A full and richly illustrated biography of one of the most important figures in the history of New Zealand, this study presents James Michael Liston's work within the New Zealand church and his huge contribution to its growth and development. A Catholic priest for 72 years and the leader of New Zealand's most populous Catholic diocese for more than half a century, Liston's entire life is dissected, including details on the national and international honors he received as well as the more controversial aspects of his career--from his commitment to the cause of Irish independence to the mounting tensions that resulted from his conservative opinions.