$30m addition to Tauranga's skyline open

A $30 million addition to Tauranga's skyline opened today with the words "a stunning day for the opening of a stunning building in a stunning city."

The ANZ Centre on the corner of Cameron Rd and Elizabeth St was opened by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, who paid a big tribute to everyone who had made the project happen, from the investors and architect to the builder and tenants.

"A thank you for doing something truly special for the business community."

Mr Bridges said the building was a real sign of confidence during a worldwide time of economic difficulties.

"It is a stunningly good looking building."

He envisaged cross-pollination among the tenants which included the ANZ bank, accountants KPMG and Staples Rodway, lawyers Cooney Lees Morgan, and Bayleys Real Estate.

ANZ's commercial and agri business regional manager Lorraine Mapu said it was the bank's first regional centre in the Bay of Plenty and they were really excited to be in the building.

Richard Cashmore, chairman of the owners' group Troop Investments, said building a complex like the ANZ Centre could create rifts and problems. Instead he had been part of an extremely happy group that worked well together.

The ANZ Bank's regional head office will occupy about half of the third floor.