In 1903, the first motorised fire engine in Australasia was the pride of the fleet at Wanganui Brigade, the fire engine was a ‘Merryweather Automobile Steam Fire Engine’. Three years later in 1906, Wellington and Auckland also took possession of these ‘self-propelled’ machines.

The Fire Brigades act - the first legislation devoted specifically to fire protection - was signed into existence in 1906. This set up fire boards in metropolitan areas, levied costs on Government, local authorities and insurance companies and established the role of Inspector of Fire Brigades.