The Master of the Rongotea lodge welcomes visitors to the Rongotea Lodge No 146. The Lodge meets on the second Wednesday of each month except January at 7:30pm at the Rongotea Masonic Hall 22 Tamar Street Rongotea.

Rongotea is a small, close-knit, rural township located 25 kms Southwest from Palmerston North with a population of 635 residents that really enjoy the friendly rural atmosphere. Rongotea School boasts over 200 pupils up to year eight and Te Kawau playcentre provides learning and fun for our little ones. Many local businesses and retailers including a dairy, garage, hardware store, tavern and two fish & chip shops provide locals with more than just the basic necessities. Rongotea is also home to five churches of the original six established.

In spring, residents and visitors to the town admire the beautiful cherry trees that are blossoming on every street in the town and dazzling new Christmas lights enhance the town during the festive season. On Christmas Eve each year Santa visits each street on the Fire Engine, visiting children, playing carols and giving out lollies. The new Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Centre is a real asset to the area and is the home of Te Kawau Rugby.

Two big landowners in Otago were responsible for the founding of the township of Rongotea and the surrounding district. Partners in the enterprise were the Hon Robert Campbell of Otekaike  and John Douglas of Mt Royal. Campbell and Douglas bought the 21,400 acre "Oroua Downs Estate" in the Township of Carnarvon for the bargain price of 12 shillings and six pence per acre.

Because the land had been declared a special settlement area, under the terms of the contract Campbell and Douglas had to settle at least 70 families on their block. Campbelltown - with Douglas Square as its central feature - was the result. The name of the town was changed to Rongotea in 1895, as there were already two settlements called Campbelltown in other parts of New Zealand. Meaning "peaceful place", Rongotea was chosen by the Manawatu County Council after consulting with Methodist missionary minister Thomas Hammond. Rangitane Maori say the name recalls a local chief who kept his people at peace amid surrounding warlike tribal groups.

Please visit our Lodge History page to read about the fascinating beginnings of the Lodge.

You can write to us in the Contact Us section. Driving directions can be found below.

The pictures at the top of the page are of the War Memorial, the saleyards and the TeKawa Rugby Clubrooms.