Macky was educated at the Auckland University College and the Theological Hall, Dunedin, during the First World War he attested for service in England in July 1918, with the YMCA, where he was based in London. In 1920 he married Olive Jessie nee Gruar on the 10 August 1920 at St. Andrew's Church Hamilton. They had four children, a son John Gruar Mackey, and three daughters Isabel, Margery and Janet.

His first charge was at Lansdowne, Masterton and then from there he went to Dannevirke and in 1933 he was called to Knox Church, Lower Hutt. AWMM