BNZ staff do a good tern

In what was New Zealand’s single largest day of corporate volunteering – Wednesday August 23 – all BNZ stores ‘Closed for Good’ as more than 3000 staff headed out into their local communities to work on more than 550 projects.

In Northland alone there were 11 projects, and BNZ CEO Anthony Healy was thrilled to see such a diverse range of projects submitted this year.

One project of local interest was at the Mangawhai Wildlife Reserve where the team worked to build fences and safeguard the habitat of the endangered fairy tern.

“Community groups do some amazing work throughout New Zealand and we take real pleasure in being able to give back in this small way, whether it’s by picking up a paint brush, planting native trees, providing budgeting advice or running financial literacy workshops,” said Healey.

Other projects included assisting with conservation work to protect the kiwi at Marunui Conservation, planting native trees for Dragonfly Springs Wetland Sanctuary, sorting through donations for Foster Hope Northland, cleaning and repairs at the Whangarei Croquet Club and delivering financial literacy sessions at Hurupaki School, Whangarei.

Though stores were closed there was no disruption for BNZ customers as business- and call centre staff were still on hand for urgent services and all online and mobile banking services were fully available as usual. n Visit closedforgood.org for more information.

GIVING BACK: Pictured at Mangawhai Widlife Reserve is, from left, Gray Lynskey, Aaron Watkin, Ayla Wiles (DOC), Harrison Tocher, Diane Wright, John Waugh and Andrew Robb.