The first Charter granted in New Zealand by the Great Priory of Scotland, was that of the Otago Preceptory, which was Consecrated on 31 May 1869. The next three Charters to be granted was in the year 1921, these being De Molay in Auckland, St. Augustine in Christchurch, and the Wellington Preceptory.  So you will appreciate that with the exception of Otago, De Molay is one of the three original Charters granted in New Zealand.

The original Charter was a peripatetic or “walking charter,” and should the occasion arise, could be used anywhere in New Zealand.  So far as we are aware, no other Charter in New Zealand has ever had this special feature until the formation of the Bodyguard Preceptory No. 43.  Our records show that meetings were held in Hamilton on a number of occasions.

The first meetings to be held in Auckland were in Belgium Street, a street that no longer exists.  The Preceptory then met in the Masonic Temple, St. Benedicts Street where it continued for many years. The next move was to Highland Park, Howick in 1985..

Many prominent Freemasons have been members of this Preceptory under the Great Priory of Scotland, including Edgar Faber, Preceptor 1948; and Jack Redwood, Preceptor 1963. In 1974 Ven.Fr. Fergus Schischka was awarded his KCT and installed as District Grand Prior on the same day.

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