PAUA Architects undertook the concept design stage development for the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton East. The commission involves substantially enlarging and providing flexibility to the Cathedral nave. A key part of the design is to connect the Cathedral entrance visually to the Waikato River. Construction is planned to begin in 2008.

One of two key objectives was the creation of an architecture that enables flexibility in the cathedral to suit different celebrations and congregations from overflowing Easter and Christmas masses, to smaller family groups for baptisms. The second objective was to have the architecture configured to suit the nature of the Cathedral and associated liturgical requirements, with the crucifix, the cathedra, and altar all centrally aligned. Importantly, the baptismal font has been brought also onto the central axis within the Cathedral Entry. The design clusters sculptural rooms around the foyer, and allows the integrity of the original church building in particular the coloured-glass steeple to remain the key feature seen from within and the outside.