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Wonderful piece. Looks like we've read many of the same books, have some of the same, and been looking at much of the same material. I want to spend time (years?) in your library. Have you examined the Knights Hospitalliers (https://www.orderofmalta.int/). I think they're even more snr. than the Freemasons. They're here too. I know because I found the cape of my ex-wife's father, well after he died, in her possession. This man. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/31441740

The Rothschilds' 1875 loan is also discussed here https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/books/ALMA1886-9917502413502836-An-historical-sketch-of-New-Zeald

BTW I used to work with Tony Simpson (advisor to Jim Anderton).

On a complete tangent, I thought this was a very interesting (and markedly different) old map of NZ (the so-called Yate's map). Supposedly made after Cook's map. Note the "Lake of Green Stone" is (about) exactly where significant gold mining is going on (https://oceanagold.com/operation/macraes/).

https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/1414

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The Hospitalliers appear to be the first of the militant, religions and civil orders. (see: The Monks of War: The Military Religious Orders by Desmond Seward). I haven't examined the Knights Hospitalliers in any depth. There is a book titled The Order of St John in New Zealand (Rex E. Wright-St Clair M.D., 1977), with his foreword written from Waikato Hospital, a Knight of St John). The Prior is headed by the Governor-General. At least 3 of the six board members are members of Order of St John, as I undestand it. Thnx for these website links!!

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