New Zealand - Officials of the Wellington Automobile Association at work - An overseas tourist's car comes ashore under the supervision of an official of the association - 9/9/1936 - Unknown Photographer - Originally published in "The Weekly News" #335398 Read more on AA The AA has a long and admirable history in New Zealand. Founded in 1903, the AA has grown from a pioneering automobile club to an organisation that offers motoring advice, insurance, finance, maps and travel guides. It's regarded as the leading advocate for New Zealand motorists and their interests. How it all began In early May 1903, Dr George Thomas Humphrey de Clive Lowe posted a letter to approximately 20 motoring enthusiasts, asking if they would be interested in starting an automobile club. A couple of weeks later, on 26 May 1903, Dr de Clive Lowe and six others met to discuss a proposal and by the end of the evening they had formed the Auckland Automobile Association (AAA). On 4 September 1903, the inaugural meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association (CAA) took place. Following closely behind in 1904 was Nelson, and in 1905 Otago and Wellington associations were formed. By 1930 there were at least 15 associations: Whanganui (1907), Hawkes Bay (1911), Wairarapa (1912), Marlborough (1913), South Canterbury (1913), South Taranaki (1914), North Auckland (1915), Oamaru (1923), New Plymouth (1924) and Manawatu (1928). The inauguration of an association, or club, was celebrated with a 'run'. The first run was organised by the AAA in 1903 and five cars took part, driving from Symonds Street to Howick. 'Runs' soon became part of life in the motoring clubs and it was not long before they involved more adventurous routes and distances. The CAA was the first to introduce motor racing, organising 'the great automobile gymkhana' on Boxing Day 1905 at Addington. The automobile associations pioneered the concept of the New Zealand driver's licence. In 1903 the AAA issued 'Certificates of Competency' to those who passed the exam. However, from 1925 local bodies began issuing the licences. The associations adopted a lobbying role very early on - the two major issues of concern to them being road improvement and the tax burden on motorists. The AAA launched the first campaign 'Better Roads' in 1904 and over the following two decades the campaign consumed much of it resources. Continue reading https://www.aa.co.nz/about/the-aa/history-of-the-aa/