Northbridge Lifecare Trust was founded in December 1972 when the Trust Deed was incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. A group of forward-thinking Aucklanders identified that there was a need to provide secure accommodation for retired people and care for them for life.

In July 1973 the Board confirmed the purchase of the current site on Akoranga Drive which at that time was occasionally called College Block opposite what was then Teachers College, now AUT for $130,000. Another much smaller site was purchased in Howick but later resold to focus on the current site.

Interestingly the area we occupy was part of the Mahurangi Block sold in 1841 to Govoner Hobson. The 9,500 acres cost him £680 cash, 60 cloaks, 60 gowns, 2 cows, 6 horses, 4 casks, 400 pounds of tobacco, 6 bags of flour, 2 bags of rice, 1 bag of sugar, 200 pairs of trousers, 30 coats, 100 caps, 3 saddles & bridles, 1 vessel and a small boat. The whole amount valued at £1,500.

In November 1974 work commenced on building the first four apartment blocks comprising 32 dwellings along Akoranga Drive. The cost of purchasing an apartment was from $31,500 to $58,500.  Development of the village and care facility continued in a series of stages, being completed in 1983.  Three further apartment buildings were later completed in the early 1990’s. From 2016 – 2022 a further 3 apartment buildings have been constructed which involved the demolition of 32 apartments fronting Akoranga Drive and construction of 109 apartments. Today the village comprises 272 one, two and three bedroom apartments and a 96-bed care facility.

The Trustees operate under the following principles and guidelines;