Gordon S. Griffiths, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander Supreme Council, 33° for New Zealand
162 Norman Lesser Drive, St. Johns Park, Remuera
Auckland 5, New Zealand

In 1875, the first Rose Croix Chapter was formed in New Zealand at Greymouth (on the West Coast of the South Island) under the authority of the Supreme Council, 33°, for England and Wales. By 1900, a number of Chapters had spread throughout the country, but it was not until after the First World War that the Order began to flourish.

During the 1930s and 1940s, Chapters were formed in the majority of urban centers, with the Southern Cross Chapter No. 88, which was founded in 1881, being a considerable sponsor for the creation of other Chapters, especially in the northern part of New Zealand. The first Sovereign of Southern Cross, enthroned in 1881, was Ill. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, 33°. He became the first Inspector General for the whole of New Zealand and later was also Grand Master under the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

In the latter part of the 20th century, the 1990s in fact, approaches were made to London for New Zealand to have its own governing body. Subsequently, all Chapters in New Zealand took part in a ballot to ascertain what support was likely from present members. The result of this vote was clear-cut with all but one English Chapter voting for the change, but the Scottish Chapters unanimously rejected the idea.

On February 12, 1994, representatives of the Supreme Council, 33°, for England and Wales came to Auckland and inaugurated the Supreme Council, 33°, for New Zealand. A special committee of New Zealand Inspectors General was authorized to plan for the great event, which was attended by over 500 Brethren. Supreme Councils represented included the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A., Australia (a large contingent), England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

Most Puissant Brother Gordon S. Griffiths, 33°, was invested and installed by M.P. Bro. H.D. Still, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, England and Wales, as the first Sovereign Grand Commander for the New Zealand Council. The following were then appointed as Council members and invested to office: V.P. Bro. J. E. Harwood, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander; M.Ill. Bro. J. B. Collett, 33°, Grand Prior; M.Ill. Bro. Ray O'Donnell, 33° (deceased), Grand Marshal; M.Ill. Bro. J. B. Christie, 33°, M.B.E., Grand Treasurer General; M. Ill. Bro. A. M. Dick, 33°, Grand Chamberlain; M.Ill. Bro. R. J. Avery, 33°, Grand Captain General; M. Ill. Bro. J. L. B. Stevens, 33°, Grand Secretary General. V.Ill. Bro. R. N. Lyon, 33°, Grand Director of Ceremonies (deceased).

Since the inauguration, M.Ill. Bro. R. D. Richmond, 33°, was appointed to Council as Grand Chancellor. M. Ill. Bro. G.L. Burton, 33°, having been admitted to Council, was invested as Grand Treasurer General; and M. Ill. Bro. Christie became Grand Marshal. Other appointments were: V.Ill. Bro. V. Rabone, 33°, as Grand Director of Ceremonies (now retired due to ill health); and Ill. Bro. S. E. B. Kiddle, Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Three original Council members have retired from office: M. Ill. Bro. Collett, M.Ill. Bro. J. L. B. Stevens, and M.Ill. Bro. Dick. In their stead, M.Ill. Bro. Hugh Lightwood 33°, was appointed Grand Prior; M.Ill. Bro. Dennis Clout 33°, Grand Chamberlain; and M.Ill. Bro. Berwyn Davies 33°, Grand Archivist; and V.Ill. Bro. F. J. Robins 33°, Grand Secretary General.

Among the present members of the New Zealand Council, there are two Past Grand Masters; two Past Deputy Grand Masters; a Past Grand Senior Warden, a Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; all of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. There is also a Past Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The New Zealand Council has 55 Chapters under its jurisdiction with a membership of 2,000. England retains one Chapter and Scotland about 20 Chapters.

In the first five years, M.Ill. Bro. Stevens was the motivator in the meritorious service of computerizing the entire membership of Chapters, with detail of rank, age, and years of service.
In accordance with obligations taken by the original members of the Supreme Council for England and Wales in 1845 to adhere to the Christian heritage, all members of the Supreme Council for New Zealand also signed similar obligations to uphold the Holy and Undivided Trinity principle and to see that their successors are likewise obligated.

The Grand Constitutions of 1786 are observed by the New Zealand Council with the higher Degrees conferred in extenso including the 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 33rd Degrees. There are four Chapters which present the Inter-mediate Degrees (4th to 17th).

The Supreme Council for New Zealand is in amity with the following Councils: England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Australia, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Portugal, and Switzerland.

The 18th Degree ritual followed by the New Zealand Chapters is of special interest to the practicing Christian as it moves through the steps of life, the links from Craft Masonry to higher levels, and, finally, a welcome to the living circle.

Master Masons of one year's standing are eligible to join. During what is known as the Ceremony of Perfection, each Candidate is instructed from the 4th to the 18th Degree in the one ceremony. Further advancement is by merit only in the Ancient and Accepted Rite Rose Croix (as we in New Zealand term the Order).

In this year, 2002, The Supreme Council for New Zealand introduced a special award for meritorious service to the Order, titled the Rose Croix d'Honneur (Rose Cross of Honour). There will be only 10 recipients holding this very special award at any one time.

In this country, as in most of the western world, there is a struggle to maintain membership in Freemasonry. In the Rose Croix Order in New Zealand, we are making every effort to sustain present levels of membership.