Bank of New South Wales

The Bank of New South Wales first came to Tauranga on 28 September 1948, opening a branch at 52 Devonport Road. The first manager was Eric William East.

The first premises were rented in Wharf Street. In 1950 the vacant site next door was purchased, new premises were built on this site and occupied in 1955. 

Some of the first branch customers were W. Gain, L. Edmonds, ].E. Gilson, R 8: H Gilson, I. Fortune, A. Webb, T. Herniman, Bay of Plenty Electrical Co., Tauranga Motors and Golden Fisheries.

The Commercial Bank of Australia opened a branch in Tauranga in 1928. In October 1982 the Commercial Bank of Australia and the Bank of New South Wales merged to form Westpac. In 1989 the Westpac Tauranga Branch moved to new premises at 94 Grey Street.

In 1974 the Tauranga District Museum established Gilmore’s Store in the historic village. The store was used to create a chemist and a Bank of New South Wales. Items have been donated to the bank replica by former Bank of New South Wales and Westpac Archive. Items include an 1861 safe from Dunedin, a cheque writer, gold and coin scales, ledgers, photographs and other items.