Branches across the country closed for the day and, instead of counting notes and coins, hundreds of staff concentrated their efforts helping their communities.
BNZ chief executive officer Andrew Thorburn said the bank received 858 submissions nationwide for help from staff on projects which supported the wider community.
As part of the initiative, staff in Otago branches spent the day working on 32 projects, which included: painting playground picnic tables, lunchtime seats, entrance gate and outside equipment at Waikouaiti School; spreading bark on a new commemorative garden, and weeding and tidying all gardens for Girl Guiding Otago; painting the lounge and dining-room ceilings at the North East Valley Bowling Club; and spring cleaning cupboards and shelving in the kitchen area, and cleaning outside windows for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.
While BNZ branches were closed, Bradford School principal Lisa Dillon-Roberts said her school was "open for everything".
With help from the BNZ staff, the school was able to hold a Have-A-Go Day, during which pupils could try their hand at golf, crafts, baking, touch rugby, netball, drawing, cartoons and even tap dancing.
"We asked the BNZ staff to bring their interests and expertise to the school to share with the kids. Today is a taster of these activities, which might whet their appetite for a new hobby," she said.
