Cyril McKay photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands.

Cyril McKay went to Western Samoa in 1919 as a cadet in the New Zealand public service. He remained there for almost 24 years, developing a knowledge and understanding of the Samoan language and culture, and eventually becoming the Secretary of Native Affairs in 1934, a post he held for 10 years along with that of District Officer for the Tokelau Islands. He was recalled to Wellington in 1943 where he became Secretary of the Department of Island Territories. After his retirement from the Department he was appointed New Zealand's first representative on the South Pacific Commission in 1948. He was also appointed Plebiscite Administrator to oversee the Plebsicite vote of 9 May 1961 which led to independence for Western Samoa the following year. He wrote about his experiences in 'Samoana : a personal story of the Samoan Islands', which was published in 1968.