NZ’s largest ATM network now features Te Reo Māori

Users of New Zealand’s largest ATM network will from today be able to do their banking in Te Reo Māori.

All of ANZ’s 650 ATMs throughout New Zealand now give users the choice of using Te Reo, coinciding with the start of Māori Language Week.

“Te Reo Māori is fundamental to our national identity and this is a milestone in our commitment to the language. We hope this gives people another opportunity to use Te Reo in daily life,” said Antonia Watson, ANZ’s Managing Director Retail and Business Banking.

To mark the occasion, colourful artwork from the students at the bi-lingual unit of Sylvia Park School Te Puna Waiora, was unveiled at the ATM at ANZ’s 205 Queen St branch in Auckland.

The students were asked to create designs in the theme of ‘Why Te Reo is important to them’. Each individual design was then compiled and now features on four ATMs in Auckland and Wellington.

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Students from the bi-lingual unit of Sylvia Park School Te Puna Waiora worked with ANZ on the ATM design - download video here:

One of the young artists was Paul Morunga Edwards, who designed the huia bird and waves on the ATM.

“First we got into groups to think of ideas about why Te Reo is important. I think it’s because it’s part of our country. It’s also special to learn so I can spread it with everyone else. It’s not scary, that’s why I think everyone should give it a try,” Paul said.

Sylvia Park School Principal Barbara Ala’alatoa said working with ANZ on the ATM design has reinforced the importance of projects linked to cultural identity.

“For kids to be able to change the world, for them to be able to know they’ve got a place in it, they need to know who they are. Their cultural identity is hugely important to them to be able to stand tall,” Ms Ala’alatoa said.

ANZ has five staff affinity groups, including a Māori and Pacific group, who played an important role in the translation and delivery of this project.

As well as English and Te Reo Māori, ATMs are available in Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.