There were a number of keen Freemasons living in the Rangiora area (having been members of Rangiora Lodge, which had existed from 1880-1886), who decided, sometime after 1886, that Freemasonry should be revived and chose to call the Lodge "The Ashley Lodge".
They applied for a Charter and the first regular meeting of The Ashley Lodge was held in the Lodge Rooms, King Street, Rangiora on August 8th, 1878.
By 1881, it was decided by the Members to find better premises. To that end, a site was purchased in Percival street for £120. The building of the new rooms was started shortly thereafter.
On March 30th 1882 the building was consecrated with 115 Freemasons present. A special train was laid on from Christchurch for the occasion (at a cost of £15), and after the ceremony a 'sumptuous banquet' was held.
On the 30th of April 1890 The Ashley Lodge came under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Grand Lodge, only very recently formed, and became what it is today, the Ashley Lodge No 28 (NZC - New Zealand Constitution). On the 1st of May that year it held its first regular meeting.
Since the earthquakes and the demolition of the Lodge building we have been working towards the creation of a new building where we can, once again, meet under our own roof.
In the meantime we have been meeting in Amberley in the Lodge building owned by the Amberley Lodge (EC). EC means English Constitution. And this illustrates the point that Freemasonry is a world wide brotherhood, and uniquely in New Zealand, there is more than one Masonic Constitution in place.
Most New Zealand Freemasons belong to New Zealand Constitution Lodges - The Ashley Lodge is one such. But there are English, Scottish and Irish Constitution Lodges as well.
The key point is that whatever the Constitution we all get on together, we visit each others Lodges and have even been known to participate in each other ceremonies.