Welcome to Phoenix New Zealand Lodge No 1 I.O.O.F. The only operating Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Australasia in New Zealand.

We are a Co-Fraternal Lodge operating in the Waikato of New Zealand under a Charter Granted from the Grand Lodge of Australasia in September 2023. The purposes of our Lodge are fraternal, Social and Charitable and we are not a Friendly Society like our predecessor Lodges.

Odd Fellowship dates back several hundred years to a time when several Trade Fraternities came together as one combined fraternity hence the name of Odd Fellowship, the members being from an Odd Assortment of Trades. The purposes of that fellowship were to pool resources in a common box so as to be able to provide financial assistance to members during hard times. The idea caught on and it grew across England. In the early 19th Century the first Lodge was opened in America, however it wasn't until 18919 that the American Movement really got started. The Phoenix New Zealand Lodge No 1, takes its traditions from the American Order as we have been set up under the Grand Lodge of Australasia which is part of the American system.

In its previous incarnation in New Zealand, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the second largest Friendly Society in New Zealand. It arrived here in New Zealand in 1862, in Otago, with those who came seeking their fortunes on the Otago Goldfields. The first Lodge named Pioneer was started up and other lodges opened up, and in 1868 the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was constituted, with the Grand Lodge of Australasia being set up in 1878. The Order in New Zealand grew to over 200 lodges, and like other Friendly Societies, were at the height of their powers in 1938. In that year the combined total membership of all Friendly Societies in New Zealand reached its maximum membership level of over 110,000 Men, Women and Juveniles. But as the Welfare State had effectively turned the whole of New Zealand into one great Friendly Society, the need for the old voluntary based Friendly Orders slowly diminished. By the year 2010 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was a mere shadow of its former glory and in 2014 the Society was officially wound up. The last original Lodges closed during the Pandemic.

You might think that was the end of this Order in New Zealand and it might have been were it not for a small group of Friends who in past years had a connection with Ponsonby's historic I.O.O.F. Lodge Hall. Quite ironically, they had all shifted away from Auckland and settled in Hamilton. After some due enquiries with the Grand Lodge of Australasia, a committee was formed, with "Lodge" meetings being held at members homes in Hamilton under permission from the Grand Lodge of Australasia. Phoenix New Zealand Lodge No 1 was formed.

Later the members made contact with Past Grand Master Odd Fellow, Bro. Trevor Service J.P. who became a good friend of the lodge and helped them to find a permanent meeting place. The Freemasons Hall in Grey Street, Hamilton East. Another Grand Master of the former Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Bro. Maseman, also lent a hand and the Lodge was presented with a number of items from closed lodges, that have assisted us in getting established.

Phoenix New Zealand Lodge No 1 was finally Chartered under the Grand Lodge of Australasia in September of 2023 and is the only lodge of this order operational in New Zealand at present. This Lodge it is worth noting, is not a benefit lodge. It has been set up simply to preserve the Fraternal aspect of the I.O.O,F for the benefit of a new generation of Brothers and Sisters. Furthermore, the Lodge was was established to provide a place of calling for Brothers and Sisters from overseas who visit New Zealand. So far we have been host to several overseas visitors.

Our aim is to preserve in this Country the unique traditions of American Odd Fellowship. We look forward to welcome in a new generation of Brothers and Sisters who believe in helping one another and the community through a unique social fellowship steeped in tradition and history and based on rock solid values. Our traditions date back hundreds of years. Members are part of an international movement, and meetings are based on ancient tradition and protocol.

In 2026 do you have what it takes to step up and become ODD?

Email us for any membership enquiries.