishop of Dunedin in April 2005, Bishop Connor informed the diocese earlier this month he would retire that day - marking 44 years since his ordination.
The announcement was timed give the diocese enough time to appoint a new bishop, he said.
After decades working as a vicar in the Bay of Plenty he was ordained in 1989 in the Diocese of Waiapu, served as assistant and then regional bishop there until April 2005, when he replaced Bishop Penny Jamieson, in Dunedin.
Bishop Connor said he hoped to be remembered as a bishop who brought "a caring consistency" to his role.
He planned to retire to Waiheke Island with his wife Nonie.
