ANZ branch re-opens in Tauranga with new name

ANZ New Zealand has re-opened an extensively refurbished branch in Tauranga, reinforcing its commitment to customers in the region.

The branch combines the staff and resources of Tauranga’s two central Tauranga branches at the refurbished site on Eleventh Ave.

Grant Knuckey, ANZ NZ Managing Director for Personal Banking, said the opening of the branch yesterday marks a new beginning for ANZ in Tauranga.

“Our connection to Tauranga reaches back more than 150 years and we’re thrilled to open this branch.

“It’s a demonstration of our commitment to the region and its communities, and will provide a better experience for Tauranga customers.”

The branch features free parking and access for customers and a 24/7 ATM lobby with coin deposit facilities.

ANZ’s site on Grey St closed and all of that branch’s staff have moved to the Eleventh Ave site.

Tauranga was one of the National Bank’s earliest branches and was opened in 1873. The bank’s first Inspector’s Report in 1874 reports that the population of Tauranga was 350 and Auckland was reached by a bi-weekly steamer that took almost 18 hours.

The branch on Eleventh Ave is now called Te Hōpua O Tauranga Moana, which is a name significant to manawhenua.

Te Hōpua was a large pool significant in Tauranga, where fish would gather and lay their eggs - symbolizing a nurturing environment and reflecting ANZ’s core purpose: To shape a world where people and communities thrive.

Tauranga Moana, (the seas of Tauranga) refers to central Tauranga as a place of unity and convergence, where all the streams come together. This reflects how our people come together to support our customers and the community.

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In pride of place at Te Hōpua O Tauranga Moana is a carving which has been relocated from the Grey St site and restored. The carving is a pare, or door lintel, which are normally found over the entrances to a Whare Tūpuna.

The carving’s figures represent the seven principles of life. The background Manaia patterns join the carving together, represent the interaction and complexities of life.

ANZ Head of Te Ao Māori Strategy, Karleen Everitt, says these elements reflect ANZ’s commitment to its Te Ao Māori strategy, Tākiri-ā-Rangi.

“This is an example of how ANZ is trying to better integrate Te Ao Māori across our network of branches.

“The pare represents a strong connection to the past and to the people and communities of Tauranga.”

Cutting the ribbon at ANZ Te Hōpua O Tauranga Moana follows the opening in November of ANZ’s Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (Gisborne) branch.

The Tauranga branch is located at 159 Eleventh Ave and is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.

For media enquiries contact: David Rowe 021 221 6625