The Archives of the Catholic Church in New Zealand since the inception of the mission with the appointment as Vicar Apostolic of Western Oceania of J. B. F Pompallier in 1836; Apostolic Administrator of Auckland 1848; Bishop in 1860. By then the diocese consisted of the Auckland province only.

The Diocesan Archive is constituted under Canon Law and is responsible for ensuring that all records generated by the Bishop and his administration, as well as those of his predecessors, are preserved, boxed and listed.  Every diocese is obliged by Canon Law and by the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, to create and maintain an archive.

This is to ensure that all records generated by the Bishop and his administration, as well as those of his predecessors, are “preserved [boxed and listed], transmitted, renewed and appreciated because they represent the most direct connection with the heritage of the Church Community.