THE next Archdeacon of Canterbury will be a dean from New Zealand, the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore.

Dean Kelly-Moore’s appointment was announced on Sunday by the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Trevor Willmott.

She has been Dean of Auckland since 2010, overseeing an £8-million project to finish and consecrate Holy Trinity Cathedral. Previously, she was a priest in Auckland and a school chaplain.

Her husband, Paul, who currently works as the pastoral care adviser for Auckland Cathedral, is British. He first met Dean Kelly-Moore while on holiday in New Zealand.

“It is a great privilege to be appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury, part of the wider story that is the mission and ministry of the Anglican Communion,” she said. “Back in 1842, Bishop Selwyn arrived here in Aotearoa New Zealand from England, and the next year bought the land for the cathedral in which I have been Dean.

“While there is great sadness in leaving Aotearoa New Zealand, I am very much looking forward to ministering with the people of Canterbury and making it our family’s home.”

Bishop Willmott said that Dean Kelly-Moore’s experience and gifts would benefit not only Canterbury archdeaconry, but also the whole diocese.

“We have found in Jo an excellent and astute theologian with wide-ranging leadership and management skills. I would like to assure Jo and her family of the prayers and support of the whole diocese as they embark on this new adventure.”

She is due to take up her new position in January. The Archdeacon of Canterbury traditionally represents the Archbishop at bishops’ enthronements.