Protest targets ANZ coal ties – branch temporarily shut down
Climate activists have shut down ANZ’s George St branch in Dunedin and disrupted others nationwide, demanding the bank stop providing services to New Zealand’s largest coal miner, Bathurst Resources.
Jen Olsen of Climate Liberation Aotearoa said the protest aimed to keep the Dunedin branch closed all day to highlight ANZ’s relationship with Bathurst.
“I feel for customers who couldn’t get in, but urge them to look at the bigger picture,” Olsen told Stuff.
In Wellington, ANZ’s North Lambton Quay branch was initially closed before reopening for appointments.
Colden Sapir, the group’s Wellington spokesperson, said Bathurst was “just one customer” and questioned why ANZ would risk “this kind of disruption… to hold on to that one terrible company.”
Calls for urgent climate action
Rosemary Penwarden said the protests were part of a broader campaign, including a two-week occupation of a coal bucket at Bathurst’s Stockton mine.
“Coal belongs in the history books,” Penwarden said. “We’re here to tell you, ANZ – stop hanging out with Bathurst… you’re complicit.”
ANZ said it had no direct lending exposure over $1m to coal mining customers and would not finance new thermal coal mines, coal-fired plants, or expansions. As of Sept. 30, 2024, it had lent $159m to mining customers (including oil and gas), down $22m from 2023.
FMA urges stronger climate risk reporting amid rising scrutiny
The Financial Markets Authority’s 2025 review of climate-related disclosures comes as climate risk pressures on lenders gain more public attention, including through protests like those targeting ANZ.
For mortgage advisers and lenders, stronger climate reporting improves transparency on borrower exposures, supports risk-based lending decisions, and helps reduce greenwashing risks in an environment of increasing regulatory oversight.
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