Recently appointed adjunct professor at Victoria University’s Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies Dr Selwyn Katene will be discussing the first one-hundred years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in New Zealand. Recently publishedBuild for Eternity: A History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand (Huia Publishers, 2023) provides an account of the history of Mormonism in New Zealand from 1854 to the present day. His research now focuses on its growth and development from 1854 to the late 1950s when the arrival of the first missionaries, the establishment of a New Zealand Mission, European converts ‘gathering to Utah’, reconciling Māori cultural traditions with church teachings, a national church building programme, new executive-style administrative leadership, and the impact of socio-cultural societal changes that lay the foundation of a mainstream religion into the 21^st Century.

Dr Selwyn Katene has had an extensive career in iwi leadership, government, and the tertiary sector involving Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Ngati Toa Ledership Hub (2022), and research consultancy. From 2009 to 2017, he was Assistant Vic- Chancellor (Maori and Pasifika) at Massey University, the Director of Global Centre for Indigenous Leadership, and Director MANU AO Leadership Academy.  His government roles have included Mental Health Commission - General Manager (2006-2008), and senior advisor to Minister of Health (Hon Annette King (2001-2006).

Dr Selwyn Katene has published several other books in the series: Let Their Light So Shine (2021), By Their Fruits You Will Know Them (2017), and Turning the Hearts of the Children (2014); and several books on Māori leadership and scholarship, Conversations about Indigenous Rights (2018), Point of Order? Mr Speaker (2017), Fire That Kindles Hearts (2015), The Spirit of Māori Leadership (2013); and Future Challenges for Māori (2013).