Lodge Tawhiri No. 166

Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 is a Freemasons lodge based in Hamilton, Waikato. Founded in Frankton in November 1909, the Lodge has brought local men together for fellowship, learning and service for more than a century.

Today, Lodge Tawhiri is an active local lodge whose members come from a range of ages, occupations and backgrounds. We meet at the Waikato Masonic Centre, 294 Barton Street, Hamilton.

The Lodge operates under The Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand and forms part of the Kaimai Region, which covers the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Lodge Tawhiri Today

A normal month at Lodge Tawhiri includes a formal Lodge meeting, a separate business meeting and time together in the refectory.

Formal meetings may include Lodge business, a Masonic ceremony or an educational presentation. Members also visit other lodges, support charitable and community projects and take part in the wider life of Freemasonry.

New members receive practical guidance as they learn about the Lodge, its ceremonies and the responsibilities of membership. Participation is encouraged, but members have different levels of experience, confidence and available time.

The social life of the Lodge is also important. Members spend time together after meetings and attend occasional activities involving partners and families.

Our History

Lodge Tawhiri was constituted on 23 November 1909, during a period of growth in Frankton and Hamilton.

The formation of the Lodge followed discussions led by Worshipful Brother George Barclay, the Frankton Station Master, who recognised the need for a Masonic lodge serving the growing local population. He became Lodge Tawhiri’s first Master.

The Lodge’s early history was closely connected with Frankton and the railway community. Many early members worked in or around the railway industry, and that connection remained an important part of the Lodge’s identity.

The original Lodge room was provided through the generosity of Worshipful Brother Frank Jolly. It was destroyed during the Frankton tornado of 1948. A replacement meeting place was completed on the original site in 1952.

The Lodge continued to acknowledge its railway heritage in later years. Special railway-related working tools were presented during the 2005 Installation, and a steam train formed part of the Lodge’s centennial celebrations in 2009.

Lodge Tawhiri now meets at the Waikato Masonic Centre in central Hamilton, continuing the work begun by its founders more than a century ago.

A Roll of Hamilton History

The Lodge Tawhiri Roll of Past Masters records the men who have led the Lodge since its constitution on 23 November 1909.

It also reflects part of Hamilton’s wider history. The names include railwaymen, tradesmen, business owners, professionals and community figures whose lives were connected with the development of Frankton, Hamilton and the wider Waikato. Some became well known through civic, professional or business service. Others contributed more quietly through their work, families, churches, clubs and voluntary organisations.

Together, the names demonstrate the continuity between the Lodge founded in Frankton in 1909 and Lodge Tawhiri today.

View the full Roll of Past Masters →

The Name Tawhiri

The name Tawhiri reflects the Lodge’s local identity and early history.

Lodge tradition associates the name with a leafy branch waved in welcome and with the local Waitawhiriwhiri Stream. The Lodge crest depicts a figure holding or waving a branch of the tawhiri tree.

Meetings and Lodge Life

Lodge Tawhiri meets at the Waikato Masonic Centre, 294 Barton Street, Hamilton.

Regular Lodge Meeting: First Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm.

Business Meeting: Last Tuesday of each month at 7.00 pm.

In addition to its regular meetings, members attend educational evenings, visit other lodges and support charitable and community activities throughout Hamilton and Waikato.

Officers of the Lodge (2025/2026)

The Lodge Tawhiri Roll of Past Masters records the men who have led the Lodge since its constitution on 23 November 1909. The names reflect part of Hamilton’s wider history, including railwaymen, tradesmen, business owners, professionals and community figures connected with the development of Frankton, Hamilton and the wider Waikato.

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The Origins of Freemasonry

Freemasonry has its origins in the guilds of stonemasons from the Middle Ages. These guilds regulated the trade, provided support for members, and encouraged moral and ethical behavior. Over time, Freemasonry evolved into a fraternal society focused on personal growth, moral development, and community service.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that promotes personal growth, friendship, and service to the community. Members meet in lodges to participate in ceremonial rituals, learn moral lessons, engage socially, and build lasting friendships.

Freemasonry is not a religion, but belief in a Supreme Being is required. Freemasonry complements personal faith and encourages members to live ethically and responsibly in their personal and professional lives.

Why Become a Freemason?

Freemasons join to develop themselves, build strong friendships, and contribute to their communities. Lodge life provides structure, guidance, leadership opportunities, and mentoring within a supportive and values-driven organisation.

The Values of Freemasonry

The Degrees of Freemasonry

Further Degrees

The Book of Constitution of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand (Rule 71) recognises the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch as "pure Antient Freemasonry." Lodge Tawhiri offers the first three degrees, while Tawhiri Royal Arch Chapter No. 47 under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand offers the next three degrees.

Companion Orders

Many Freemasons choose to join companion or side orders in addition to their Craft Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter. None of the degrees offered in companion orders is considered greater than the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The companion orders available in New Zealand include:

• Cryptic Council
• The Antient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix)
• Knights Templar and the Order of Malta
• The Order of The Secret Monitor
• The Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees
• The Royal Order of Scotland
• The Red Cross of Constantine
• The Operatives
• Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
• Order of the Eastern Star

Other Resources

• The Grand Lodge of New Zealand
• Simple Answers to Leading Questions
• Plain English Guide to Freemasonry

Eligibility

To become a Freemason, you must make your decision freely, without improper inducement, and not for personal gain or idle curiosity. You must believe in a Supreme Being, be law-abiding, and be over 18. You must also be willing to complete a criminal conviction check.

We welcome men from all professions, backgrounds, and faiths who are genuinely interested in personal growth, friendship, and service.

How to Join

Joining Lodge Tawhiri is a straightforward and supportive process. Every candidate is guided through each step, and the process may take up to six months. Your proposer or mentor will keep you informed about your progress throughout.

1. Research – Learn about Freemasonry in New Zealand and lodge life by exploring our website, rituals, social events, and community involvement.
2. Get in Touch – Contact us via our website form, email, or Facebook page. A member will arrange an informal meeting to answer your questions.
3. Attend an Informal Catch-Up – Meet a couple of lodge members in a relaxed setting to get to know each other and ask questions.
4. Visit Lodge Tawhiri as a Guest – Attend refectory (dinner or supper) after a lodge meeting to experience the lodge and meet more members.
5. Join – If Freemasonry is right for you, you will be guided through the formal process, beginning with the first degree and supported throughout by experienced members.

Membership Costs

Membership at Lodge Tawhiri involves:

Fee	Amount
Annual Dues (Lodge Subscription)	$200
Capitation Fee (National Office Levy)	$118
Northern Division Levy	$27

Many members choose to pay these contributions in monthly installments for convenience. These contributions support lodge operations, facilities, mentorship, social events, and community activities. Any questions about costs can be discussed confidentially with your proposer or mentor.

Membership Enquiry

Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 is committed to supporting our community through charitable giving, volunteer work, and community involvement.

We work alongside the Freemasons Charity and other lodges to provide charitable support to people and organisations in our local community and across New Zealand.

For Lodge Tawhiri, charity is more than simply giving money. Many of our members give significant amounts of their time to community groups, sports organisations, charities, and not-for-profit organisations. Service to others is one of the core values of Freemasonry, and we believe that supporting the community means contributing time, skills, and effort as well as financial assistance.

Recent Charitable Support

Charity and service are an important part of lodge life, and members of Lodge Tawhiri take pride in supporting our community. If you are part of a community organisation that may benefit from support, you are welcome to contact Lodge Tawhiri to discuss how we may be able to assist.

Lodge Tawhiri meets in a purpose-built lodge room at the Waikato Masonic Centre, located at 294 Barton Street, Hamilton.

Our facilities provide a professional and welcoming environment for meetings, ceremonies, social events, and community gatherings.

The lodge room is operated by Waikato Masonic Properties Ltd, of which Lodge Tawhiri is the majority shareholder. Other shareholders include Lodge Alexandra No. 1188 (EC) and Lodge Beta Waikato No. 12. This partnership ensures that the lodge rooms are maintained to a high standard and are available for the needs of all shareholder lodges.

Facilities

Venue Enquiries

For enquiries about the Waikato Masonic Centre facilities:

We collect these details so that we can respond to your message. Providing the information is voluntary, but we may be unable to reply without suitable contact details. Your information will be provided only to the Lodge members or officers who reasonably need it to answer your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policy for further information.

Last updated: 14 July 2026

Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 (“we”, “our”, or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand).

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights.

Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for the operation of Lodge Tawhiri and our website.

Information we may collect includes:

• Your name.
• Your email address.
• Your telephone number (if you choose to provide it).
• The contents of any enquiry or message you send us.
• Technical information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system and pages visited on our website through website analytics.

Providing personal information through our website is voluntary. However, if you choose not to provide certain information, we may be unable to respond to your enquiry.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Respond to enquiries submitted through our website.
• Provide information about Lodge Tawhiri or Freemasonry where you have requested it.
• Arrange meetings or visits with prospective members.
• Communicate with you regarding your enquiry.
• Maintain and improve our website.
• Monitor website performance and usage through analytics.

We do not use your information for unsolicited marketing.

Contact Forms

Information submitted through our contact forms is used solely for the purpose of responding to your enquiry.

If you enquire about becoming a Freemason, your information may be shared with appropriate officers of Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 who are responsible for speaking with prospective members. Your information will not be disclosed outside the Lodge except:

• where required or authorised by law;
• where you have given your consent; or
• where disclosure is reasonably necessary to respond to your enquiry.

Submitting a contact form does not subscribe you to a mailing list.

Website Analytics and Cookies

Our website uses cookies and analytics services to understand how visitors use the site and to improve its performance.

These services may collect information such as:

• pages visited;
• time spent on the website;
• device and browser information;
• approximate geographic location; and
• IP address.

You can control or disable cookies through your web browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of the website.

Third-Party Services

Our website may use reputable third-party providers for services such as website hosting, analytics and spam protection.

Some of these providers may process information outside New Zealand. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information receives appropriate protection.

How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the personal information we hold against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration or loss.

While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or internet storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only for as long as it is reasonably required for the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law.

General enquiries that do not result in ongoing communication may be deleted after a reasonable period.

Accessing and Correcting Your Information

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request access to personal information we hold about you and to request correction if you believe it is inaccurate.

Requests should be made using the contact details below.

External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites, including websites operated by Freemasons New Zealand and other organisations.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

Privacy Officer

Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 has appointed a Privacy Officer in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

Privacy Officer:
E. M. Tuck

Privacy enquiries may be submitted through our Contact page.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation or our practices.

The latest version will always be published on this page.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact Lodge Tawhiri No. 166 through the Contact page on this website.