History Our past, near and far
A proud tradition of brotherhood and service spanning more than 135 years in New Zealand, built on centuries of global Masonic heritage.
Freemasonry is a diverse and complex organisation which is very old. In many aspects its origins while contested draw from the old Operative Masons Lodges. These had first written evidence of some aspects of the ceremonies practised dated in England from the 14th century.
While the oldest verifiable Lodge minutes date back to 1598 in Scotland much of the transition away from purely Operative Lodges is recorded as occurring in England from the 1640’s onwards.
1717, London The Beginning of the Grand Lodge movement
On 24 June 1717, the members of four London lodges met at the Goose & Gridiron Tavern in London, and having, in their own words, 'put into the Chair the oldest Master Mason [now the Master of a Lodge]', they constituted themselves a Grand Lodge. Other Lodges in England joined in to the movement. Grand Lodges were formed in Ireland and Scotland in the years following.
1730s Global Expansion
Within decades, Freemasonry had spread across Europe and to most parts of the then British Empire. The first overseas lodges were established in France (1732), the American colonies (1733), and other parts of the world. This period saw the craft fully evolve from its operative masonic roots into a philosophical and charitable brotherhood.
1842, New Zealand NZ Freemasonry
As settlement grew, Freemasonry played an important role in building communities across New Zealand.
The first lodge to formally meet in this country was the New Zealand Pacific Lodge, opened at Port Nicholson (Wellington) in November 1842, under a provisional warrant issued by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Australasia of the then United Grand Lodge of England.
Brethren in Auckland were equally active at the same time in seeking authority to found the Ara Lodge from an Irish Lodge in Sydney, NSW, in November 1842. They then met from early in 1843 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
1890, New Zealand GLNZ
In 1890 the majority of lodges then operating under the authority of English, Irish or Scottish Constitutions combined to form the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand, more commonly known today as Freemasons New Zealand
1970's, New Zealand 70's to today
As in many other countries around the world, the early 1970s saw the peak of New Zealand membership, attributed to an influx of ex-servicemen after World War Two. There are currently 166 lodges in New Zealand, with a combined membership of approximately 4263 in the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.
BECOME A FREEMASON
Begin your journey
Join a brotherhood that turns good men into better men.