The New Zealand Empire Veterans Association was formed in 1901. The idea was proposed by the Governor, the Earl of Ranfurly at a meeting with Auckland Veterans in June 1900. The inaugural meeting of the Association was held in Auckland the following year. Membership was open to both Colonial and Imperial ex-Servicemen. Earlier associations of veterans had been more restricted in their membership. The Wellington-based New Zealand Veterans Association, formed in 1897 was restricted to New Zealand Medal holders, and the Imperial Naval and Military Veterans Association, to veterans of British units.

At the inaugural meeting of the held on 31 May 1901, the Earl of Ranfurly was named as president of the new association. The rules adopted at this meeting provided that "all members of Imperial naval and military forces, with decorations, or who have completed 10 years' service, are eligible for membership, also all members of the colonial forces who were in active service in New Zealand prior to January 1, 1870, and all volunteers who have served in South Africa and thereby become entitled to a medal. The rules of course excepted persons dismissed or deserted from the Empire's forces. The objects of the Association are set forth as purely philanthropic." Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 3