Built on relationships. Grounded in dignity. Driven by people.
Interconnected Care NZ (ICCNZ) was founded by Jacob Crown and Jody Mackie, who brought together different strengths, experiences and perspectives — with a shared belief that people deserve services built around relationships, dignity, and genuine connection.
Together, Jacob and Jody envisioned an organisation that would place people before systems, recognise individual strengths, and create opportunities for Kiritaki, whānau and kaimahi to thrive.
Interconnected Care NZ emerged through popular demand and from years of listening to communities, supporting people through challenging circumstances, and recognising the need for something different. The organisation grew from countless conversations, shared experiences, and a commitment to creating meaningful change.
A history of opening doors.
Jacob and Jody identified a genuine need for bespoke support and navigation services for job seekers and rangatahi entering the workforce — people who needed more than a CV and a job board. They saw that lasting employment comes from walking alongside someone, understanding their strengths, and connecting them to the right pathway.
In 2018–2019, Jacob partnered with MSD to introduce almost 100 new kaimahi into sustainable career pathways in community support work. The target cohort was Māori and Pasifika — people who deserved not just a job, but a lifelong career with growth, stability and purpose.
With deep home support experience, cross-sector industry knowledge and strong whanaungatanga across communities, IC Mahi is confident that every cohort we support will rapidly gain meaningful employment. Our co-founders, Ngā Tumuaki, are committed to Māori recruitment and retention — always guided by a deep respect for Tikanga.
Jacob Crown
Jacob's journey in the health and community sector began at just 15 years of age, working in frontline home and community support services.
Over the years, Jacob has held regional and national leadership positions across operations, governance, workforce development and service delivery with some of New Zealand's largest community service organisations — including Access Community Health, Healthcare NZ, Health Vision, Panacea, HRL, and the Public Service Association.
He has contributed to sector-wide initiatives, participated in government working groups, and worked alongside stakeholders to improve outcomes for people across Aotearoa. Having supported Kiritaki with highly complex and diverse needs, Jacob witnessed both the strengths and limitations of traditional service models — experiences that shaped a vision for an organisation that could be responsive, innovative and centred on the individual.
- Financial stewardship and sustainability
- Strategic growth and development
- Operations and service innovation
- Government and stakeholder relationships
- Workforce creation and employment pathways
- Business sustainability
- Māori development and community advancement
- Creating opportunities for people and whānau
Jacob's approach combines strategic thinking with practical experience — ensuring ICCNZ remains both ambitious in its vision and grounded in its delivery.
Jody Mackie
Jody has served a range of roles across the home and community sector, traumatic brain injury services and spinal cord injury support — and has deep experience developing strengthened training for kaimahi.
She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences, a National Certificate in Adult Education and Training, Health and Wellbeing Level 4 qualifications, and is an accredited NZQA Assessor.
Jody's expertise lies in learning and development, quality systems, workforce capability and organisational improvement. She has a remarkable ability to develop people, build confidence, and create environments where individuals and teams can succeed. Her leadership balances compassion with accountability — bringing wisdom, foresight and authenticity to every aspect of the organisation.
- Learning and development
- Service quality and compliance
- Workforce capability building
- Health, safety and wellbeing
- Systems improvement
- Mentorship and leadership development
- Creating strong organisational culture
Jody's commitment to excellence ensures ICCNZ maintains high standards while remaining deeply connected to the people it serves.
Building ICCNZ together.
What makes the partnership between Jacob and Jody unique is the combination of complementary strengths, shared values, and a deep sense of trust. After years of working together, they regard one another as whānau.
Where one identifies opportunities for growth and innovation, the other ensures the foundations are strong enough to sustain that growth. Together they create balance, stability and momentum.
ICCNZ was built around a simple belief — people are more than the services they receive.
Every Kiritaki, whānau member and kaimahi brings their own aspirations, strengths, experiences and story. Rather than creating another provider, Jacob and Jody set out to build a community-focused organisation where relationships come first and support is designed around the individual.
An organisation that moves alongside people.
- Moves alongside people and whānau
- Creates meaningful employment opportunities
- Develops future leaders
- Strengthens communities
- Upholds mana and dignity
- Delivers genuinely person-centred support
- Builds pathways toward wellbeing, learning and opportunity
Through Interconnected Care, Interconnected Mahi and Interconnected Training, that vision continues to grow into a model where care, employment, education and community development are interconnected.
"ICCNZ was built on the belief that lasting change happens through relationships. Every connection matters, every person has value, and every journey deserves to be supported with respect, integrity and care.
Our commitment is to walk alongside our Kiritaki, whānau and kaimahi as partners — creating pathways that empower people to achieve their aspirations and live fulfilling lives."