Local BNZ staff will turn off their computers for the day and get out into the community to volunteer for the ‘Closed for Good' project on Wednesday, August 23.

More than 3000 staff from BNZ bank branches across the country will be involved.

Closed for Good is one of New Zealand's biggest volunteering days with more than 550 projects being taken care of nationwide, including 24 in the Bay of Plenty.

BNZ CEO Anthony Healy says he is thrilled to see such a diverse range of projects submitted this year.

'Community groups do some amazing work throughout New Zealand and we take real pleasure in being able to give back in this small way, whether it's by picking up a paint brush, planting native trees, providing budgeting advice or running financial literacy workshops.”

He says the staff really enjoy working in the community and giving back to people in need.

'They're often people who are busy managing their own jobs and families, so that's why we're out in force supporting them.

'Every BNZer has a role to play in supporting their community and I know our people are really proud of the chance to share their time and skills.”

This year Bay of Plenty BNZ staff will be helping out by:

• assisting with a native tree plantation at Lions Tree Grove
• Maintaining existing trails at Tauranga Mountain Bike Club
• Running a sausage sizzle and cake stall to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease
• Volunteering at SPCA Tauranga to help with general animal care
• Restoring and increasing the local kiwi population in the Whakatane reserves.

Branches will be closed for the day, but Anthony says this won't disadvantage BNZ customers.

Staff from the business critical call centre will still be working for urgent services, and all online and mobile banking services are fully available as usual.