Web development
Fast, secure websites, customer portals, dashboards and SaaS products built on modern, maintainable stacks.
Software development & AI · Aotearoa New Zealand
Custom software and AI that help Kiwi businesses grow.
Spend less time on repetitive work and more time on customers. SouthLab builds web applications, Android and iOS apps, and AI-powered automation for New Zealand businesses — from first idea to launch, and long after.
Work smarterAutomate the busywork that slows your team down.
Reach customers anywhereWeb, Android and iOS from one partner.
Grow with confidenceSecure, scalable and supported locally.
Services
End-to-end software development
One team for strategy, design and engineering, so your product is built right and keeps working after launch.
Android apps
Native and cross-platform Android apps, built to Google Play standards and tested on the devices your customers use.
iOS apps
Polished iPhone and iPad apps that follow Apple's design guidelines, from prototype to App Store release.
AI transformation
Find where AI genuinely saves time or creates value, then build it into your workflows safely and measurably.
Cloud & integrations
Connect the tools you already rely on — accounting, CRM, e-commerce, payments — and run it all on reliable cloud infrastructure.
Support & maintenance
Security updates, monitoring, OS-version upgrades and steady improvement, so your software stays healthy after launch.
AI transformation
Practical AI, not hype
We help New Zealand teams adopt AI step by step: start with a real business problem, prove the value, then scale what works.
Opportunity assessment
We map your processes and identify the use cases with the clearest return.
- Workflow & data review
- Prioritised AI roadmap
- Cost and risk estimates
AI assistants & automation
Custom assistants and automations that work with your documents, systems and team.
- Customer support assistants
- Document processing & search
- Back-office automation
Responsible adoption
AI that respects your customers' data and fits New Zealand's privacy expectations.
- Privacy Act 2020 considerations
- Human-in-the-loop design
- Team training & handover
What AI can do for your business
Real, proven use cases we can build and integrate into your existing systems.
24/7 customer service chatbot
Answer enquiries instantly on your website, Facebook, WhatsApp or WeChat, and hand off to staff when needed.
AI receptionist & bookings
Handle calls and messages, take bookings and send reminders — no missed leads after hours.
Invoice & document processing
Extract data from invoices, receipts and forms and push it straight into Xero, MYOB or your CRM.
Company knowledge assistant
Ask questions in plain English and get answers from your policies, manuals and past projects.
Quotes & proposals in minutes
Generate accurate, on-brand quotes, proposals and reports from a few details.
Sales & lead automation
Qualify leads, draft follow-up emails and keep your CRM up to date automatically.
Marketing content
Product descriptions, social posts, newsletters and SEO content in your brand voice.
Data insights & reporting
Ask "how did sales go last month?" and get charts and answers from your own data.
Forecasting & inventory
Predict demand, optimise stock levels and reduce waste using your sales history.
Email & inbox triage
Sort, summarise and draft replies so your team focuses on what matters.
Translation & multilingual service
Serve customers in English, Chinese and more with accurate, natural translation.
Image & quality inspection
Use computer vision to check products, read labels or analyse site photos.
Meeting notes & action items
Turn meetings and calls into summaries, tasks and follow-ups automatically.
AI agents for workflows
Multi-step agents that complete back-office tasks across your apps, with approval checkpoints.
Smart search & recommendations
Help shoppers find the right product and increase average order value.
AI features in your app
Add AI to your existing website or mobile app — chat, search, summaries and more.
How we work
A clear path from idea to launch
Short cycles, regular demos and plain-English updates, so you always know where your project stands.
Discover
Understand your business, users and goals. Agree on scope, budget and success measures.
Design
Prototype the experience and architecture, and validate it with real users before heavy build.
Build
Develop in iterations with working software you can try every step of the way.
Launch & grow
Release, monitor and improve. We stay on as your long-term technology partner.
Why SouthLab
Built for New Zealand businesses
Local and in your time zone
Based in New Zealand and working NZ hours, so meetings and support happen when you need them.
One team, every platform
Web, Android, iOS and AI under one roof, with a single point of contact and a shared codebase strategy.
Sized for SMEs
Right-sized engagements and transparent estimates for small and medium businesses, not enterprise overhead.
English and Mandarin
We work comfortably in both languages, helpful for bilingual teams and businesses trading with Asia.
Industries
Software and AI for every kind of Kiwi business
We tailor solutions to how your industry actually works.
- Retail & e-commerceOnline stores, inventory, product AI
- Hospitality & tourismBookings, ordering, multilingual guests
- Construction & tradesQuoting, job management, site reports
- Professional servicesAccounting, legal, consulting workflows
- Health & clinicsPatient booking, admin automation
- Agriculture & horticultureField apps, data and forecasting
- Logistics & distributionTracking, dispatch, driver apps
- Education & trainingLearning platforms, AI tutors
- Real estate & propertyListings, tenant portals, lead follow-up
- Import & exportCross-border trade, bilingual tools
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an app or website in New Zealand?
It depends on scope, platforms and integrations. After a short discovery session we give you a clear, itemised estimate, and we can start with a lean first version to keep the initial investment small.
Should we build native or cross-platform mobile apps?
Cross-platform (one codebase for Android and iOS) is usually faster and more cost-effective. Native makes sense when you need heavy device features or maximum performance. We recommend the right fit for your goals and budget.
Is AI right for a small business?
Often, yes. Many of the best wins are small: answering common customer questions, processing invoices, drafting quotes or summarising documents. We start with one focused use case and measure the time or money it saves.
How do you keep our data safe when using AI?
We design with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 in mind: minimal data sharing, access controls, choosing providers that do not train on your data, and human review for important decisions.
Can you take over or improve our existing software?
Yes. We can review an existing website, app or system, fix issues, modernise it, and add new features or AI capabilities without starting from scratch.
Do you work with businesses outside Auckland?
Yes. We work with businesses across New Zealand, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin, meeting online or in person where practical.
Let's find your quickest win.
Book a free 30-minute consultation. Tell us what's slowing your business down, and we'll suggest practical ways software or AI can help — no obligation.