Key Historical Events
Learn about important historical events that have helped shape the growth of the Orange Order New Zealand over the past 18 decades – from key international visitors, to riots, and notable national gatherings.
July Celebrations Parade arriving at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church circa 1960.
The church was destroyed in the 2011 earthquakes and has since been rebuilt.
Special celebrations
12th July – the anniversary of The Battle Of The Boyne was observed by all lodges in the colony. These functions were very well attended. In 1875 over 700 attended the function in Auckland. In 1877 the first New Zealand Orange Procession took place in Auckland. It was well attended, between 300 and 400 members from sixteen of the twenty five lodges took part. Members came from as far away as the Waikato, Gisborne and Napier as well as all the city lodges. The procession included a band and banners.
Celebrations are also held in November, being the month of the birth of King William III after whom the Orange Order is named, and who arrived in England in November 1688 to take over the throne from King James II.
In 2008 the centennial of the merged Grand Lodge of New Zealand was held in Wellington. Visitors came from all over the world to the functions and it was a splendid occasion.
Other special occasions have been debutante balls when the debutantes were presented to the Grand Master of the Day. These functions were indeed highlights and were attended by civic dignitaries, Members of Parliament etc.
Grand Master – Most Worshipful Brother William James with debutantes
Winter Garden Christchurch, May 1961.
Left to right: Kaye Davies, Beverley Chatterton, Noreen Martin, Jill Montgomery.
Riots
On Boxing Day in 1879 riots took place in Christchurch and Timaru. Members of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society were going to Prebbleton for a picnic. As they neared the railway station a number of Roman Catholics who were employed at the Christchurch Drainage Works met at the Borough Hotel for the purpose of preventing the picnic from going ahead. An attack was made on the picnickers, some of whom were severely wounded. One Orange brother had his skull so badly fractured, he was bed ridden for several months. Legal proceedings were instituted and the Law Courts sent several rioters to gaol for various terms of imprisonment – up to eighteen months with hard labour. The riot in Christchurch became known as the “Battle of the Borough.”
Overseas visitors
Over the years New Zealand has been visited by Orange members from all over the world. In the very early days, despite travel being slow and difficult, the Deputy Grand Master of the United States visited in 1885. In 1890 our special visitor was Right Honourable Earl of Onslow, K.C.M.G. In 1960 Imperial Grand Master Bro. Ashmore Kidd attended the Grand Lodge Sessions held in Christchurch. In 1980 the Grand Master of Togo visited and in 1994 the Imperial Orange Council was held in Auckland. We were honoured with visitors from Australia, Canada, United States, Togo, Ghana, Ireland, and England.