# AI consultants in New Zealand. URL: https://levystreet.com/compare/ai-consultants-nz/ Updated: 2026-10-19 AI consultants in NZ, checked 20 October 2026: who gives AI advice, workshop prices, the government AI Advisory Pilot and how to judge the quality of advice. ## Short answer New Zealand AI consultants include Levy Street (Wellington), AI Innovisory (Auckland), AI New Zealand (Auckland), Arcanum AI (Wellington), Curiosity (Wānaka) and the AI teams at Deloitte and PwC. Choose on the quality of the advice: a good adviser names one workflow, its cost and the number it should move, tests the risky part on your data, and will tell you when not to build. - Published leadership-session prices ranged from NZ$1,250 to NZ$7,000 on 20 October 2026. - The AI Advisory Pilot co-funds up to 50%: $2,500 for a roadmap, $12,500 for implementation. - Good advice names a workflow, a cost and a measure, and is tested on your data. - Ask every adviser about referral fees and the software it resells. - Levy Street's advice comes from engineers who build and run production AI; it publishes no prices. An AI consultant helps an organisation decide where AI is worth using, whether to buy or build, and what it will cost to run. In New Zealand, AI advice comes from sole practitioners, specialist firms and the AI teams inside large professional services firms. This guide compares what eleven advisers publish about themselves, then shows how to judge the advice. If you already know what to build, our guide to [AI development companies in New Zealand](/compare/ai-development-companies-nz/) is the better list. Levy Street wrote this guide and is one of the providers in it, listed first because this is our site. Every other provider's details come from its own website, checked on 20 October 2026. No provider paid to be included. If something here is wrong or out of date, [tell us](/contact/) and we will fix it. ## New Zealand AI consultants compared "Published proof" means named clients, case studies or evaluations the adviser publishes itself. Prices are as listed on 20 October 2026. | Provider | Based in | What it says it offers | Published proof | Prices published | Suits | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Levy Street | Wellington | AI consulting, readiness assessments, executive workshops | [APL Property agent](/portfolio/property-management-agent/) | No | Advice tied to a costed, tested first project | | AI Innovisory | Auckland | Advisory, workshops, automation, fractional chief AI officer | Testimonial from FIX Eyewear's CEO | Yes, half-day workshops typically $4,000–6,000 | Teams wanting workshops or ongoing advice | | AI New Zealand | Auckland | Executive briefings, roadmaps, certificate courses | Client logos, including Bayleys | Yes, executive briefing $5,500 + GST | Leadership teams of up to 15 | | AIpex | Auckland | Training, governance, workflow automation | University course evaluations | Yes, from NZ$1,250 + GST | Professional services firms, 10–100 staff | | Arcanum AI | Wellington | Executive AI adoption workshops; Numa platform | Numa customer stories | Numa from $750 a month ex-GST | Leaders and boards | | Curiosity | Wānaka | AI strategy, coaching, workshops | None published | No | Leaders building team capability | | Deloitte New Zealand | NZ, global network | Strategy, governance, workforce, change, implementation | Tower, NZHL, Health NZ | No | Businesses, government, leaders | | Implement AI | Auckland | Readiness assessments, implementation | Law firm case study | Yes, assessment $3,500–5,000 | Firms of 10 to 500 staff | | Matrix AI Consulting | Auckland, Wellington | Strategy, governance, Copilot workshops | None named | No | NZ and Australian leadership teams | | Plain Logic | Not stated | Fixed-price AI Gameplan, team training | Anonymised engagement summaries | Partly: implementation typically $4,000–10,000+ | NZ service businesses | | PwC New Zealand | Five NZ regions | AI strategy, opportunity testing, governance | None on its AI page | No | Organisations setting AI strategy | ## Provider profiles ### Levy Street Levy Street is a Wellington AI engineering and advisory company. Our [AI consulting](/services/ai-consulting/) is run by an engineer who builds production systems and ends with a costed first project, backed by prototypes tested on your data. We also run [executive AI workshops](/services/executive-ai-workshops/) that end in a written decision record, and an [AI readiness assessment](/services/ai-readiness-assessment/) scored across six areas. We publish no prices. ### AI Innovisory AI Innovisory is an [Auckland AI consultancy](https://aiinnovisory.com/) led by Peter Mangin, offering advisory, workshops and automation. It lists half-day workshops at typically $4,000 to $6,000 and a fractional chief AI officer from $4k to $8k a month. ### AI New Zealand AI New Zealand, founded in 2017 by Justin Flitter, is an [Auckland-led](https://www.newzealand.ai/contact-us/) training and advisory company. Its [Executive AI Briefing](https://www.newzealand.ai/executive-ai-briefing/) runs three hours for up to 15 senior leaders at $5,500 plus GST and travel, followed by a report on use cases. ### AIpex AIpex is an [Auckland AI training and workflow automation company](https://www.aipex.co.nz/about) for professional services firms of 10 to 100 staff. Its [pricing page](https://www.aipex.co.nz/pricing) lists a 90-minute Executive AI Briefing at NZ$1,250 and a two-week readiness assessment at NZ$4,500, both plus GST. ### Arcanum AI Arcanum AI is a [Wellington AI company founded in 2016](https://asknuma.ai/about-us) whose main product is Numa, an AI platform for firms of 20 to 200 staff. Its [AI Adoption Executive Workshop](https://asknuma.ai/exec-workshop) is a half-day session for business leaders and board members. ### Curiosity Curiosity is the [Wānaka practice of Nadia Ellis](https://www.curiosity.nz/about/), offering [AI strategy, coaching and workshops](https://www.curiosity.nz/work-together/) for leaders and teams across New Zealand. It focuses on team capability and says it does not build risky "black box" custom software. ### Deloitte New Zealand Deloitte New Zealand's [AI Institute](https://www.deloitte.com/nz/en/services/consulting/collections/deloitte-ai-institute.html) works with businesses, government and leaders on AI strategy, governance, workforce, change management and implementation. It describes AI work with Tower, NZHL and Health New Zealand. ### Implement AI Implement AI is an [Auckland consultancy](https://www.implementai.co.nz/about) for firms of 10 to 500 staff. Its [pricing page](https://www.implementai.co.nz/pricing) lists a two-week readiness assessment at $3,500 to $5,000, implementation at $12,000 to $30,000 and a full-day Executive AI Masterclass at $4,000 to $7,000. ### Matrix AI Consulting Matrix AI Consulting, founded by Glen Maguire, is an [independent AI consultancy](https://www.matrixconsulting.ai/) with addresses in Auckland and Wellington, working in New Zealand and Australia. It offers strategy, governance and Copilot workshops, and says it is not tied to any software vendor. ### Plain Logic Plain Logic is a New Zealand practice led by Jasper Irvine, who spent nine years at Xero. Its [Gameplan](https://plainlogic.co.nz/services) maps a service business, ranks AI opportunities and builds the first tool in three to six weeks at a fixed price. It discloses an Autohive referral arrangement and passes the commission to clients. ### PwC New Zealand PwC New Zealand has [offices in five regions](https://www.pwc.co.nz/who-we-are), and its [AI page](https://www.pwc.co.nz/services/consulting/artificial-intelligence.html) names Scott McLiver as Chief AI Officer. It covers AI strategy, testing the highest-return opportunities, and governance for security and risk. ## How to judge the quality of AI advice Good AI advice is specific enough to be proved wrong. It names a workflow, a cost and a number, and the risky step has been tested on your data before you pay for a build. Hold every adviser to this, us included, and [ask us the same questions](/contact/?topic=assessment). | Good advice | Weak advice | |---|---| | One workflow with an owner and a baseline number | Twenty use cases listed by department | | Arithmetic: volumes, hours saved, running cost in NZD | Industry-wide productivity percentages | | The risky step tested on your own documents | A vendor demo on sample data | | A "buy instead" or "do not build" option | Every recommendation needs a new project | | Privacy, approvals and who checks outputs | Risk deferred to a later phase | | Referral fees and resold licences disclosed | One platform recommended without reasons | ## The government AI Advisory Pilot The AI Advisory Pilot is a government programme, delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN), that co-funds expert help for small businesses adopting AI. MBIE [expanded it in May 2026](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/more-practical-ai-support-for-small-businesses) to up to 150 businesses, and business.govt.nz says it [runs until 30 June 2027](https://www.business.govt.nz/strategy-and-performance/regional-business-partner-network/ai-advisory-pilot-programme-explore-ai-for-your-business). - **Who qualifies.** Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent staff, GST registration and an NZBN, registered with the RBPN, willing to share costs, with a problem AI could help with. Meeting the criteria does not guarantee a place. - **What it pays.** Up to 50% of eligible costs: up to $2,500 for a roadmap and up to $12,500 for implementation, excluding GST. A roadmap does not guarantee implementation funding. - **What it excludes.** AI products to sell, [general software](https://www.business.govt.nz/browse-our-resource-library/funding-explorer/ai-advisory-pilot), work already under way, stand-alone AI training and normal operating costs. 1. **Register with the RBPN.** A growth advisor discusses your business and whether the pilot fits. 2. **Complete an AI readiness assessment.** Describe your business, technology and problem. 3. **Work with an approved provider.** If accepted, agree the roadmap's scope and cost with an approved provider. 4. **Ask about implementation funding.** Discuss the next stage with your growth advisor. Some advisers say their services qualify. Only approved providers can be used, so confirm with your growth advisor before signing. ## Where AI advice goes wrong - **A strategy deck with no first project.** If the output is slides without a costed next step, you paid for a briefing. - **Use cases ranked on enthusiasm.** Scores without volumes, hours or error rates reflect who spoke loudest. - **Advice that ignores your systems.** A plan built on a platform you do not run will not survive contact with Xero or Microsoft 365. - **Feasibility assumed, not tested.** Ask who will prototype the riskiest step, and on what data, before you approve a build. - **Undisclosed incentives.** Resale margins and referral fees are common; you should know about them before you rely on a recommendation. ## Other New Zealand points good advice covers - **Privacy.** Since 1 May 2026, [IPP 3A](https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ipp3a/) under the Privacy Act 2020 requires reasonable steps to tell people when you collect their information from someone else. - **Responsible use.** MBIE's [Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/responsible-ai-guidance-for-businesses.pdf) is voluntary and covers businesses of every size. - **Public sector.** Agencies are encouraged to align with the [Public Service AI Framework](https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/technology-and-architecture/artificial-intelligence/public-service-artificial-intelligence-framework), which is advisory rather than binding. - **GST.** Some published prices exclude GST and some do not say; compare like with like. ## Questions people ask ### Who can help a New Zealand small business choose its first AI project? Advisers that help firms decide where AI fits first include Levy Street in Wellington; Implement AI and AIpex in Auckland, which publish fixed-price readiness assessments; Plain Logic, which runs a fixed-price Gameplan for service businesses; Matrix AI Consulting; and Curiosity in Wānaka. Ask for one workflow, its cost and a measure, tested on your own examples. If you have 50 or fewer full-time staff, ask your Regional Business Partner about the AI Advisory Pilot, which co-funds a roadmap with an approved provider. ### Who runs practical AI strategy workshops for leadership teams in New Zealand? Options listed on 20 October 2026 include Levy Street's executive AI workshops, AI New Zealand's three-hour Executive AI Briefing for up to 15 leaders ($5,500 plus GST and travel), AIpex's 90-minute Executive AI Briefing (NZ$1,250 plus GST), Arcanum AI's half-day AI Adoption Executive Workshop, Implement AI's full-day Executive AI Masterclass ($4,000 to $7,000) and AI Innovisory's half-day workshops. Choose one that uses your own documents and ends in written decisions. ### How much does an AI consultant cost in New Zealand? Published prices on 20 October 2026 included readiness assessments from Implement AI ($3,500 to $5,000) and AIpex (NZ$4,500 plus GST), half-day workshops from AI Innovisory (typically $4,000 to $6,000) and an AI Innovisory fractional chief AI officer at $4k to $8k a month. Deloitte, PwC and Levy Street publish no prices. Check whether each price includes GST before you compare. ### Is there government funding for AI advice in New Zealand? Yes. The AI Advisory Pilot, run through the Regional Business Partner Network, co-funds up to 50% of eligible costs: up to $2,500 for an AI roadmap and up to $12,500 for implementation, excluding GST. Businesses need 50 or fewer full-time equivalent staff, GST registration and an NZBN, and must register with the RBPN. Places are limited, the work must be done by an approved provider, and the pilot runs until 30 June 2027. ### Should an AI consultant also sell software? It can, but you should know about it. Ask whether the adviser resells licences, earns referral fees or owns a product it might recommend. Some advisers here state their position: AIpex says it takes no vendor referral fees, Matrix AI Consulting says it is not tied to a vendor, and Plain Logic discloses an Autohive referral arrangement whose commission it passes to clients. Levy Street builds systems and its own products, so ask us too. ### What is the difference between an AI consultant and an AI developer? A consultant decides what to do, why and in what order; a developer builds it. The most useful adviser has also built and run systems, because they price integration, review and failure handling realistically. Our comparison of [AI consultants and software developers](/compare/ai-consultant-vs-software-developer/) covers the trade-off, and our guide to [AI development companies in New Zealand](/compare/ai-development-companies-nz/) lists firms that build. ## Sources - [AI Innovisory: AI advisory, automation and governance for NZ businesses](https://aiinnovisory.com/) - [Executive AI Briefing](https://www.newzealand.ai/executive-ai-briefing/) - [Contact us (team and locations)](https://www.newzealand.ai/contact-us/) - [About AIpex](https://www.aipex.co.nz/about) - [Pricing](https://www.aipex.co.nz/pricing) - [About Arcanum AI](https://asknuma.ai/about-us) - [AI Adoption Executive Workshop](https://asknuma.ai/exec-workshop) - [Numa pricing](https://asknuma.ai/pricing) - [About Nadia Ellis](https://www.curiosity.nz/about/) - [AI strategy, coaching and workshops](https://www.curiosity.nz/work-together/) - [Deloitte AI Institute](https://www.deloitte.com/nz/en/services/consulting/collections/deloitte-ai-institute.html) - [About Implement AI](https://www.implementai.co.nz/about) - [AI consulting pricing](https://www.implementai.co.nz/pricing) - [Independent AI consultancy for NZ and Australian businesses](https://www.matrixconsulting.ai/) - [The Service Business AI Gameplan](https://plainlogic.co.nz/services) - [Plain Logic: AI consulting and team training](https://plainlogic.co.nz/) - [Artificial Intelligence (AI) services](https://www.pwc.co.nz/services/consulting/artificial-intelligence.html) - [About us](https://www.pwc.co.nz/who-we-are) - [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) - [AI Advisory Pilot (funding explorer)](https://www.business.govt.nz/browse-our-resource-library/funding-explorer/ai-advisory-pilot) - [More practical AI support for small businesses](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/more-practical-ai-support-for-small-businesses) - [Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses](https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/responsible-ai-guidance-for-businesses.pdf) - [IPP 3A: collection of information from another source](https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ipp3a/) - [Public Service AI Framework](https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/technology-and-architecture/artificial-intelligence/public-service-artificial-intelligence-framework) Published by Levy Street (https://levystreet.com), Wellington, New Zealand.