New Matariki bank card designs inspired by Silver Ferns

Over the last few years ANZ has seen growing interest in personalised card designs - applications in 2023 jumped 15% on the previous year, driven in part by interest in Matariki designs.

“People love the customisation idea – that you can express yourself, who you are, and what’s important to you by picking your own image,” says Knuckey, “especially when they discover it costs nothing – it’s free and it’s fun.”

Almost one in twelve of the ANZ’s 1.7 million Visa Debit cards are now MyPhoto cards, adorned with personalised images uploaded by customers or chosen from the bank’s extensive gallery.

The personalised cards - which are printed individually at a secure facility in Auckland - have been available since 2006.

They are especially popular with Millennials aged 25-35 years old, who make up a third of the total MyPhoto card holders.

“While Māori artwork has been popular, we’ve also had a lot of interest in the dragon designs, which we created for the Lunar New Year, and our Pride designs,” says Knuckey.

“We’re a diverse country, and we wanted to reflect that by including designs that mark important cultural dates and events. It’s a great way to help celebrate New Zealand’s cultural diversity."

"We’re a diverse country, and we wanted to reflect that by including designs that mark important cultural dates and events. It’s a great way to help celebrate New Zealand’s cultural diversity."

Grant Knuckey, ANZ’s Managing Director of Personal Banking.

While gallery images are popular, especially around cultural events, the bank’s data shows that Kiwis prefer to upload their own images.

“There are a lot of images of family members – loved ones and children - and a heap of photogenic pets, especially cute cats and dogs,” says Knuckey.

“But there are also some pretty individual image choices - like one customer who wanted a photo of his favourite tractor.”

Uploaded images are vetted by a specialised team and are subject to certain design, copyright and decency restrictions.

The Matariki MyPhoto designs are part of ANZ’s Nga Hihi O Matariki campaign, a combination of staff and external events and designs by Geoff Popham, aiming to connect people through the sharing of Matariki stories.

“Just as carved patterns were a way of storytelling before written language, these designs share our stories,” says Karleen Everitt, ANZ’s Head of Te Ao Maori Strategy.

“The patterns symbolise the rays (hihi) of the stars of Matariki, which stretch far and wide, as they  transfer knowledge to us, while also connecting the past, present and future.”

Apply now for your Matariki MyPhoto Card here www.anz.co.nz/matariki

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For media enquiries contact Tarek Bazley 027 428 0434