Seven staff of the Whakatāne branch of the Bank of New Zealand joined their colleagues throughout New Zealand and “Closed for Good” on 4 September 2014.

The corporate volunteering iniative sees the bank close its doors for a day and allow its staff to carry out volunteer work in their communities. The Whakatāne staff joined members of the Whakatāne District Council Parks and Reserves team in planting ground cover around the CBD and clearing and thinning vegetation in Awatapu behind the Whakatāne Intermediate School.

Fiona Hennessey of the Whakatāne District Council says the day was very successful and feedback had been very positive. “It is always great to support initiatives such as this, and our staff loved the opportunity to get a hand from a fun and enthusiastic bunch for the day, in a couple of high profile projects.”