There is a Māori whakataukī (saying or proverb): Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tāne (“A totara has fallen in the forest” – this expresses deep sadness at the death of a highly respected, important, and influential person, someone akin to the significant totara tree, a person of great mana and impact).
Bishop Brian Carrell died on Sunday, August 31, 2025. He was the husband (for 66 years) of May, father and father-in-law of Peter and Teresa, Martin and Greta, Benjamin and Lynda, Anne-Marie and Brent, and Amanda. He was the grandfather of 16 and great-grandfather of 10.
His contribution to the life of our church and nation, especially his contribution (within the context of this site) to our liturgical life, from an Evangelical perspective with deep integrity, is inestimable. Brian was a member of the Prayer Book Commission from close to its inception in 1964 until its conclusion in 1989 when A New Zealand Prayer Book – He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa was published.
I remember many delightful times with Brian, from interviewing him for my thesis, being part of services and confirmations led by him, and general conversations over many, many years. From a liturgical perspective, his composing of An Alternative Great Thanksgiving – Celebrating the Grace of God, and his writing of a history of the creation of our 1989 Prayer Book (Creating A New Zealand Prayer Book) are particularly notable.
Brian was born in 1933, deaconed in 1957, priested in 1957, and ordained a bishop in 1991. He had an MA and BD. He was a curate in Timaru and then St Albans, Christchurch; Vicar of Hororata (1960-65); Vicar of St Matthew’s Dunedin (1965-71); General Secretary of the NZ Church Missionary Society (1971-1982); Vicar of All Saints’ Palmerston North (1982-1991); and then Assistant Bishop of Wellington and Regional Bishop of the northern region of the Diocese, based in Palmerston North. In 1999 Brian and May retired to Christchurch, where they have served the Diocese, and the Parish of Fendalton in various ways.
His son, Peter, is the Bishop of Christchurch.
His family rightly highlights the quote:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
Brian’s funeral is at 10.30am, Monday 8 September 2025, in the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch. It will be live-streamed here.
He was an Old Boy of Christchurch Boys’ High School. They wrote:
With sadness, we acknowledge the passing of the Rt Rev Brian Carrell, a long-time friend of CBHS and former Assistant Bishop of Wellington (Bishop in Palmerston North, 1991–1999).
Bishop Carrell was widely respected for his national church service, especially his 25-year contribution to the commission that produced A New Zealand Prayer Book/He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (1989). This resource continues to shape Anglican worship across Aotearoa.
His connection with CBHS was warm and personal. He led prayers at our ANZAC service in 2018, and the following year stood with our community as his son, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Carrell, was ordained bishop in the CBHS Auditorium, an occasion many will remember. He also presented Bishop Peter at the ordination, underlining a family legacy of service and leadership.
Beyond Wellington and Christchurch, Bishop Carrell encouraged Christian scholarship and mission, serving as General Secretary of the New Zealand Church Missionary Society and mentoring emerging writers and leaders.
We thank Bishop Brian Carrell’s quiet faith, scholarship, and service, qualities that reflect our Blue-Black values and continue to inspire CBHS boys to lead with character. Our aroha goes to Bishop Peter and the Carrell whānau.
God our Father,
we thank you that you have made each of us
in your own image,
and given us gifts and talents
with which to serve you.
We thank you for Brian,
the years we shared with him,
the good we saw in him,
the love we received from him.
Now give us strength and courage,
to leave him in your care,
confident in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (NZPB/HKMA Funeral Service p829)
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We beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy goodness which we have besought may be propitious to the souls of Thy servants, bishops and priests: that through Thy mercy they may receive the reward of the company of Him in whom they have hoped and believed. Through our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Brian Carrell, a man with strong principles, a deep faith and how great that he and May were married for so many years and raised five children. May his knowledge of NZ’s mission history become a part of our lives and grounding for our future.
Bishop Brian assissted me greatly to help a member of the Teachers College Christian Fellowship group whose enrolment at the college was under threat. Within an hour and a half he had phoned college personnel, held discussions and a plan was in place to rescue a young man’s career. May plied me with biscuits and cups of tea. I left their presence grateful and relieved and in awe of what can be done with faith and contacts.