Our story

Our Story

For more than 50 years, ANCAD has helped strengthen community organisations and the communities they serve.

What began in 1974 as a network connecting social service agencies on Auckland’s North Shore has grown into a community development and capability-building organisation working across Auckland North, wider Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Today, ANCAD helps community groups and not-for-profit organisations become stronger, more sustainable and better equipped to make a difference. We provide practical capability development, specialist advice and consultancy, community accounting, organisational tools and resources, mentoring and opportunities for connection.

We also bring people and organisations together through networks and initiatives supporting safer whānau, youth voice and wellbeing, Pacific and ethnic communities, and community resilience.

Our work continues to evolve, but our purpose remains constant: to connect people, strengthen organisations and help communities thrive.

1974: Where it began

On 19 October 1974, a community seminar recommended establishing a council to connect and support social service agencies across the North Shore.

The North Shore Community & Social Service Council (NSCSSC) was subsequently formed. In its first year, 26 organisations joined, paying an annual membership fee of $2.

At the time, approximately 80 community and social service organisations were operating on the North Shore. The Council’s early priorities included building relationships with local authorities, representing community needs and developing a Community Resources Directory to help people find local services.

1995: Responding to a growing community

By the Council’s 20th anniversary, the North Shore was experiencing rapid population growth, housing development and increasing diversity.

As communities and services became more dispersed, the Council played an increasingly important role in connecting organisations, coordinating community responses and strengthening relationships across the region.

2014: Becoming ANCAD

In 2014, the organisation celebrated 40 years of service. Its members approved a new name that better reflected its widening role and community development focus.

Auckland North Community & Development—ANCAD—became the organisation’s official name on 1 September 2014.

Today: Strengthening organisations and communities

ANCAD is now a regional anchor and capability-building organisation with a growing reach across Aotearoa.

Our work includes capability development through LiiFT Aotearoa, Community Accounting, tailored organisational support, community engagement, sector networks and initiatives that respond to emerging community needs.

ANCAD also stewards CommunityNet Aotearoa and NZ Navigator, providing organisations throughout New Zealand with access to trusted information, practical resources and organisational self-assessment tools.

Much has changed since 1974, but ANCAD’s commitment to bringing people together and building stronger communities remains at the heart of everything we do.

The future is brighter together.