Gary Hawke and Ralph Lattimore presented the paper History of NZAE 20 July 05 at the New Zealand Association of Economists Meetings, Christchurch, June 2005. The paper is work in progress, intended to stimulate input into a history of the first 50 years of the NZ Association of Economists which will be celebrated in 2009. If it is quoted, its preliminary nature should be respected. Hawke, Head of the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, Gary.Hawke@vuw.ac.nz, Lattimore, consulting economist, Hope, Ralph.Lattimore@xtra.co.nz. The authors acknowledge the valuable library assistance of Sarah Spring and advice from John Yeabsley.