28/05/2026
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The Māori Brethren Association has had a busy few months recognising several Masters who have taken the Chair of the Lodge by presenting the “Charge to an Incoming Māori Master”.
Michael Bailey (Known as TikTok Widowstama) became the Master of Lodge Wangamomona No. 234 on 11 April 2026 and was presented with the charge by Rima Tamaiparea-Puki. .
Doug McWatters, who became the Master of the Alpha Lodge No. 81 in Cambridge on 9 May 2026, was presented with the Charge by Mark Fraser, Past Grand Superintendent of Ceremonies. In attendance was Kane Wharepouri, Master of the Waitomo Lodge No. 469, who took the Chair last year. Doug McWatters was also clothed in a Korowai during the ceremony. Speeches were made in Te Reo, and a waiata was sung to make it a memorable evening for all attending. The Māori Brethren Association was formed to support Freemasons of Māori descent in their journey. The Association will participate in a ceremony if invited to do so, as was the case on 7 April 2026 at Lodge Rangitane No. 365, where they took the Officers' positions for the raising of Sebastian Thompson to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
The “Charge to an Incoming Māori Master” has its origins in the words of the first Māori King, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, who had visited England and saw how the British Empire was organised. In his speech of acceptance of the Kingship, he stressed the spirit of unity symbolised by the Kingship, likening his position to the 'eye of the needle through which the white, black and red threads must pass'. He called on his people to 'hold fast to love, to the law, and to faith in God'.
Kotahitanga
“Kotahi te kohau o te ngira, kakuhuna te miro ma,
Te miro whero, me te miro pango”.
“Herenga e nei miro e tuia tatou, i roto it e kotahitanga o te tumanako, te whakapono, me te aroha”.
Which is thus briefly translated as:
“There is but one eye of the needle, through which must pass,
the white, the red and the black cottons”.
“Thread these cottons, and sew us together as one in Freemasonry
in peace, in charity, and in love and forsaking all else”
These cottons denote the colour of the different races, and the red cotton signifying blood, the colour that flows through the veins of everyone, irrespective of race, creed or colour.
Photos - The Needle and the Threads presented to incoming Masters, The Alpha Lodge No 81 Installation and Lodge Rangitane No 365 Master Mason Degree.
