I have taken some extracts from the Hutt City Library site from the page
Lower Hutt Past and Present (1941)

I highly recommend a visit to their site for some wonderful info and photos of that district and the early settlers.

I am doing some short overviews from their database:

journal 1 - settlers of LOWER HUTT 1839 - 1941

journal 2 - the PILGRIM MOTHERS of the Hutt Valley

journal 3 - PETONE's first 100 years, - list of names

journal 4 - PETONE men who fell WWI - list of names

journal 5 - FREEMASONRY - Ulster Lodge No. 62

journal 6 - LOYAL PETONE LODGE - No, 6542

journal 7 - Ancient Order Of Foresters - COURT EPUNI, 7314

journal 8 - INDEPENANT ORDER OF RECHABITES

journal 9 - PETONE Branch - Hibernian Australasian Society 1910

journal 10 - PETONE PIONEER BRANCH - Oddfellows

journal 11 - HERETAUNGA LODGE & STAR of PETONE LODGE

journal 12 - PONEKE LODGE - Ancient Order of DRUIDS

journal 13 - PETONE Town Board - formed 1881

journal 14 - HUTT RIVER BOARD - formed 1879


(additions in italics or capitals are mine)
- (remember the article was written in 1941)


INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDELLOWS
HERETAUNGA LODGE No. 115
STAR OF PETONE LODGE No. 45

... The Independent Order of Oddfellows established a subordinate lodge in New Zealand in the year 1862, and since that time has spread from the North Cape to the Bluff, until to-day there are 255 male (subordinate lodges) and 82 Rebekah lodges, with 20,000 members.
The order, through sound policies, has accumulated large reserves, and each valuation discloses large actuarial surpluses. All funds (sick and funeral) of each lodge are controlled by the Grand Lodge, and thus all lodges (male and female) are insured against any extraordinarily large expenditure on these accounts. This ensures that no lodges of this order will be weak financially.
The Heretaunga Lodge No. 115 was established on August 7, 1924, through the efforts of several members resident in Petone, with the assistance of the Wellington Centre. It was recognized then that, Petone being a growing district, there was a necessity for the order to open here, to assist its own members resident here, and their friends. From that date, when the lodge opened with 25 members, it has steadily grown and has taken its place in the community alongside other orders for the relief of sickness, etc., until to-day, it is recognized as fulfilling all the obligations of the order?Friendship, Love and Truth.
The society being non-political and non-sectarian, all can combine for the good of the community and without prejudice to their beliefs, political or otherwise. Following its ideals, and to give the same ideals to the gentler sex, the Star of Petone Lodge No. 45 was established on July 25, 1925. Both lodges meet regularly for mutual relief, after which meetings social gatherings complete the evenings, so that all may broaden their outlook.