New Bethlehem bank opens

Gloomy weather failed to put a dampener on the official opening of the new ANZ bank at Bethlehem Shopping Centre this morning.

The bank is the eighth ANZ branch in Tauranga and means customers in Bethlehem, Te Puna and Omokoroa will no longer need to travel to Greerton or 11th Avenue.


ANZ Bethlehem staff with the new noise absorbing privacy curtains designed by Weta Workshop.


Tauranga City Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout speaks at the opening.

It was officially opened by Tauranga City Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout and ANZ northern region general manager David Graham, before students from Te Wharekura o Mauao, Bethlehem performed a welcome haka followed by a blessing.

Bethlehem Town Centre manager Andrew Wadsworth says people who once had to travel into Tauranga to do their banking with ANZ no longer need to go that distance.

'Our catchment pulls out towards Te Puna and Omokoroa. There hasn't been a bank offer since day one – this is the first bank within Bethlehem itself.”

He says public response is very positive.

'People were trying to walk through the store before it was finished being built. This is great for ANZ, great for the community and great for the Bethlehem Town Centre.”

David agrees, saying communities like to own their environment and banks play a significant part in that.

'It means there are more options for clients in having access to ANZ specialists in their community.

'Local business bankers, commercial and wealth people can now meet clients on site for those complex, face-to-face interactions.

'Having more access to more solutions through more specialists, that is what we're trying to provide to Bethlehem.”

To celebrate the opening ANZ Bethlehem will host a family fun day tomorrow with tickets to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic up for grabs and an opportunity to meet netballers Leana De Bruin, Jamie Lee Price, Katherine Coffin and Samantha Sinclair. More FM will also be there.

'It's going to be a very busy day,” says Andrew.

The new ANZ Bethlehem branch manager is Karin Smith.

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