MVP to public sign-up in about four weeks
A governance advisor for NZ churches, rebuilt as a multi-tenant platform with 350+ automated tests behind it.
Good Church case studyCustom AI · Built in New Zealand
Custom AI built in NZ
When nothing off the shelf fits, we build it: portals, platforms, apps and connectors made around your data, shipped in steady increments you can test.
- 5.0on Google
- 50+businesses helped
Software built around your data and your process
When the tools you can buy do not fit, we build the portal, platform, connector or app that does. It ships in steady increments you can test, with the AI doing the language work and plain code doing the maths.
Named proof
From prototype to two products with one build partner
Fintech · New ZealandPaagaa: core referral features in 3 weeks, then a budgeting app
An adviser referral platform with its core features working three weeks after the first commit, then grown into Paagaa, an open banking budgeting app where Claude writes the plans and code checks every number.
- 3 wks
- from the first commit to working core referral features
- Aug 2026
- first live open banking bank connection
- Read-only
- bank access: Paagaa can see money, never move it
- 2
- products from one build partner
More custom builds
Different problems, same way of building
78,000+ words of kōrero, kept by whānau
Vaka Ō Te Tupuna guides young people through recording their elders on a phone, saves the audio to the whānau's own Google Drive, then transcribes and summarises it.
Tupuna case studyHow a build runs
Working software early, then better every week
- Scope in writing
What it does, what it does not, what it costs.
- First working version
Paagaa's core features ran three weeks after the first commit.
- Your team tests it
Real users, real feedback, every increment.
A person decides - Launch
Live for real users, with handover notes.
- Grow it
New features as the business changes.
Reviews
From the people we built for
Blake took the time to understand our vision and explained the technical side in a way that was easy to follow, making the whole process simple and stress-free.
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He took a complex idea and turned it into something practical, clear and user-friendly. Great work, great communication, and a great experience from start to finish.
Willie LeotaCo-founder, Fresh Moni PodcastWe engaged Harkness AI to build an internal AI-driven quality assurance platform, and Alex has been excellent to work with throughout.
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He picked up a fairly niche operational problem quickly, turned it into a workable technical design, and delivered in steady increments rather than disappearing for weeks at a time. Communication was clear and honest, including when something turned out harder than first scoped. The platform is now in testing with our team and doing what we asked of it. Easy to recommend if you want practical AI implementation rather than theory.
Caleb BoydIT Manager, McKenzie & WillisBlake is an absolute gem to work with! When I was drowning in the deep end trying to implement our Podcast Portal, Blake threw me a lifeline. He became an A+ collaborator who made the whole experience actually enjoyable.
Built for NZ businesses
Questions
What people ask us
When does a business need custom AI instead of an off-the-shelf tool?
When the tools you can buy cannot reach your data, cannot follow your rules, or need to be used by your customers rather than your staff. If Claude or ChatGPT with the right connectors does the job, we will tell you and set that up instead.
Can you take over a prototype someone else started?
Yes, and it is a common starting point. Paagaa began as an early prototype we rebuilt as a production platform, and Good Church came to us as a single-user MVP after a developer handover.
How long does a custom AI build take?
It depends on scope, but we aim for working software within weeks, not months. Paagaa's core referral features worked three weeks after the first commit, and Good Church went from MVP to public sign-up in about four weeks.
Do you build outside Christchurch?
Yes. Most of the build work is remote, so we work with clients across New Zealand and in Australia, with on-site days where they help.
How much does custom AI development cost in NZ?
It depends on scope: a single connector or tool is a small project, a full platform with users, payments and tenants is a larger one. We quote a fixed price against a written scope after a free call.
Got an idea nothing on the market does?
Talk it through on a free call. We will tell you whether it needs building, what the first version looks like and roughly what it costs.
Last updated 6 October 2026