Independent consulting

Cloud architecture and AI consulting, delivered honestly

The technology is the easy part

  • Honest help in the middle of the journey.
  • Principles over prescriptions.
  • Plain language findings instead of slideware.
  • Explicit about what is out of scope.
  • The writing on this site is the proof.

Engagements

Senior cloud and AI help without justifying a full-time hire. Fractional architecture retainers, AI strategy before the spend, hands-on implementation when the use case is real, and fixed projects that leave the capability with your team.

  • Fractional Cloud Architecture and Advisory

    1–2 days / week

    Ongoing part-time cloud leadership for organisations that need senior expertise without justifying a full-time hire — strategy, reviews, migration planning, governance, and workshops for executives and engineering teams.

    What is included

    • Cloud strategy, roadmap, and cost optimisation (FinOps)
    • Architecture reviews and cloud migration planning (Azure, AWS, GCP)
    • Ongoing fractional cloud architect retainers — typically one to two days per week
    • Governance, security posture, and compliance guidance (Privacy Act, data sovereignty)
    • Workshops and education for executive and engineering teams

    Retainer from NZ$5,600 per month (indicative, one day per week)

    View details

  • AI Strategy and Adoption Consulting

    3–5 days fixed

    Helping organisations make sense of AI before they invest — readiness, genuine use cases, vendor choices, and governance — not theatre for the board pack.

    What is included

    • AI readiness assessments and use-case identification
    • LLM and GenAI strategy — where AI adds value versus hype
    • Vendor evaluation, build versus buy decisions, AI governance and ethics frameworks

    Readiness assessment: three to five days, fixed fee from NZ$4,500

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  • AI Implementation and Engineering

    Fixed-scope sprint

    Hands-on delivery of AI solutions from prototype to production — RAG, document intelligence, platform integration, and MLOps — when the use case is already validated.

    What is included

    • Custom AI and ML solution builds (RAG systems, chatbots, document intelligence)
    • Integrating AI into existing cloud platforms and workflows
    • MLOps — model deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management
    • Proof of concept sprints with a fixed scope and price

    Proof of concept sprint: fixed fee from NZ$7,000 (indicative)

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  • Cloud and AI Enablement

    8–10 days fixed

    Fixed-duration project work and capability building — Well Architected reviews, DevOps delivery, interim leadership, and workshops for executives and engineering teams so you are self-sufficient afterwards.

    What is included

    • Specific cloud projects: serverless builds, Kubernetes setup, DevOps pipelines
    • Well Architected reviews and remediation
    • Interim technical leadership during hiring gaps or transitions
    • Workshops and education for executive and engineering teams
    • Mentoring local teams and supporting New Zealand tech talent development

    Scoped projects from NZ$15,000 (indicative, around eight to ten days)

    View details

Remote first from Dunedin and Otago. Local strengths in agri-tech, marine science, education, health tech, and the digital sector — plus remote delivery to Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

Rates and how engagements are priced

Typical senior New Zealand day rates for this work sit around NZ$1,400 to NZ$2,000. Fixed scope packages are easier for SMEs to buy than open-ended contracts. Fractional retainers of one to two days a week bridge between engagements.