Paterson was educated at King"s College, Auckland and the University of Auckland His qualifications are a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Auckland, a Licentiate in Theology from Street John"s College, Auckland and a Diploma of Public Speaking from the New Zealand Speech Board.
Paterson began his ordained ministry with a curacy at Whangarei. He was then the vicar of Waimate from 1971 to 1976 where he also had chaplaincy and administrative posts before being ordained to the episcopate as the Bishop of Auckland in 1994. He was also the chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council until 2009.
On his retirement he was presented with the Cross of Street Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
