Richard has a quiet direct eloquence which enabled him to convey his ideas and his sermons with a remarkable economy of words. A skilled writer, his sermons are as easy to read as to listen to, and some may be read on this site - here.

Born in Auckland in 1940, he was educated at Takapuna Grammar School 1953 - 1957. An excellent scholar, Mr Randerson earned his Master of Arts (Honours, Greek) at Otago University in 1961 and Bachelor of Divinity in 1964. He was admitted Deacon at St John's Theological College, Auckland, in 1964 and ordained Priest in 1965 while Curate Assistant at Christ Church, Papakura.

Dean Richard married Jackie, with whom he has three children, in 1967, and left Papakura the following year to take up a World Council of Churches scholarship. He graduated Master of Sacred Theology (magna cum laude) from Union Theological Seminary, NY in 1969, also gaining a Diploma in Clinical Pastoral Education from Bryce Hospital, Alabama. During 1969-70 he was also Priest Assistant in Adult Education at Grace Church, Brooklyn, NY.

During a period in the United Kingdom he was Curate Assistant at Eaglescliffe, Durham, and Associate Priest for the Teeside Industrial Mission (1970-71) before returning to New Zealand as Director of the Interchurch Industrial Mission (1971-1978), Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Auckland (1972-78) and Priest Assistant at Balmoral (1973-78).

In 1978 Bishop Richard became Vicar of St Peter's Church, Wellington, and Archdeacon of Wellington nine years later, retaining both positions until 1990. He completed a Doctorate in Ministry from the San Francisco Theological Seminary during 1987 and was a Member of the Lambeth Conference the following year.

Four years followed as Priest Assistant of Wellington Cathedral and Social Responsibility Commissioner before Bishop Richard was consecrated at St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, NSW, Australia on 21st December 1994, becoming Assistant Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, and remaining there until 1999.

Installed as Dean of Auckland in 2000, Bishop Richard was also commissioned as the Deputy Chair of the N.Z. Royal Commission into Genetic Modification which completed its task and reported in July 2001.

Dean Richard was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list of 2004.

While Dean of Auckland, Bishop Richard was concurrently Vicar-General of the Auckland Diocese and, from 2002, Assistant Bishop of Auckland.

Richard and Jackie retired to Wellington on 15th June 2007.