William John Simkin
About
NameWilliam John SimkinBorn15 June 1883Died8 July 1967HistoryAnglican Bishop of Auckland, 1940-1960.
William John Simkin was the eldest of four, born in Rugeley, Staffordshire. His mother died in 1894.
"William studied at Lichfield Theological College and was awarded a Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained Deacon and then priest in 1908 & 1909 and then immigrated to New Zealand in the spring of 1911 where he served as Vicar in Wairoa until 1918." - National Portrait Gallery
He married Florence Emberton in 1919, but they never had any children.
Simkins was on the St John's Theological College Trust Board from 1926 – 1940.
He become Bishop of Auckland in 1940, and laid the Foundation Stone of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Chancel on 13th June 1957.
He retired in 1960 and moved to Taupo. He died in Rotorua Hospital on 8 July 1967, aged 85.
William John Simkin was the eldest of four, born in Rugeley, Staffordshire. His mother died in 1894.
"William studied at Lichfield Theological College and was awarded a Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained Deacon and then priest in 1908 & 1909 and then immigrated to New Zealand in the spring of 1911 where he served as Vicar in Wairoa until 1918." - National Portrait Gallery
He married Florence Emberton in 1919, but they never had any children.
Simkins was on the St John's Theological College Trust Board from 1926 – 1940.
He become Bishop of Auckland in 1940, and laid the Foundation Stone of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Chancel on 13th June 1957.
He retired in 1960 and moved to Taupo. He died in Rotorua Hospital on 8 July 1967, aged 85.
Person
William John Simkin. John Kinder Theological Library, accessed 19/03/2026, https://kinderlibrary.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/12619






