Origns of Orange Order in New Zealand

There are many dates in the commemorative calendar which are in   the common denominator for the world  family of Orangeism but each jurisdiction  has some important dates within their own calendar. 

Because of the enthusiasm and loyalty of members in days long gone Orangeism spread around the world and it was started in Auckland, New Zealand via a few brethren who arrived in 1840.

Two years later Bro. James Carlton Hill, a native of Co. Wicklow and  District Master of Newtonmountkelly, arrived in Auckland and brought with him a District Warrant No.1707 issued on September 13, 1828 to Bro. John Booth For the purpose of planting the old Orange Tree in the sunny south.

It bore the signatures of Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, Rt. Wor. Grand Master and other offices of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and  bearing the seal of the Grand Lodge. 

The early New Zealand lodges had their ups and down. At one stage an early lodge met in an old house loaned by the sexton of the Church of England cemetery which had no furniture and a raupo roof. The warrant with the bible placed on top resting on a three-legged iron pot.

The fact that a lot of early members were soldiers in the 58th and 65th   regiments and that the gold rushes in California and Victoria attracted a  lot of members rmean that some lodges had difficulties at times.

A resolution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in Dublin in 1866 forwarded to the Orangemen in New Zealand authorised them to constitute a Grand Lodge for the colony. The Grand Lodge of the North island of New Zealand constituted on December 26, 1867. The Grand Lodge of the Middle or South island was constituted in 1870. Later in 1908, the two Grand Lodges were closed and the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand was constituted.

As in the past the enthusiasm and loyalty of today's members keeps the Institution going. During the last years a creditable record has been set with lodges assisting of many local charities and community projects such as flood and cyclone disasters, relief work, drug and alcohol abuse, street kids centre, medical research centre, as well as assisting members in distress. At each Grand Lodge sesson a project for the ensuring term is decided upon which is additional to lodge projects.

It would be hard to get further away from the Boyne than New Zealand, but Orangemen there join with Grand Lodge of Ireland in celebrating the 300th anniversary of that great victory. However, during 1990 they will also be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing ol treaty of Waitangi, the interpretation of which, in today's world needs delicate handling and a good deal of  understanding by all New Zealanders.

Contact details - For the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand

The Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand

Postal Address
PO BOX 6145
Upper Riccarton
Christchurch
New Zealand