In turn, Ford of Canada established privately owned agencies in those various Empire states to handle the business.

The "daylight factory" design had evolved over the past 20 years, and it made extensive use of glass for natural light and ventilation.

The neo-classical façade facing Seaview Road also typical of Ford's worldwide image - this highly-attractive frontage and well-tended gardens hid the functional role of the building.

There was no mistaking who occupied the impressive new building - the largest neon sign in the southern hemisphere was mounted on the roof, facing Seaview Road and out over the harbour towards Wellington city, from where it was visible!

The first cars built were the current 1936 Model 68 V8, which arrived CBD (completely broken-down) in wooden crates shipped from Ford of Canada.

In September, 1937 the British Model C was replaced by the Ford Ten 7W, a revised version of which was known as the E93A, released in New Zealand in March, 1939.

Civilian car production resumed in 1946 which was also the year assembly of the Fordson tractor was introduced in New Zealand.

Generations of New Zealanders grew up with Anglias, Escorts, Cortinas, Zephyrs and Zodiacs just as New Zealand's immediately preceding generation grew up with Canadian sourced (for Imperial Preference tariffs) but locally assembled Model Ts, Model As and Ford V8s.

In common with other countries in the Asia Pacific region, Ford New Zealand marketed the Mazda-based Laser and Telstar, which replaced the British Escort and Cortina in the early 1980s.

[7] Ford Australia switched to importing those models from Japan with the closure of its plant in Homebush West, Sydney.

In addition, Australian-built Fords like the Falcon, and its General Motors rival, the Holden Commodore, could now be imported New Zealand duty-free.