Bishop Robin Leamy was born in Wellington and was educated by the Brigidine Sisters and later by the Marist Fathers at St Patrick’s College in Silverstream. After Leaving school, he studied at Canterbury University where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in history and Classical Studies.

He studied for the Priesthood at the Marist Seminary in Greenmeadows and was ordained in 1958. After sixteen years in Samoa, he was elected to Provincial of the Society of Mary for the Pacific region, based in Fiji.

He was appointed Bishop of the Cooks and Niue in 1983, before returning to New Zealand in 1997 where he is now Bishop Assistant and Vicar General in the Diocese of Auckland.  He is also Episcopal Deputy for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Canon Law Commission, Mahitahi Catholic Overseas Volunteers, the Commission for Mission and as a Conference representative on the Executive of the Mixed Commission.