BNZ rolls up its sleeves for good causes

The BNZ's community service projects include assisting at the Auckland SPCA. Photo / Martin Sykes

BNZ branches will be closed around the country tomorrow as 3500 staff carry out volunteer work for community projects.

The "Closed for Good" initiative will require 177 store closures so bank staff can lend a hand to community groups including the Salvation Army, the Auckland Deaf Society and SPCA.

Community groups were asked to apply to the bank with projects that needed support and the bank received 858 submissions.

Bank staff will be working on over 500 projects nationally - including 154 in Auckland.

BNZ CEO Andrew Thorburn said the bank had received a great response from the community through their closedforgood.org website.

"I'm personally looking forward to getting out there and lending a helping hand on the day."

The bank's customers will still be able to do their banking by internet, phone or at an ATM.

If customers have urgent banking to do on the day, BNZ will have a skeleton staff they can call on at 0800 24 00 00.

* Helping out

Projects staff are working on in Auckland include:

Assisting with a variety of tasks at the SPCA Auckland.

Coastal/beach clean-up for the Waitemata Harbour Clean-Up Trust.

Repainting the den for the 1st Devonport Scout Group.

Helping to sell strawberries and icecream at Hospice Strawberry Festival.

Sorting donated goods for the Salvation Army.

Fence painting at the Auckland Deaf Society.