SUTER, ANDREW BURN (1830-95) was born in London and was educated at St Paul's School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. (senior optime) 1853, M.A. 1856. He was ordained deacon in 1855 and priest in 1856. For five years (1855-60) he was curate of St Dunstan's-in-the-West, and for six years vicar of All Saints, Mile End.

On 24 Aug 1866 Suter was consecrated at Canterbury Cathedral as Bishop of Nelson and created D.D. On 26 Sep 1867 he reached Nelson in the Cissy with four clergy. With the discovery of gold in 1866 the diocese had expanded in the direction of Westland, making extra demands upon his energy and resources, and calling for arduous and dangerous journeys. In his first years in New Zealand Suter created the archdeaconry of Marlborough (1868) and established the theological training college at Bishopdale. In 1873 he took to England for ordination his two first students (T. S. Grace and J. P. Kempthorne, q.v.) and there created a tutorship fund. On his return he founded the board of theological studies and revived the archdeaconry of Waimea (dormant since Archdeacon Paul's resignation in 1860). At the meeting of general synod in Nelson (1877) John R. Selwyn, son of the first Bishop of New Zealand, was consecrated as Bishop of Melanesia. Consolidation of diocesan institutions, the foundation of St Andrew's Orphanage and the opening of new churches marked the later years of Suter's bishopric. He was a good citizen as well as being a good bishop, with scholarly interests in art and general culture. He was a vigorous supporter of the rights of Nelson under the Midland railway contract. During the labour difficulties of 1890 he organised meetings for the discussion of social problems. In 1889 he was proposed for the primacy. Two years later, stricken with paralysis, Suter resigned his office. He died on 29 Mar 1895.

The Colonist, 30 Mar 1895; Nelson Diocesan Gazette, Oct 1933. Portrait: Nelson Evening Mail, 11 Dec 1926.

Reference: Volume 2, page 177

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