The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal societies. There are approximately five million Freemasons worldwide and 6700 Freemasons in New Zealand with 225 Lodges.
Freemasons are ordinary people in the community, 21 years and over, of all religions and backgrounds, who share a concern for human values, moral standards and the rights of individuals.
There are many reasons why a person will choose to be a Freemason.
It is an organisation that promotes self-development, family and community values. It provides people with an opportunity for public service, and hands-on involvement in charitable and community issues, as well as a chance to socialise with people from all walks of life.
The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand
The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand (SGRACNZ) has the responsibility for governing the three degrees of the Royal Arch, the four degrees of Cryptic Masonry, and the degrees of the Royal Ark Mariner and the Red Cross of Babylon. Together these seek to extend the understanding of Masonic philosophy to Craft Masons, and provide enlightenment about the manner in which they and all Masons may conduct their lives.
Membership of the Royal Arch Chapters governed by the SGRACNZ is restricted to members of Lodges who have completed the Master Mason Degree. A Royal Arch Chapter may also work the ceremonies of Royal Ark Mariner and the Red Cross of Babylon. Separately constituted Cryptic Councils confer the four degrees of Royal Master, Select Master, Most Excellent Master and Super Excellent Master.
The SGRACNZ was formed in 1892 from a disparate group of Royal Arch Chapters which had been constituted during the previous 30 years under the various English, Scottish and Irish Constitutions. A small number of Chapters in New Zealand remained under the jurisdiction of their original constitutions and most of these are still active offering Freemasons in New Zealand a rare opportunity to enjoy and participate in competing constitutions.
The Order of the Secret Monitor of New Zealand
Founded to extend the concepts of Brotherhood and Fraternity embodied by Freemasonry, the Order seeks to enhance the Masonic experience by drawing on the story of the great friendship between the Biblical characters of David and Jonathan, calling on its members to obligate themselves to look after the welfare of their Brethren and their families. Conclaves of the New Zealand Constitution of the Order actively involve their families, arranging entertainment or functions for the wives and friends while the men-folk are engaged in their formal meetings and are proud to be part of “The Friendly Order”.
Candidates for Induction must have been raised to the Degree of Master Mason and undertake two Masonic degrees to become full members of a Conclave.
The Ancient and Accepted Rite Rose Croix of New Zealand
The aim of the Order, which is Christian in character and practice, is to provide a duly qualified Master Mason with the opportunity to extend his participation, knowledge and enjoyment of masonry. The Ancient and Accepted Rite continues the teachings of symbolic masonry in a series of most interesting degrees.
In 1875 the first New Zealand Chapter was formed at Greymouth under the authority of England and Wales. The New Zealand Supreme Council was established on February 12, 1994. Today there are approximately 50 Chapters under its banner, four of which have accomplished 100 years of service.
Rose Croix is a simple, beautiful degree following the Christian teachings. Its ritual is of special interest to the practising Christian as it moves through the steps of life, links Craft Masonry to higher levels and finally welcomes the candidate into the Living Circle. All Master Masons are eligible to join. Known as the Ceremony of Perfection, each candidate is instructed from the 4th to the 18th degree in one ceremony.
Knight Templar Priests
The full name is the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom.
There are 10 Tabernacles in New Zealand, which is split into 3 Districts, North, Central, and South, each with a Grand Superintendent as the District Head.
Membership is by application, and a prospective member must be a subscribing member of
– a Craft Lodge
– a Royal Arch Chapter
– a Knights Templar Preceptory (or Priory)
And must profess the Trintarian Christain faith.
There are thirty one Appendant Degrees, and it was determined by the Founders that a Mason needed to be of a certain standing and qualification within Freemasonry to comprehend and appreciate these especial degrees.
The Order of Holy Wisdom has a specific requirement in that the applicant must be a member of the Knight Templar Priests. The new ritual (originally worked in the 18th century) maintains the spirit of the original, while eliminating much of the cost involved.
For further information, please contact
Right Eminent Knight Priest Bruce MacConnell (North) gs_north@knightstemplar.org.nz
Right Eminent Knight Priest Phil Brooke (Central) gs_central@knightstemplar.org.nz
Right Eminent Knight Priest Phil Ivamy (South) gs_south@knightstemplar.org.nz
The Commemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Acon
The Commemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Acon is an independent British Christian masonic organisation. Membership is restricted to members of Knights Templar Preceptories and Priories under the United Great Priory in New Zealand. The basic organisation of the Order is a Chapel. The Chough Chapel No.48 is presently the only Chapel in New Zealand, situated in Auckland and comes under the Province of Australia South & New Zealand based in Melbourne, Australia.
The Chough Chapel No.48 meets at the Highland Park Masonic Centre in Highland Park, Howick, Auckland, four times per year; April, June, August and their installation in November. The meetings are held in conjunction with the Knights Templar Body Guard Preceptory No.43 who meet on the mornings of the same days. The current Worthy Master is Jamie MacGee.
The Order of St. Thomas of Acon was established in 1974 as a result of twenty years’ research in the Guildhall Library in London by John E. N. Walker, who for many years was the Secretary General of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. The ancient records of the Order, written in medieval French and Latin, had been deposited in the London Guildhall Library and escaped the Great Fire of 1666. The Order now operates under the official title of The Commemorative Order of St Thomas of Acon. It is the only English Order of Chivalry and its ritual is based on the original records as above. The Saint Thomas referred to is Thomas A’Beckett and the word Acon is the Anglicised version of the city of Acre in the Holy Land. The Order was established during the Crusades.