NZI Celebrates 150 Years

On May 21st 2009 NZI celebrates its 150th birthday, making us New Zealand's oldest insurance brand.

Our company was founded May 21 in 1859, less than 20 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, in a very young Auckland City — population 9,000. The closely spaced wooden buildings of the time meant the risk of fire was a daily concern and this created demand for financial protection against the loss of houses, buildings and stock.

NZI has been tried and tested over its 150 years and we've amassed a very rich historical record as we've progressed from New Zealand's first indigenous insurance company to membership of a large global insurance group.

Brokers have been by our side since the Second World War and have become the cornerstone of our business.

Thank you to all our customers who have supported NZI and contributed to making NZI the trusted, respected brand it is today.

We have developed a 150-year logo to celebrate our significant milestone. It is derived from the original 1859 NZI Crest and has the Latin inscription Adverso Fortior, meaning Strength in Adversity.