[1] The diocese covers the same area as the provinces of Otago and Southland in the South Island of New Zealand; or approximately 65,990 square kilometres (25,480 sq mi), with a population 272,541 (in 2001).

Anglicans are traditionally the third largest religious group in Otago and Southland after Presbyterians and Roman Catholics.

An official certificate was issued in 1949 to Bishop Fitchett confirming the crest i.e., a Gules, a Saltire between four Mullets Argent surrounded by an open Bible”.

In 1814, the Gospel first preached in Aotearoa at Oihi, Northland by Anglican missionary Samuel Marsden, in 1841 George Selwyn consecrated and appointed Bishop of New Zealand (including Polynesia and Melanesia).

John Fenton arrives in Dunedin; he was the first Anglican priest to settle south of Lyttelton.

The diocese gained some publicity in 2006 when (with the support of the Diocesan Standing Committee), Connor ordained an openly gay man to the diaconate.

He was succeeded by Steven Benford previously Vicar of The Church of St. Joseph the Worker in North London, who was consecrated and installed in September 2017.