Bankers fighting back

ANZ donned blue to ‘paint the town’ yesterday in an effort to get rid of graffiti. 326071AD

By Dean Taylor

Staff from Te Awamutu’s ANZ and National Banks left their posts yesterday to fight back against graffiti around the town.

The National Bank approached community constable Richard Hurrell about assisting in the battle against graffiti, and were joined by ANZ staff as part of that bank’s nation-wide Blue Day programme in which staff get out into their communities to lend a hand where it is needed.

Some of the Te Awamutu staff also stationed themselves at the Woolworths Supermarket exits to help the elderly and young mums with their groceries. But the main aim locally was to hit back at the graffiti on privately owned businesses around the CBD.

Mr Hurrell arranged the teams to clean and paint out graffiti on walls in the Mahoe Street carpark and the Teasdale Street exit from Fresh Choice Supermarket complex. He says cleaning out graffiti as soon as it appears is a good deterrent.

Waipa District Council and Waipa Networks attempt to be vigilant about graffiti on their buildings and property. Private building owners are encouraged to follow suit.