ANZ in the Pacific: A look down memory lane

ANZ’s presence in the Pacific began in Fiji in 1880 and over time, we have continued to expand and refine our footprint. A look through ANZ’s archives reveals how much things have changed and yet how much they have stayed the same.

Connection – then and now

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Print advertisement showcasing our unique network in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Supporting trade flows between the Pacific and our home markets – then and now.

Fiji

ANZ was established in the old capital of Levuka as the Union Bank of Australia in 1880. We set up our first Suva branch in 1883.

Today, we have branches, ATMs, and EFTPOS services country-wide, as well as digital banking channels for customers.

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ANZ’s Suva branch, 1950s

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Newspaper advertisement promoting ANZ in Fiji in the 1960s

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Newspaper advertisement promoting our air-conditioned ANZ Lautoka branch in 1968.

Tonga

ANZ celebrated our 30^th anniversary in Tonga last month.

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A photo of our ANZ Nuku'alofa branch in the 1990s.

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Former ANZ Chief Executive Officer John McFarlane toasting Crown Prince of Tonga, His Royal Highness George Tupou V in the 1990s

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In January 2022, ANZ donated $50,000 to the Red Cross to support Tonga’s rebuild, following the tsunami and underwater volcano eruption which caused damage to buildings and homes.

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Five months later, ANZ Regional Executive Pacific Sarah Stubbings (centre), visits the ANZ offices in Nuku'alofa to cement ANZ’s commitment to Tonga.

Solomon Islands

Since establishing our presence in the Solomon Islands in 1966, we've grown to become a strong financial institution, with staff dedicated to helping both our local and international customers.

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ANZ’s Honiara branch in 1982

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ANZ staff at our Honiara branch, Solomon Islands, 1983

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In November 2005, ANZ launched mobile banking in the Solomon Islands to help extend services to the unbanked. This rural banking model aimed to deliver basic, affordable and reliable banking services in partnership with the United Nations Development Program.

Samoa

ANZ was established in Samoa in 1991, then trading as Bank of Western Samoa. In 1997 Bank of Western Samoa changed its name to ANZ Bank Samoa. 

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A proud moment for two of our ANZ staff members who were Olympic torch bearers in 2000. Their selection was also recognition of ANZ’s contribution to the economic growth of Samoa.

Cook Islands

Since establishing a presence in Rarotonga in 1988, ANZ has grown to become one of the main financial institutions in the Cook Islands.

Most of our staff are bilingual and are trained to assist both local and international customers with a wide range of personal and business banking requirements.

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In 1998, staff celebrated our 10^th anniversary in the Cook Islands.

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In 2007, our team in the Cook Islands celebrated the launch of Beam Net, our customer information system.

Victoria Kanevsky is Communications Manager, Pacific, for ANZ