ANZ Bank in Paeroa

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 36, September 1992

The ANZ Bank Limited came into being in October 1951 when two old established banks merged. They were Union Bank of Australia, which opened in March 1840, and Bank of Australasia which began in New Zealand in January 1864.

It was the Bank of Australasia which opened in Paeroa, on 15 January 1929. The first premises were rented from Carrott and Somers at £9.15.0 a calendar month. The rent was paid to Paeroa Theatre Buildings Limited in 1930 and then to Stark Billing and Baker in 1931 at which time the rent was decreased to £7.16.0.

In December 1935 a move was made to premises on the comer of Normanby Road and Mackay Street. The lessor was a Miss Emily Knight and the rent paid was £21.13.4 a month. This stayed the same until 1952 when it was increased to £26. In January 1956 a burglary occurred but although a lot of damage was done, the burglars were not able to get into the strongroom or safe before being disturbed, or possibly because it was nearing daylight, and oxyacetylene equipment was left behind.

The bank moved, in March I960, to new leasehold premises in the "Fleming Building" in Princes Street and the previous premises taken over by Paeroa Hardware Ltd for a radio shop.

This was eventually to become Barton's shop. In 1983 the Bank moved in to its present premises immediately next to its previous building. This building was erected by Heath Construction Ltd.

When the branch opened in 1929 the first customer was Hugh Julian, followed by Te Aroha Dairy Company, Victor Manuel, David Sheehan and John Millington. Several of the early accounts opened were transfers from Te Aroha Branch. The Paeroa branch also ran two Receiving Houses, or agencies as we would now call them. These were at Ngatea and Waitakururu. Agencies are still operated in Ngatea and Waihi.

Bank premises. 1929	ANZ Bank premises, corner Normanby Rd & Mackay St. 1952 Play Slideshow Pause Slideshow