United Horowhenua Lodge No 464

In 1998, the principal Officers of both Lodge Horowhenua and of Lodge Levin started talking about the declining numbers of both Lodges. Both Lodges had come a long way with Lodge Horowhenua No 135 (96 years old) and Lodge Levin (44 years old).

Freemasonry had its beginning in the Horowhenua in 1904 although Freemasons had been living here for many years prior. Indeed, a good number had been travelling to Otaki for meetings by horse and cart, Lodge Otaki having been constituted in 1891.

In 1955 with Lodge Horowhenua having 155 members, a new Lodge was formed. Lodge Levin No 386 was constituted on the 21st May 1955 which started with members of Lodge Horowhenua and stayed that way until 1999.

During 1998, negotiations were taking place between members of committees nominated by both Lodges which were tasked amongst other thing with the name of the new Lodge, how the Lodge would operate and of course, the Officers of the new Lodge. Of the three names submitted, it was agreed that the name would be “The United Horowhenua Lodge” with the number to be allocated by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of New Zealand.

In May 1999, the new Lodge was Constituted as the United Horowhenua Lodge No. 464. What a day it was for Levin with the Grand Master and a vast array of Grand Lodge Officers in attendance. This was finished off with a delightful banquet in the evening with many dignitaries being present.

Shortly thereafter, a history of Freemasonry in the Horowhenua was drafted and printed. Freemason during the early era had it very hard with travel to and from Lodge meetings in the region very difficult. In 1911, the first Lodge building burnt down with the Lodge losing everything but this did not deter them and they quietly started from scratch once more.

They met in a number of buildings finally selling the previous Lodge building to the Group which owns the Warehouse Co. in 2003. In 2004, the Horowhenua Masonic Co Inc. used the capital from the sale of that building to construct the present building on council Land in the Playford Park part of Parker Avenue. Members of the United Horowhenua Lodge make up the members of the Horowhenua Masonic Co Inc and keep the building in great shape.

The United Horowhenua Lodge No 464 today has just under 50 members. As a country Lodge, the members come from a vast array of occupations as they have for many years in the past. It is an active Lodge integrated into the community and looks for any occasion to get out into the community and be recognised as community members.

Annually, we march in the ANZAC Day parade and have done so now for a number of years. Prior to that we attended the service and laid a wreath which we still do, however, we now march as Freemasons in our full Regalia for the public to see and recognise.

For the past seven years we have had a stall at the AP&I Show where we have created a display for all to see. We have for the past few years attended the Medieval Market where we have sheltered under our Gazebo for a fun day out in the open. Interestingly, people no longer stare at us as used to do in the first few years at the AP&I. It is from these outings of the Lodge that we tend to attract unattached Masons who have shifted into the area and young men who are curious about Freemasonry and want to learn more.

It is also interesting to hear the stories of sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters whose fathers or grandfathers had been Freemasons and past members of Lodges in the Horowhenua or had shifted into Levin. We have spent many hours talking to them with a number of grandsons joining the fraternity and what a delight it has been. It is also great to see the face of new initiates when they see exactly who are members and those that they know.

Freemason at large and members of our Lodge are just ordinary people who have a common interest in helping people within the community. To us, benevolence is not a buzz word but a way of life. It is a foundation stone in Freemasonry and our Lodge uses it regularly within the community. We are a family who looks after its members and widows of members. Our wives and partners attend monthly get togethers and morning teas, and attend our two main functions, the Annual Installation of our new Master and our Christmas Function.

Over the past 15 or so years, we have contributed over $275,000.00 within community groups or individuals including sports groups, community organisation, scholarships for students, individuals. We have held raffles, car washes, built fences, chopped fire wood, held garage sales and put in from our own pockets. And then, we have contributed hours and hours assisting the community.

We are not a secret society, or a religion, or a sect, or the Illuminatii, we are just a Lodge of people who like to help others.