In September 2017, Bishop Victoria Matthews announces the Synod had voted to restore Christchurch's earthquake-damaged cathedral.

Christchurch's Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews has resigned after 10 years in the role, describing her tenure as "an extraordinary privilege".

Matthews announced her resignation on Monday, but was clear she was not retiring.

"I am going to take some time to reflect on what it is that God is now calling me to do. I'm not retiring and I'm not in ill health, I am merely following where my Saviour is leading me, wherever that may be."

JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF.CO.NZ Bishop Victoria Matthews during an open service before the synod meeting to vote on whether to restore, or rebuild the earthquake-damaged Anglican Christchurch Cathedral building in Christchurch Square. The Synod voted in favour of restoration.

A polarising figure, her time as bishop of Christchurch was dominated by the long-running debate over the future of the city's cathedral, the Christ Church Cathedral, which was badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquakes.

Matthews favoured demolishing the cathedral and building a modern replacement, saying it was not right to raise money to restore the cathedral when city people were suffering. A Synod vote in September backed restoration.

READ MORE:

* Anglican Care buys site for hub for Christchurch vulnerable youths

* Acceptance for same-sex couples moves closer

* Council approves $10 million Christ Church Cathedral grant approved

* New Christ Church Cathedral spire could be modern, clean-up coming - restoration boss

* City developer tipped for Christ Church Cathedral restoration

KIRK HARGREAVES Bishop Victoria Matthews in front of the Christchurch Cathedral in 2015. She will leave on May 1.

"I want to thank the people in this Diocese for their faithful service. This beautiful Diocese has been through many challenges brought about by earthquakes, wind, fire and floods. But through it all, people have been their best selves by helping others, working together and finding new ways of doing things," she said.

Matthews, who will finish on May 1, said she was "happy" the cathedral was being restored.

"I am particularly pleased we opted to put restoration of our relationship with the wider community in first place."

KIRK HARGREAVES Bishop Victoria Matthews blesses the site where the Transitional Cathedral will sit on the corner of Hereford and Madras streets in 2012.

CITY LEADERS, CAMPAIGNERS RESPOND

City leaders and heritage campaigners wished Matthews well, noting the challenges she faced.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said Matthews put others before herself after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Joseph Johnson Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews during a press conference on the future of Christchurch Cathedral in 2017.

"I think she has had an enormously challenging time," she said.

"There was a lot of confidence expressed in the way she would bring a special dimension to her role as the first woman bishop of Christchurch."

"The incredible sequence of events that occurred with the earthquakes. That was a hugely challenging time. She, like so many other leaders at the time, simply took a very calm and measured approach. She put others before herself."

David Hallett The Archbishop Rowan Williams and Bishop Victoria Matthews at Christ's College in 2012.

"She has a strong belief in her service to others."

Philip Burdon, who campaigned to restore the cathedral, wished her well.

"I respect her decision and wish her well for the future," he said.

David Alexander Matthews is installed becoming the eighth bishop of Christchurch at Christ Church Cathedral in 2008.

Heritage campaigner Mark Belton said it was the right decision.

"It must have been difficult for her to lead this next phase for the cathedral," he said.

"I think it is a good thing she has done. To have people leading the process who are generally enthusiastic about the restoration of the cathedral will help the process."

STACY SQUIRES/STUFF The Anglican ruling body, the general Synod, voted in May to allow same-sex blessings, but only if they are authorised by the local bishop. Former Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews discusses the regional synod vote in March.

Former Christchurch dean Peter Beck said some had been "vindictive" towards Matthews over the cathedral.

"It is fair to say that Bishop Victoria and I fell out over some things," he said.

"She and I had a difficult relationship, but I wish her well."

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods said she campaigned alongside Matthews against the sale of state housing.

"She is someone who takes her calling very seriously and has worked very hard for Christchurch."

Former earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee said Matthews was in a difficult position.

"It [her job] was always going to be difficult one way or the other. I think clearly she has walked a fine line given the fact it was subject of such a huge amount of emotional response as well as being considerable economic pressure on the Anglican church."

CHRISTCHURCH A CALLING

Matthews was Bishop of Edmonton in Canada from 1997 to 2007 and assistant bishop of Toronto from 1994 to 1997.

Matthews has a master's degrees in divinity and theology, did mission work in Haiti, was Bishop of Edmonton for a decade and has served on an Anglican taskforce on same-sex marriage.

She is a breast cancer survivor and has walked the 800km El Camino pilgrimage trail in Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

She was one of four bishops nominated for the election of an Anglican Primate of Canada in 2007, but was not successful.

Elected Anglican bishop of Christchurch in 2008, she was the second woman to become a diocesan bishop in New Zealand – her four male predecessors all served as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral.

After her quake-damaged St Albans home was demolished she moved into a sleepout with her dog, Jethro.

On her appointment as Bishop of Canterbury in 2008, she said it was her calling.

"Never in my wildest imagination did I think I was going to be called to Christchurch," she said.

"But I was sure that's what God was asking me to do."

Matthews told North and South in in 2012 she believed the flak she copped over the cathedral was partly a grief reaction. "We've all lost so much… I have done my very best to remain compassionate and pastoral towards those who have been angry."

Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses, Philip Richardson, said Matthews had "courage and tenacity".

"I am deeply grateful for the courage and tenacity Bishop Matthews showed when she led the Diocese through a very challenging and unprecedented period."

WHAT NEXT?

Diocesan Chancellor Jeremy Johnson said Richardson would now become "acting bishop" in effect, with help from senior diocese leaders.

"The Diocese will also begin the work of choosing a new bishop. This will be by election where the voting clergy and lay members of Synod will meet to pray, discuss and discern who should be the next Bishop. This process is called an electoral college.

"From there, the nominee will be put forward to be ratified by the provincial House of Bishops and the General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui."

CATHEDRAL TIMELINE:

August 2008: Installed as Bishop of Christchurch.

June 2011: Bishop Matthews first raises the possibility that the quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral may need to be demolished.

December 2011: Dean Peter Beck resigns, saying his position was made "untenable" by Matthews as they clashed over the cathedral's future.



March 2012: Matthews announces the cathedral is too badly damaged to be repaired, and will be mostly demolished. The rebuilt cathedral will be "a mixture of old and new".

November 2012: A High Court ruling puts demolition on hold following a legal challenge by the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust.

April 2013: Anglicans present three options for building - Restore, rebuild in modern style and rebuild in traditional style.

July 2013: Court of Appeal gives Anglicans green light to demolish.

August 2013: The transitional 'cardboard' cathedral opens at Latimer Square. "I was absolutely overwhelmed at the significance of the moment," Matthews says.

September 2013: Anglicans choose to replace cathedral with new, modern building. "It's a contemporary cathedral - that we can say without question," Matthews says.

December 2013: Legal action continues. Supreme Court rejects appeal to preserve cathedral.

December 2015: Church leaders and government announce "reinstatement" of cathedral is being considered.

September 2017: The Anglican Synod votes to restore Christchurch Cathedral on the back of financial support from the Crown and the city council.

March 2018: Matthews resigns.