Buffalo Lodge

Friendly Societies were set up mainly to provide insurance-related benefits for members and their families. These included benefits payable on sickness, annuities in old age, funeral benefits, life insurance and medical benefits. Lodges were governed by the Friendly Societies Act which came into force from 1 January 1878 and covered those societies which already existed, but specified that all societies must have a minimum of seven members. Persons under the age of 21 but above the age of 16 could be members, and branches that consisted solely of members of any age under 16 years but exceeding three years could be registered under the Act.

The lodge movement in Port Chalmers was strengthened by new arrivals to the port. The Druids Hall (as it was known) was built in Currie Street in 1907. Besides their ‘social security’ schemes the Druids had an active programme of social events.

Today Buffalo Lodge has been transformed to accommodate modern living requirements and is being run as a successful Air Bnb.  Centrally located in Port Chalmers at 7 Currie Street, Buffalo Lodge is a popular retreat for visitors.