Semantic search (RAG) in Wānaka.
Built and supported here - the way a Wānaka business would actually use it.
Wānaka businesses gear up for ski season from June, then summer visitors. We automate rostering, bookings and guest messages so small teams handle big weeks.
On the tools or running at scale, the admin still eats the week :)
The questions a public sector buyer asks, answered up front: privacy impact, the NZISM, where the data lives and how an algorithm is held to account.
*Illustrative example based on nine hours a week of admin. Actual results vary by workflow and business.
Business in Wānaka.
Wānaka's visitor economy centres on its lakes, mountains and ski areas, Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm, which operate from June to October.
Lake Wanaka Tourism has more than 450 member businesses. Ski areas operate from June to October.
What semantic search (RAG) actually does
Search that understands intent, not just keywords. With the right workflow automated, nine hours of admin a week could drop to about one.*
*Illustrative example only, based on 9 hours a week of admin falling to about 1 hour a week. Actual results vary by workflow and business.
An AI agency, minus the theatre.
*Every engagement is scoped and quoted up front. Results vary by workflow and business.
If we build the right slice first, Wānaka teams feel the difference inside the first month. Average search time drops from 6 minutes to 12 seconds. Kiwi Dynamics
How much is the admin really costing you?
Nine hours a week of admin is 468 hours a year. That could drop to about 52.*
*Illustrative, based on 9 hours a week of admin at a typical 80% automation rate. The calculator uses your own numbers.
Questions Wānaka businesses ask
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.
Has this actually shipped for a real Wānaka?
Yes. Average search time drops from 6 minutes to 12 seconds. We'll share comparable engagements on the call.
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 Wānaka businesses are surprised how small the first cheque is.
What happens when the Holidays Act is replaced?
The Employment Leave Act 2026 replaces it on 6 August 2028. Until then payroll follows the current Holidays Act, so leave calculations need to handle today's rules and the changeover.
Does scheduling handle public holidays?
It should. New Zealand has 11 national public holidays, including Matariki, plus a regional anniversary day that depends on where your business is.
Let's chat
StartContact us
Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll reply with how we'd build it, no obligation.
Was this helpful?
Thanks, your comment is with our team.