{"id":507182,"date":"2026-07-03T02:21:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/507182\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T02:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T02:21:15","slug":"kiwibank-introduces-kiwis-to-buck-the-green-wooled-sheep-who-refuses-to-follow-the-flock-in-new-campaign-via-special-together-dna-and-tra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/507182\/","title":{"rendered":"Kiwibank introduces Kiwis to \u2018Buck\u2019 \u2013 the green-wooled sheep who refuses to follow the flock in new campaign via Special, Together, DNA and TRA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t July 3 2026, 1:30 pm | BY Ricki Green | No Comments<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \tKiwibank has launched \u201cBank Kiwi\u201d, the next evolution of its brand platform and customer movement designed to challenge the status quo of banking in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the heart of the launch is Buck \u2014 an unlikely new face of banking and a green-wooled sheep who refuses to follow the flock. Created by Kiwibank and its fully Kiwi-owned independent collective including Special, Together, DNA, and TRA, the integrated campaign marks a significant moment as the bank approaches its 25th year.<\/p>\n

The platform is grounded in a simple but bold idea: banking in New Zealand too often works better for the system rather than for the customer. It\u2019s a belief backed by a striking reality \u2014 Kiwibank estimates that Kiwi households and businesses could be missing out on around $500 million in interest every year simply by not meeting the conditions on their savings accounts. It builds on Kiwibank\u2019s challenger spirit and demonstrates how that founding purpose continues to shape the bank today.<\/p>\n

That spirit comes to life through Buck. While most sheep are known for following the flock, Buck chose her own path. Curious, bold, and optimistic, Buck is determined to find something better \u2014 she embodies the idea that progress starts when someone decides not to accept the status quo.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kiwibank<\/p>\n

Buck\u2019s story is one many New Zealanders will recognise. Whether it\u2019s taking a different path, backing yourself, or making a choice that leads to something better, she represents the belief that meaningful progress often begins with a simple decision to do things differently.<\/p>\n

The character was created by Auckland-based Fathom VFX, whose team spent months bringing Buck to life using advanced CGI. More than four million individual strands of wool were crafted to create her distinctive green coat, showcasing the depth of local creative talent behind the campaign.<\/p>\n

The launch also reflects Kiwibank\u2019s ongoing commitment to investing in New Zealand creativity. While automation and AI will play a role in some future applications, the campaign has been built around a distinctly human and local creative approach, drawing on New Zealand agencies, voice artists, musicians and production partners.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kiwibank<\/p>\n

Says Simon Hofmann, General Manager Brand and Marketing at Kiwibank: \u201cBank Kiwi brings together what Kiwibank stands for with what we\u2019re asking New Zealanders to do: choose a bank that\u2019s committed to making Kiwi better off. It\u2019s a platform built on our belief that challenging the status quo creates better outcomes for customers, communities, and New Zealand. Buck captures that spirit perfectly. She\u2019s a reminder that progress often starts when someone chooses a different path, and that\u2019s been at the heart of Kiwibank since day one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Says Erica Beagley, Head of Brand, Kiwibank: \u201cWe have some of the best creative and strategic minds in New Zealand working together to create something that feels world-class and distinctly Kiwi. Seeing the reaction to Buck has been incredibly rewarding \u2014 from requests for merchandise and backstories to suggestions that she deserves her own movie. It\u2019s a credit to the imagination and craft of the people who brought her to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kiwibank<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of the NZ independent agency collective, Pen Brown, Managing Partner at Together, and Rory Gallery, Partner and Chief Strategist at Special NZ, said: \u201cKiwibank has always had a clear reason to exist, but Bank Kiwi is about making that reason felt. It\u2019s a platform designed to connect Kiwibank\u2019s founding purpose with the people it exists to serve. Buck captures something deeply human \u2014 the drive to make progress and create a better future for ourselves. Through a distinctive and relatable character supported by a media strategy that meets people where they are, we\u2019ve created a story that is both memorable and meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Says Director Jamie Lawrence: \u201cI grew up as the kid who didn\u2019t quite fit the flock either, so Buck felt personal from day one. She\u2019s joyful, unapologetically different, and completely herself in a world that wasn\u2019t necessarily built for her. What started as a brief about a green sheep became a story about individuality, ambition, and believing there\u2019s a better way forward. That\u2019s what made it such a special project to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kiwibank<\/p>\n

Creative Agency: Special
Media Agency: Together
Research Agency: TRA
Production Company: Scoundrel
VFX Company: Fathom VFX
Director: Jamie Lawrence
Music Artist: LIPS
Music & Sound Production: Cam Ballantyne<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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