The Pope's appointment of a cardinal from Tonga has been welcomed by members of the Catholic Church.
The Bishop of Tonga, Soane Patita Paini Mafi, is among the 20 new cardinals announced by Pope Francis, as part of his efforts to reform the leadership of the Church.
He has been appointed alongside the Archbishop of Wellington, John Dew.
The Bishop-elect of Hamilton, Father Steve Lowe, says both men are great bishops and widely experienced.
He says both have held positions as leaders of Bishop conferences and both have a wide understanding of neighbouring dioceses as well as their own.
Both cardinals will be among an elite group of cardinals who will have voting rights on the pope's successor.
They will be installed at a ceremony known as a consistory at the Vatican on the 14th of February.