The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited

This is the corner of Crawford and Vogel Street, Dunedin

The following history of the company is taken from this site http://www.aviva.com/about-us/heritage/companies/general-accident-insurance-asia

On May 21 1859, the company held its first meeting, which was attended by many of Auckland's leading merchants and professional men. NZI was established by deed of settlement on June 3 1859 as the New Zealand Insurance Company and later incorporated under articles of association in 1862. According to an early advertisement, the company offered

"insurance from loss or damage by fire upon Houses and other Buildings, Goods, Wares, Merchandise and Manufactures, and Farming Stock of every description. The company will also take Marine risks both on Coasting and Foreign Trade".

The company's first policy was to insure the Kiwi, a small schooner, for £200. Soon after, it established its own fire brigade, a 28-man team under Captain Daldy, who was also one of the original directors. By 1897, the company was offering accident and indemnity insurance and, by 1905, had added plate glass and burglary to its business. On August 1 1906, the company was registered in Auckland as The New Zealand Insurance Company Ltd (company number 40123).

In 1910, the company issued its first motor policy and, in 1916, a trustee department was set up offering all classes of executor and agency business. In 1934, business was extended to offer aviation insurance. In 1965, in partnership with the Eagle Star and Welfare Insurance Company, the company formed the Insurance Company of East Africa to handle business in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

In 1981, the company merged with the South British Insurance Company Ltd and a new parent company, the New Zealand South British Group Ltd, was formed. The group changed its name to NZI Corporation Ltd in May 1984 and was acquired by General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd in 1989. The New Zealand Insurance Company Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of NZI Corporation Ltd, changed its name on November 1 1996 to General Accident Insurance Asia Ltd. In 2001, the company was disposed of by CGNU plc (later Aviva plc) and, on June 30 of the same year, was struck off the New Zealand Register of Companies.