The Federation was formed in 1966 and was incorporated as a Society on 21 September 1967, initially with six affiliated Associations covering the major areas of New Zealand - Auckland, Waikato, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury and Southland primarily representing employers.

In 2002 the Federation operations were amended to embrace all masonry tradesmen employees, or employer working in New Zealand.

A Country Association was created to supplement the existing 6 Regional Associations.

Governance of the Federation is in the hands of an Executive, elected at each annual conference, and comprises a President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, two North Island members, two South Island members and an Executive Officer.

The Federation exists solely to serve and advance the interests of its affiliates and their members and in order to assist them, provides input and/or representation into the following:

• Promotion and advancement of the masonry trade.
• Government departments with representation on matters of direct importance to the trade; legislative, policy, fiscal, industrial and so on.
• Merchants and manufacturers with representation on matters of quality, technical information, discounts, and so on.
• Standards Association of New Zealand with input into the formulation of Standards which have a bearing on the trade.
• Government publications where review and/or comment may be made on Statutory Regulations, Acts, Awards, and so on.
• Liaison with the NZ Employers Federation, NZ SubContractors Association and other agencies of common interest.
• Masonry Training Industry Organisation representation to ensure that training needs are established, and an adequate supply of trained journeymen is available to the industry. Close liaison is maintained with technical institutes to ensure training standards are met.
• Registration of industry personnel with representation on, and full support for, the NZ Masonry Trades Registration Board - Registered Structural Masons.
• Registration of industry personnel demonstrating experienced trade skills as Registered Master Bricklayers.

In turn, the Affiliated Regional Associations translate the actions of the Federation into their local communities and provide the following services:

• Regular meetings of members where information is shared and disseminated. Trade evenings are held where product information is gained, and new products and techniques are introduced.
• Inspection in circumstances where disputes have arisen between client and contractor.
• Promotion of the trade, and apprenticeships through membership of the local apprenticeship committee.
• Liaison with local specifiers to aid in achieving the most suitable end result.
• Encouraging registration of their members to ensure work skills are of the highest possible standard.