# AI companies in Wellington. URL: https://levystreet.com/compare/ai-companies-wellington/ Updated: 2026-10-19 AI companies in Wellington compared for 2026: twelve local providers, what each offers, its published proof and prices, all checked on their own websites. ## Short answer Wellington AI companies include Levy Street, Do AI, Arcanum AI (maker of Numa), Catalyst and Automate AI, all based in the city, while Datacom, Aware Group and Optimation run Wellington offices. Choose by the job you need done: a roadmap, a custom build, a subscription product or staff training. Then ask each provider for a named project like yours. - Twelve Wellington AI providers compared, each checked on its own website on 20 October 2026. - Six of the eleven other providers publish starting prices; Levy Street does not. - Choose by the job: roadmap, custom build, subscription product or staff training. - Levy Street is a Wellington AI engineering company that builds and runs production systems. - The AI Advisory Pilot co-funds small-business AI roadmaps until 30 June 2027. Wellington's AI companies range from one-person consultancies and product studios to an automation agency, a software platform for small firms and the local offices of national IT firms. This guide lists those whose own websites say they are based in Wellington or have an office here. For the national picture, see our guide to [AI consultants in New Zealand](/compare/ai-consultants-nz/). Levy Street wrote this guide and is one of the companies in it, listed first because this is our site. Every other company's details come from its own website, checked on 20 October 2026. No company paid to be included. If something here is wrong or out of date, [tell us](/contact/) and we will fix it. ## Wellington AI companies compared Levy Street first, then alphabetical. Prices as listed on 20 October 2026. | Provider | Based in | What it says it offers | Published proof | Prices published | Suits | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Levy Street | Wellington | AI consulting, custom AI systems and agents, training | Portfolio, including Bebop with Blackpearl Group | No | Production systems built and run by their engineers | | Advancer | Wellington | Fractional technology leadership, AI discovery and builds | Project summaries by sector | Yes, discovery from $15,000 | Growing firms and boards without a CTO | | AI Supercharge | Wellington | In-person AI training: public courses and team sessions | Unnamed participant quotes | No | Staff new to AI who learn best in a room | | Arcanum AI (Numa) | Wellington head office | Numa AI platform, adoption workshops | Named customer stories | Yes, from $750 a month ex-GST, billed annually | Firms of 20 to 200 staff | | Autohive | Wellington address and roles | No-code AI agents that run scheduled jobs | Public product with a free plan | Yes, paid plans from US$20 a month | Small teams building their own agents | | Automate AI | Wellington | Voice agents, chatbots, document automation | Named NZ clients with case studies | Yes, voice agents from $70 a month + GST | Small businesses with missed calls | | Aware Group | Hamilton, with a Wellington office | Enterprise AI, data platforms, machine learning | Ministry for the Environment case study | No | Enterprise and public sector data work | | Catalyst | Wellington head office | NZ-hosted open-weight models, bespoke AI, consulting | Case studies, mostly open-source work | No | Data that must stay in New Zealand | | Datacom | Wellington office | AI governance, proofs of concept, AI tools | Named examples, such as a Datapay assistant | No | Large organisations and government | | Do AI | Wellington | AI products, custom integration, workshops | Easy Read case study and products | Yes, from $6,500 + GST | A first AI product or integration | | Marwick Advisory | Wellington | Roadmaps, pilot builds, custom agents | Anonymised work; some clients under NDA | Yes, from NZ$2,500 + GST | One senior person, end to end | | Optimation | Wellington and Auckland offices | Enterprise AI, IT consulting, custom software | Case studies listed by sector | No | Regulated enterprises wanting discovery first | ## Provider profiles ### Levy Street Levy Street is a Wellington [AI engineering and advisory company](/about/) that designs, builds and runs production AI systems and trains teams to use them. It chooses between OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and open-weight models by testing. Its engineers work with Blackpearl Group's AI team on [Bebop](/portfolio/bebop/), its [portfolio](/portfolio/) includes open-source work, and its [Wellington AI consulting](/services/ai-consulting/wellington/) is done on site. ### Advancer Advancer is a [Wellington firm](https://advancer.co.nz/) giving growing businesses and boards senior technology leadership, including finding where AI will save or earn money and building it. Its six-week Business Brain Discovery is listed from $15,000. ### AI Supercharge [AI Supercharge](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/) runs in-person AI training for New Zealand businesses, with [public courses in Wellington](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/courses/) and team sessions anywhere in the country. Its [Business Productivity course](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/business-productivity/) is registered with the Regional Business Partner Network and runs at Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington. ### Arcanum AI Arcanum AI is [headquartered in Wellington](https://asknuma.ai/about-us) and makes Numa, an AI platform that connects tools such as Xero and automates admin for firms of 20 to 200 staff. [Numa plans](https://asknuma.ai/pricing) start from $750 a month excluding GST; it also runs [adoption workshops](https://asknuma.ai/workshops). ### Autohive Autohive is a New Zealand company whose [no-code platform](https://www.autohive.com/) hands repeat jobs, such as a Monday report, to AI agents that run on a schedule. Its privacy policy gives a [Wellington address](https://www.autohive.com/privacy) and its [careers page](https://www.autohive.com/careers) lists Wellington roles. ### Automate AI Automate AI is a [Wellington-based automation agency](https://automateai.co.nz/) that builds and runs AI voice agents, chatbots and document workflows for small businesses. It names clients including Retro Bowl and 4 Star Flooring. ### Aware Group Aware Group is a Hamilton company, now owned by HSO, with a [Wellington office on Featherston Street](https://www.awaregroup.com/contact/). Its [website](https://www.awaregroup.com/) says it builds, deploys and manages enterprise AI alongside data and cloud work. ### Catalyst Catalyst is a [Wellington-headquartered](https://www.catalyst.net.nz/contact-us) open-source technology company. Its [AI service](https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-solutions/artificial-intelligence) offers open-weight models through a New Zealand hosted, OpenAI-compatible API, a cited search tool, bespoke builds and consulting. ### Datacom Datacom has a [Wellington office](https://datacom.com/nz/en/contact-us) and an [AI practice](https://datacom.com/nz/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence) working on AI governance frameworks, proofs of concept and AI tools across Australia and New Zealand, including a payroll assistant for Datapay. ### Do AI Do AI is a [Wellington-based AI product studio](https://www.doai.co.nz/) that builds AI products, custom integrations and team workshops. Its [work page](https://www.doai.co.nz/work) includes an Easy Read document converter, and [strategy workshops](https://www.doai.co.nz/services/build-ai-capability) are listed from $6,500 plus GST. ### Marwick Advisory Marwick Advisory is an [independent consultant based in Wellington](https://www.marwickadvisory.com/) who designs, builds and runs automation, knowledge systems and custom agents. An AI Roadmap is listed from NZ$2,500 and a Pilot Build from NZ$6,000, both excluding GST. ### Optimation Optimation is a New Zealand technology consultancy with [Wellington and Auckland offices](https://www.optimation.co.nz/contact-us). Its [AI page](https://www.optimation.co.nz/ai-innovation) covers enterprise AI, IT consulting and custom software, starting every engagement with a four-phase discovery. ## Other AI expertise in Wellington - **Assurity**, a quality engineering consultancy with a [Lambton Quay office](https://assurity.nz/contact/), offers [AI-enhanced software testing](https://assurity.nz/), an AI test-design platform called Assurity Intelligence and training in AI-based testing. - **Theta**, a Microsoft Solutions Partner with a [Wellington office](https://www.theta.co.nz/contact-us), lists a [GenAI Rapid Start](https://www.theta.co.nz/packages/genai-rapid-start) prototype at $25,000 plus GST. Our comparison of [Microsoft partners and independent consultancies](/compare/microsoft-partner-vs-independent-ai-consultancy/) covers that route. - **PwC New Zealand** lists its [AI Transformation Leader](https://www.pwc.co.nz/services/consulting/artificial-intelligence.html) in Wellington. - **Research:** Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington's [Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/cdsai) includes groups on machine learning and on AI and society. - **Community:** [AI Tinkerers Wellington](https://wellington.aitinkerers.org/) first met on 26 August 2026 and expects demos of real systems or code, not sales decks. ## How to choose a Wellington AI company Start with the job, not the company: a roadmap, a custom build, a subscription product and staff training are different purchases. Put the same questions to every shortlisted provider, Levy Street included. - I can name the workflow and the number I want to move. - I have seen the provider's most similar project and can speak to that client. - I know who will do the build and whether they will work in our office. - I know where our data is processed and which models are used. - I have monthly running costs in NZD, not just a build price. - I know what we own at the end: code, prompts, test results and a runbook. Our [AI vendor evaluation checklist](/resources/ai-vendor-evaluation-checklist/) turns these into contract questions. ## Red flags when hiring an AI company - **A demo on the vendor's data.** Ask for a test on 20 or 30 of your own documents first. - **Accuracy promises before seeing your work.** Nobody can quote an error rate for documents they have not tested. - **No answer on data location.** If the provider cannot say where prompts and files are processed, assume offshore. - **A fixed price without a fixed scope.** It usually returns as variations. - **Lock-in you did not choose.** A subscription platform is fine if you accept it; a custom build should run in accounts you own. ## Funding and rules for Wellington businesses The government extended its AI Advisory Pilot to [30 June 2027](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-extends-ai-support-small-businesses) on 22 September 2026. [business.govt.nz](https://www.business.govt.nz/strategy-and-performance/regional-business-partner-network/ai-advisory-pilot-programme-explore-ai-for-your-business) says it co-funds up to 50% of eligible costs, up to $2,500 (excluding GST) for a roadmap and $12,500 for implementation, for businesses with 50 or fewer full-time staff registered with the Regional Business Partner Network. It excludes stand-alone training. In this region the network is reached through [WellingtonNZ](https://www.wellingtonnz.com/business/grow-and-innovate-your-business). Whoever you hire, Privacy Act 2020 obligations stay with you. Since 1 May 2026, [IPP 3A](https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ipp3a/) requires you to tell people when you collect their information from someone else, which matters for AI that pulls records from other systems. MBIE's [Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/responsible-ai-guidance-for-businesses.pdf) is voluntary but worth sharing with any provider. Our lesson on [protecting customer information](/learn/protecting-customer-information-when-using-ai/) covers the basics, and when you have a workflow in mind you can [book an AI assessment](/contact/?topic=assessment). ## Questions people ask ### Which AI companies are based in Wellington, New Zealand? Wellington-based AI companies include Levy Street, an AI engineering and advisory company; Do AI, an AI product studio; Arcanum AI, maker of the Numa platform; Catalyst, which hosts open-weight AI models in New Zealand; Automate AI, an automation agency; Advancer and Marwick Advisory, both consultancies; and Autohive, an AI agent platform. Datacom, Aware Group and Optimation have Wellington offices. Each was checked on its own website on 20 October 2026. ### Who are the AI consultants in Wellington? For advice and builds, Wellington options include Levy Street, Do AI, Advancer and Marwick Advisory, an independent consultant, plus the AI teams at Datacom, Optimation, Aware Group and Catalyst. PwC New Zealand lists its AI Transformation Leader in Wellington. Choose by the size of the job: one senior person suits a single pilot, while larger firms suit programmes spanning many teams. Ask every consultant which similar project they have shipped. ### How much does an AI consultant cost in Wellington? Published prices vary. As listed on 20 October 2026, Marwick Advisory's AI Roadmap starts from NZ$2,500 plus GST, Do AI's Momentum Map from $6,500 plus GST, and Advancer's six-week discovery from $15,000. The larger firms and Levy Street do not publish prices; Levy Street scopes each engagement as a fixed piece of work. Budget separately for running costs such as model usage, hosting and support. ### Is there government funding for AI advice in Wellington? Yes, for eligible small businesses. The AI Advisory Pilot, extended to 30 June 2027, co-funds up to 50% of an AI roadmap (up to $2,500 excluding GST) and of implementation (up to $12,500) through the Regional Business Partner Network. Businesses need 50 or fewer full-time staff and must be registered with the network. In the Wellington region, start with WellingtonNZ's business growth team. ### Where can I meet people building AI in Wellington? AI Tinkerers Wellington runs meetups where builders demo working systems; its first was on 26 August 2026 and it held a demo night on 14 October 2026. Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington's Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence brings together the university's AI research. Several companies in this guide, including Do AI and Arcanum AI, also run AI workshops for businesses. ## Sources - [Advancer home page](https://advancer.co.nz/) - [About Arcanum AI](https://asknuma.ai/about-us) - [Numa pricing](https://asknuma.ai/pricing) - [AI Adoption Workshops](https://asknuma.ai/workshops) - [Autohive home page](https://www.autohive.com/) - [Autohive privacy policy](https://www.autohive.com/privacy) - [Careers at Autohive](https://www.autohive.com/careers) - [Automate AI home page](https://automateai.co.nz/) - [Aware Group home page](https://www.awaregroup.com/) - [Contact Aware Group](https://www.awaregroup.com/contact/) - [AI for Aotearoa New Zealand](https://www.catalyst.net.nz/our-solutions/artificial-intelligence) - [Contact us](https://www.catalyst.net.nz/contact-us) - [Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions](https://datacom.com/nz/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence) - [Contact us](https://datacom.com/nz/en/contact-us) - [Do AI home page](https://www.doai.co.nz/) - [Our work](https://www.doai.co.nz/work) - [Build AI capability](https://www.doai.co.nz/services/build-ai-capability) - [Marwick Advisory home page](https://www.marwickadvisory.com/) - [AI Innovation and Digital Transformation](https://www.optimation.co.nz/ai-innovation) - [Contact us](https://www.optimation.co.nz/contact-us) - [Assurity home page](https://assurity.nz/) - [Contact Assurity](https://assurity.nz/contact/) - [In-person AI training](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/) - [Courses](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/courses/) - [Business productivity course](https://www.aisupercharge.co.nz/business-productivity/) - [Contact us](https://www.theta.co.nz/contact-us) - [GenAI Rapid Start](https://www.theta.co.nz/packages/genai-rapid-start) - [Artificial Intelligence (AI) Services](https://www.pwc.co.nz/services/consulting/artificial-intelligence.html) - [Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/cdsai) - [AI Tinkerers Wellington](https://wellington.aitinkerers.org/) - [Government extends AI support for small businesses](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-extends-ai-support-small-businesses) - [AI Advisory Pilot Programme: explore AI for your business](https://www.business.govt.nz/strategy-and-performance/regional-business-partner-network/ai-advisory-pilot-programme-explore-ai-for-your-business) - [Grow and innovate your business](https://www.wellingtonnz.com/business/grow-and-innovate-your-business) - [IPP 3A](https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ipp3a/) - [Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/responsible-ai-guidance-for-businesses.pdf) Published by Levy Street (https://levystreet.com), Wellington, New Zealand.