The New Zealand Insurance Company Ltd. was founded in Auckland in 1859. It became one of the country’s largest insurance companies. Since 2003, the NZI brand has been a subsidiary of IAG New Zealand Ltd. In 1918, NZI built a Stripped Classical structure on Queen Street as their headquarters. The nine floors designed by William Gummer qualified as one of the city’s first high-rises. Their trademark clock was transferred from an earlier building. After an extensive renovation in 2003, the Guardian Trust Building became the Guardian Apartments.
