How to budget for AI in 2027
What AI tools cost a New Zealand small business, what to compare them with, and how to tell if it’s working.
What AI costs, by kind of tool
| Kind of tool | What it does | NOVA’s price, as an example |
|---|---|---|
| Chat assistant | Answers questions and drafts text when you ask | Not a NOVA product; many have free and paid plans |
| AI employees | Work through jobs in a role, with your approval before anything is sent | JENA: NZ$29, NZ$99 or NZ$299 a month, GST included |
| AI receptionist and caller | Answers the phone, books times, makes approved sales calls | Ora: NZ$149, NZ$349 or NZ$790 a month plus GST |
| Checking AI decisions and text | Checks an AI’s numbers, rewrites and decisions | Gnomon: prepaid credit, free test keys |
Prices as at 3 November 2026. We’ll update this table in January 2027.
Compare it with the real alternative
The adult minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026, before holiday pay and KiwiSaver1. Ten hours a month of admin is at least NZ$240 at that rate. If an AI tool saves more time than it costs, or wins one extra job a month, it pays its way.
A simple way to budget
- Pick the jobs. Name the two or three tasks you want off your plate, such as quotes, follow-ups or answering the phone.
- Price one tool per job. Don’t pay for three tools that do the same thing.
- Set a monthly cap. Choose tools that tell you before you hit it. Ora emails at 80% and 100% of your minutes and never charges for extra minutes.
- Measure for 60 days. Hours saved, calls answered, quotes sent, invoices paid.
- Keep what works. Drop what doesn’t.
Is it a business expense?
Software you use to run the business is generally a deductible expense, and GST-registered businesses can usually claim GST on New Zealand-priced subscriptions. Check with your accountant for your situation.
For a bigger decision, such as AI versus a new hire, play it out first: can I afford to hire? walks through it.
1. Adult minimum wage from 1 April 2026: Employment New Zealand.
Short on time? Read Bjorn’s short version on LinkedIn.
Questions
How much should a small business spend on AI?
At today’s prices, roughly NZ$30 to NZ$500 a month for one to three AI tools, depending on the jobs. Budget per job, and compare it with hours saved or jobs won.
What does JENA cost?
NZ$29, NZ$99 or NZ$299 a month per workspace, GST included, with a 7-day free trial and no card.
What does Ora cost?
NZ$149, NZ$349 or NZ$790 a month plus GST, with 100, 400 or 1,000 call minutes and no extra-minute charges.
Give the busywork to an AI team.
Pick a role, connect your apps and approve the first job. Free for 7 days, no card.