NZ’s Fractional AI Engineer

AI that actually gets implemented.

Most businesses know they need AI but don’t know where to start. We take you from zero to implemented with consulting, training, development, and ongoing support.

0+Clients
0+Projects
0+AI Videos
0+Years
Proven Process

From exploring to implementing

A structured approach that takes your business from exploring AI to actively using it.

Phase 01

Train Your Team

Build AI confidence across your organisation

Get your staff trained on AI tools and thinking. Not theory - real tools, real tasks, real outcomes they can apply immediately.

  • Half-day and full-day workshop formats
  • Tailored to your team's tools and workflows
  • Hands-on exercises with real scenarios
  • Post-workshop resources and support
  • On-site or remote across NZ
150+educational videos created
Phase 02

Find the Use Cases

Identify where AI delivers the biggest ROI

We work with your team to identify the high-impact processes ripe for automation. Walk away with a prioritised roadmap.

  • AI readiness and opportunity assessment
  • Use case identification for your industry
  • AI tool evaluation and recommendations
  • Jargon-free briefings for decision makers
  • Prioritised implementation roadmap
25+businesses advised
Phase 03

Build & Implement

Your fractional AI engineer delivers

We develop and implement the solutions as your fractional AI team. You tell us the problem, we deliver the solution.

  • Custom AI assistants and chatbots
  • Workflow automation and process optimisation
  • Full-stack AI-powered web applications
  • API integrations and data pipelines
  • Testing, deployment, and handover docs
20+projects delivered
Phase 04

Support & Scale

Embedded ongoing fractional support

We stay embedded to keep your AI initiatives moving - maintaining solutions, spotting new opportunities, and upskilling your team as the tech evolves.

  • Ongoing AI implementation and optimisation
  • Team capability building and mentoring
  • AI tool evaluation and vendor management
  • Continuous opportunity identification
  • Flexible - scale up or down as needed
2+years experience

Which engagement is right for you?

Not sure where to start? Here is who each engagement model tends to suit best.

How the engagement models compare
Best forOutcome
Workshop / TrainingTeams new to AI who want practical, hands-on upskillingConfident staff using AI tools on real tasks
StrategyLeaders who know they need AI but not where to startA prioritised roadmap of high-ROI use cases
BuildBusinesses with a clear problem ready to be solvedA delivered AI solution, tested and handed over
SupportTeams wanting an embedded, ongoing fractional AI engineerContinuous improvement and new opportunities
In the Field

Out there doing the work

Speaking, teaching, and running AI events across Aotearoa - not just theorising from a desk.

Real Results

Results from the last 12 months

Setup & Training

Site Safety - Claude Setup & TrainingCase Study

Set Claude up and trained them to run it - drafting invoices in Xero, scheduling the calendar, managing email, and researching new leads.

4 core workflowsrun day to day
Team Training

Trap and Trigger - Team AI 101 WorkshopCase Study

Ran a full-day AI 101 workshop for the whole team at their Upper Hutt office - practical AI foundations, hands-on with the tools, and use cases mapped to their day-to-day work.

Whole teamtrained in practical AI foundations
Platform Build

Paagaa - Referral ToolCase Study

Built a referral network platform for financial advisers across NZ and Australia. No more scattered emails and not knowing if a referral has been actioned - full tracking, real-time messaging, and visibility over every handoff.

3-week MVPfull referral lifecycle tracking
Training & Setup

Claude AI Brain WorkshopCase Study

Set up four business owners with their own Claude AI brain - a 24/7 employee with full context of their business - then trained them to automate tasks and keep building on it themselves.

4 ownersrunning Claude as a 24/7 employee

Trusted by New Zealand SMBs

What People Say About Us

Comments people have left

Recently completed a half day course with Blake building my Claude Brain. The course was insightful & practical. Running 2 companies I know this is going to help me claw back some time on a lot of the repetitive tasks. Thank you Blake, excellent value and advice.

Clinton Selby

Managing Director, Ergostyle & Genius Co-working

Blake has become our go-to for everything AI in our business - from setting up Claude and training our team, to building integrations like our PayHero setup that we had struggled with ourselves. He is a genuine sounding board, hits his timelines, and hands over tools that work with clear instructions. We would happily recommend Blake and Harkness AI to any business looking to get real value out of AI.

Nick

Director, Trap and Trigger Ltd

Blake brought a solid technology & AI perspective to our engagement at BMC. He clearly knows his space and was easy to work with, the conversations he sparked were useful in helping us get clearer on what we actually needed from a systems / AI standpoint. Thanks again.

Shaun Crowley

Chief Financial Officer at BMC

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. 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 Leota

Co-founder, Fresh Moni Podcast

Nice work Blake. A great demo of how simple it is these days to get underway with chatbots.

Mark Donovan

Lawyer

Blake 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.

Daniel Habedank

DragonPuppy LTD

Finding alternative products with Glow4Less has helped me save money. It was easy as to use.

Dannielle Innes

Supportive Partner (A little biased)

Blake is an outstanding collaborator. He is exceptionally well-suited to work with businesses of any size - whether small startups or large organisations. Blake has a unique ability to identify core challenges and transform them into effective solutions.

Will (Viriamu) Fleming

Campfire Studios

Super cool demo, Blake - I love how you broke this down so fast and clean.

Zach Ross

Developer

Hey Blake, thanks for sharing this, really helpful for my son doing NCEA1.

Zac Pullen

Parent

Blake exemplifies what makes a great tech-sector professional: the ability to combine strong technical expertise with excellent soft skills. He pairs high-level technical competence and sharp critical thinking with outstanding collaboration and communication abilities.

Ian Hight

Client Director at Jade Software Corporation

Amazing man I love these kind of tutorials

Shoaib Hussain

Student

You are so good at what you do and so generous with your time and findings!

Tom Sweeny

Director - Crew Technology

You are an truly inspirational young guy, and you've got a lot ahead of you! Can't wait to see you transform NZ!!!

Nyssa Waters

CEO Possibl.ai

Firstly it was lovely collaborating with Blake through my podcast initiative 'The Tech'o'Space Podcast', he surely has set the standard high when it comes to innovation in the IT field.

Akhil Navuluri

Tech o Space Podcast

Recently completed a half day course with Blake building my Claude Brain. The course was insightful & practical. Running 2 companies I know this is going to help me claw back some time on a lot of the repetitive tasks. Thank you Blake, excellent value and advice.

Clinton Selby

Managing Director, Ergostyle & Genius Co-working

Blake has become our go-to for everything AI in our business - from setting up Claude and training our team, to building integrations like our PayHero setup that we had struggled with ourselves. He is a genuine sounding board, hits his timelines, and hands over tools that work with clear instructions. We would happily recommend Blake and Harkness AI to any business looking to get real value out of AI.

Nick

Director, Trap and Trigger Ltd

Blake brought a solid technology & AI perspective to our engagement at BMC. He clearly knows his space and was easy to work with, the conversations he sparked were useful in helping us get clearer on what we actually needed from a systems / AI standpoint. Thanks again.

Shaun Crowley

Chief Financial Officer at BMC

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. 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 Leota

Co-founder, Fresh Moni Podcast

Nice work Blake. A great demo of how simple it is these days to get underway with chatbots.

Mark Donovan

Lawyer

Blake 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.

Daniel Habedank

DragonPuppy LTD

Finding alternative products with Glow4Less has helped me save money. It was easy as to use.

Dannielle Innes

Supportive Partner (A little biased)

Blake is an outstanding collaborator. He is exceptionally well-suited to work with businesses of any size - whether small startups or large organisations. Blake has a unique ability to identify core challenges and transform them into effective solutions.

Will (Viriamu) Fleming

Campfire Studios

Super cool demo, Blake - I love how you broke this down so fast and clean.

Zach Ross

Developer

Hey Blake, thanks for sharing this, really helpful for my son doing NCEA1.

Zac Pullen

Parent

Blake exemplifies what makes a great tech-sector professional: the ability to combine strong technical expertise with excellent soft skills. He pairs high-level technical competence and sharp critical thinking with outstanding collaboration and communication abilities.

Ian Hight

Client Director at Jade Software Corporation

Amazing man I love these kind of tutorials

Shoaib Hussain

Student

You are so good at what you do and so generous with your time and findings!

Tom Sweeny

Director - Crew Technology

You are an truly inspirational young guy, and you've got a lot ahead of you! Can't wait to see you transform NZ!!!

Nyssa Waters

CEO Possibl.ai

Firstly it was lovely collaborating with Blake through my podcast initiative 'The Tech'o'Space Podcast', he surely has set the standard high when it comes to innovation in the IT field.

Akhil Navuluri

Tech o Space Podcast

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Last updated 17 June 2026

Ready to work smarter with AI?

Stop researching. Start implementing.

Whether you need consulting, development, or training - we’ll help you find the right path. Every engagement starts with a free strategy call to understand your business and identify the biggest opportunities.