Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalo’s Medallion

Buffalo lodges in New Zealand are part of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), a fraternal organisation that arrived here in the early 20th century as the movement spread through the former British Empire. The lodges built a quiet but steady presence across the country, with branches in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, the West Coast, and many regional towns. Their focus has long been fellowship, charitable support, and mutual aid — assisting members, families, and local community groups through discreet philanthropy.

Historical records show active New Zealand lodges from at least the 1920s onward, including minute books, regalia, and publications such as The Buffalo Gazette, reflecting a well‑organised network with its own ceremonies, governance, and local leadership.

Although membership has declined in recent decades — with some lodges merging or going into recess — the RAOB tradition remains valued for its camaraderie, service ethos, and its role in community life. In places like Tauranga, long‑standing lodges such as Redoubt No. 98 once drew dozens of members and contributed generously to local causes, illustrating the order’s enduring social footprint even as numbers have waned.