Aotearoa Development Cooperative

(ADC) is a New Zealand-based charitable organisation that provides opportunities for economic and social transformation in low income communities.

ADC is currently working in the northwest of Myanmar (Burma) where it has partnered with the local community to establish the  ZMF bank. The community-owned bank has two centres in two different villages and employs local staff. It is funded by ADC and is managed by an oversight committee of community representatives. The bank offers small loans, saving products, business development workshops, and access to malaria medication.

Thanks to ADC funding, the ZMF bank has provided loans to over 300 clients in the last three years, helping them to establish or develop a small business and increase their weekly income.

ADC and its partners are not-for-profit organisations; all revenue generated by the bank is invested back into the project.

Why microfinance?

Most of us take access to credit for granted. Yet it is by no means accessible to everyone. Poorer people, especially in developing countries, are generally considered to be highly risky to lend to and therefore struggle to access credit from traditional banks.

Credit is a catalyst for economic growth, which enables innovation and technological advance. A lack of credit means a lack of opportunity, which characterizes the Burmese environment, where the economy is stuck in a low growth cycle with high inflation and unemployment.

ADC’s microfinance initiatives offer an opportunity for individuals to break this cycle of poverty through business development and employment.

$2000 raised at ADC quiz

November 13th 2011

Thanks to all the clever people who came along to our quiz last Saturday, helping us raise a huge amount of money for the ZMF banks. More than 100 people came along to test their trivia brains against a very competitive crowd, and hear about the work ADC is doing. More than $100,000 worth of loans have been given out since we began in 2008! Thanks to all who came and supported us.

English students raise money for ADC

July 15th 2011

Year 9 students in 9JWA at Bentley Wood fundraised £50 toward new loans for ADC partners in Myanmar.  After hearing of the project they felt compelled to get involved and organised a fundraiser at their school sports day selling cold drinks to hot customers and making a profit of £50. Thank you and well done!!!

ZMF bank operating two centres

January visit update

New centre up and running

6th April 2011

The new ZMF centre has disbursed its first loans! Twenty clients have received a loan to form the first cohort of the new centre. Many more people have completed training and will receive loans as the year proceeds. Our new local manager has hit the gorund running after spending six months last year working as an intern at ZMF. Now ADC is scheming to increase our revenue from donations so we can expand both banks to their full potential. Demand for loans remains high, with 60 more loans disbursed at the original ZMF bank last month.

New Centre for 2011 - update

4th March 2011

At the most recent Exec meeting, the staffing of the new centre was discussed. One of our original local managers from ZMF, the very capable Yuan Li, will be taking on responsibility at a branch level, responsible for both of the ZMF centres. She will be assisting our new employee who has been interning at the original ZMF bank and so is well placed to begin as local manager of the new centre.

Young New Zealander of the Year finalist - Geoff C

13th November 2010

ADC co-founder, Geoff , has today been announced one of three finalists for the Young New Zealander of the Year award. From the awards website: The awards seek out and honour the incredible achievements of individuals, organisations and community groups who inspire us through their commitment, hard work and achievements and create a sense of national pride, unity and inspiration through their example as mentors and role models to the wider community.

Geoff is an inspirational, entrepreneurial leader, who has worked tirelessly in the community to bring attention to national and international issues. He has worked mostly in a voluntary capacity for a number of charitable and non-governmental organisations including World Vision, Oxfam, the United Nations and the Auckland City Mission.

He is a co-founder of the Aotearoa Development Cooperative, a New Zealand based, not-for-profit development organization working with poor communities in South East Asia to establish community-owned microfinance institutions. He has also achieved a great deal in Local Government, first as an economic analyst at the Auckland City Council, working on the legislation for the new Auckland Supercity, and now as Chief Economist (Acting) of the Auckland Council. Geoff has shown an ongoing commitment and dedication to marginalised communities both in New Zealand and abroad.

ZMF bank Quarterly Report

10th September 2010

Most exciting news from the latest financial reports and indicators is seeing that, from the opening of the bank in September 2008 until June of this year, the ZMF bank has given out over $36,000 (NZD) worth of loans to around 129 people. Thanks to the money being recycled, this figure is higher than the total amount of money ADC has supplied to the project, even accounting for the money used to fund the start-up and operating costs of the project! Operational sustainability is at 71%, up from 43% in March 2010. Repayment rate is at 93% and demand for loans continues - with 50 more clients on board since June. The report also contains a client profile, latest news, and anoverview of where things are at both in NZ and with ZMF.

If you would like to see the full report, email info@adc.org.nz and we shall send you a copy