The version of semantic search (RAG) that works for a Dunedin business is rarely the version a national vendor would sell you. We build the one that fits how your team actually operates – usually with fewer parts than the off-the-shelf pitch.
Otago · Applied AI
For Dunedin operators who want a working pilot in weeks, not a year-long programme.
What semantic search (RAG) actually does
Search that understands intent, not just keywords. Your team types what they mean – and gets the right document, ticket, or product from across every system, with citations.
- 01 Indexes Drive, SharePoint, Notion, Slack, your CRM
- 02 Returns answers with source links – no hallucinations
- 03 Permissioned so staff only see what they should
- 04 Re-indexes nightly so results stay fresh
Built on: Pinecone Claude Postgres pgvector Vercel AI SDK
Without Kiwi Dynamics
With Kiwi Dynamics
Otago
The Dunedin context, plainly.
- Dunedin pairs a strong university research culture with practical southern businesses. AI here means proven tools, not hype.
- Education, health, tech, and a tourism shoulder season that hits hard. AI helps Dunedin teams smooth the peaks and protect the people.
We work with teams across Dunedin: CBD · North Dunedin · South Dunedin · Mosgiel · Port Chalmers · Green Island.
Talk to us about this →
How we build semantic search (RAG) for a Dunedin team.
We scope narrow, ship a working pilot, then harden it into production. The first slice is the highest-leverage workflow for your Dunedin business, so value lands before the build is finished. AI search over your data.
Talk to usThe outcome for Dunedin teams
Average search time drops from 6 minutes to 12 seconds. For Dunedin teams, that almost always shows up as fewer interruptions and a calmer week, not a dashboard chart.
Not your typical AI agency.
Honest about what AI can and cannot do
Ships the one workflow that pays for itself
Hours given back, never the size of the invoice
*Every engagement is scoped and quoted up front. Results vary by workflow and business.
Questions
FAQ
When does semantic search (RAG) actually pay back?
Inside the first quarter, in our experience. We pick the first slice specifically because it's the highest-leverage workflow for a Dunedin – so the savings start landing before the rest of the build is finished.
How do you price semantic search (RAG) engagements?
Fixed-scope pilots first, then either project pricing or a small monthly retainer for the ongoing work. No long lock-ins, no 18-month black-box deals. Most Dunedin businesses are surprised how small the first cheque is.
Can you walk us through a comparable build?
Yes – on the first call we'll pick the closest engagement we've shipped to what you're describing and walk through the outcome, the headcount and the time it took. Average search time drops from 6 minutes to 12 seconds.
Will this run on our own infrastructure?
Yes, where it makes sense. Semantic search (RAG) can sit entirely in your cloud account, with model calls routed through endpoints you control. We default to Pinecone, Claude, Postgres pgvector, Vercel AI SDK but the architecture supports your existing platform choices.
The honest version of a sales call.
No deck. No discovery doc. Just whether this is worth building and what it would cost.
Get in touch
Talk to us about this
Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll reply with how we'd build it — no obligation.