Fr John Webb was born on the 12th May 1949 in Johannesburg, South Africa. After completing his Secondary education with the Irish Christian Brothers, he entered St John Vianney Seminary Pretoria, where he completed three years of philosophy. He completed the final four years of theology at the All Hallows College Dublin. Fr John was ordained by Bishop Hugh Boyle at the Cathedral of Christ the King on the 19th July 1975.He spent his first seven and a half years of priesthood as a curate at the Johannesburg Cathedral. In January 1982, Fr John was appointed Parish Priest of Holy Family Turffontein, which post he held for sixteen and a half years until he emigrated to NZ in July 1999. He was appointed Parish Administrator of East Coast Bays after 6 Months spent "learning the New Zealand ropes" at Takapuna.