Social media agency or AI? NZ costs compared (2027)
What you pay an agency to run your Facebook and Instagram, and which of that work AI can now draft.
What a social media retainer usually buys
- A content calendar and a set number of posts a week
- Captions and simple designed images
- Replies to comments and messages
- A monthly report
- Ad campaign management, usually with ad spend on top
Typical NZ prices: NZ$1,000 to NZ$3,000 a month plus ad spend (Digital Hall of Fame), with quotes across the market from NZ$500 to NZ$5,000 (Netbranding).
Which parts AI does well
The calendar, captions, post images and first-draft replies. Agencies use AI for this too: in a Databox and Jasper survey of 255 agencies, about 88% said they use generative AI for written content. With your own photos of real jobs and products, AI posts look like your business, not stock.
Which parts still need a person
- Approving every post. Prices, offers and claims must be right under the Fair Trading Act.
- Ad budgets in the thousands. Daily testing and bidding is a specialist job.
- Video shoots and anything filmed on site.
The cost over a year
| Option | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Social media agency (low end) | NZ$1,000 plus GST and ad spend | NZ$12,000 plus GST |
| JENA Starter | NZ$29, GST included | NZ$348 |
| JENA Team (up to 10 AI employees, 5 people) | NZ$99, GST included | NZ$1,188 |
JENA posts to Facebook and Instagram after your approval. Full disclosure: NOVA makes JENA.
Start with the overview: marketing agency or AI? What NZ businesses pay in 2027.
Questions
How much does social media management cost in NZ?
Commonly NZ$1,000 to NZ$3,000 a month plus ad spend, with quotes ranging from NZ$500 to NZ$5,000.
Can AI run my business's social media?
AI can draft the calendar, captions, images and replies. A person should approve every post, and large ad budgets still suit a specialist.
Does JENA post without asking?
No. JENA asks for approval before anything is posted or sent on your behalf.
Give the busywork to an AI team.
Pick a role, connect your apps and approve the first job. Free for 7 days, no card.