[1] Browne received his primary education at St. Michael's Primary school, Remuera, and his secondary education at St. Peter's College, Epsom, conducted by the Christian Brothers.
[1] He then went on to study at Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (operated by the Jesuit order) and Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (operated by the Vincentian order).
On 29 June 1977, he was consecrated a bishop in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland.
[1] In the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to the community.
[3] Browne's resignation from the see was accepted by Pope Francis on 22 November 2014 and his successor Stephen Lowe was appointed the 3rd Bishop of Hamilton on the same date.