The New Zealand Mission

McKay and Cannon’s steamship plied into the port at Wellington, New Zealand, before dawn on April 21, 1921. They spent just over a week on the North Island, visiting missionaries, local members of European descent known as Pakeha, and native Maori Latter-day Saints. By the time of McKay’s visit, Maori converts and their descendants composed the majority of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. Their traditions enamored McKay— most notably the Hui Tau, an annual, multiday conference that included dancing, feasts, and community discussions ranging from church administration to local needs and unit organization. On many occasions, McKay was “ hongied”