Humm.. Is everything on that Bass original as far as you know including the Varnish?
A maker from London by the name of John Devereux moved to Melbourne Australia in 1854 and he sort of founded the Australian School of Bass/Violin making. The English made both Italian and German looking Basses. Your Bass resembles Basses I have seen made in the north or England by James Cloe but without the outer Rib Linings/moldings. It also looks like a German type Bass from the Markneukirchen area made in the early 20th century. Cole would date in the latter 19th century. It is not out of the question that your Bass was made locally. It is very possible.
Regardless, it looks like a well made Bass. Do you think that '1915 in Auckland NZ' has something to do with the making of the Bass or maybe just a local dealer or shop's label?
Please get us all the standard measurements. The Ribs do not include the top and back, just inside them only. Lower and upper bouts at the widest and center at the narrowest width. The Top from end to end in length, the Back from bottom to over the neck button and the vibrating string length with the bridge centered between the notches.
The Gears are German and match the date of 1915 give or take as I have seen these on many Basses. Often they were replacing older gears and sometimes when converted to 4-string from 3. This looks like a Germanic style 4-sting Bass made in the period marked but that doesn't mean it's German. That Loop in the Back is usually connected like this on here;
Here is the Back shot of an early 20th century German Bass;
It is also a fairly large Bass. Here are its measurements to compare;
Upper Bout: 20 3/4"
Center Bout: 15"
Bottom Bout: 26 7/8"
String Length: 42 3/8" (after Block Cut)
Belly Length: 44 1/4" (After block cut)
Rib Depth: 8" (Upper Bout tapers from 8" to 6 1/4")
Also, here's the Scroll of an old Italian Bass of mine with similar gears to yours. My gears seem older and slightly different but definitely similar in make and style. This was a 3-string and was converted to 4 within the last 100 years or less;
Gears and/or shape alone do not identify a Bass, especially the Gears.
http://members.aol.com/violinmakers/violinmakers.html (35 makers listed from New Zealand and 308 in Australia.
http://www.abcviolins.com/ozmakers.html
1915 in Auckland NZ? 
