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Last updated 11 November 2026. Published by Simple-Growth (Motherbase Limited). Market: New Zealand.

There are now more ways for a NZ owner to learn AI than there are hours in the week: free workshops, a government co-funded advisory pilot, paid leadership programmes and one-to-one help. They suit different owners. Here is what each one is, who it suits, and five questions that point you to the right first step.

A disclosure first: Simple-Growth publishes this guide and sells AI workshops and coaching, so it is one of the options below and not a neutral judge. Every other option is described from its own public page, read on 11 November 2026 (New Zealand time). Prices and dates change, so confirm with the provider before you commit.

Why Does The Starting Point Matter?

Clemenger Group research of 397 NZ business leaders, reported by IT Brief New Zealand on 12 February 2026, found 71% of SMEs with 10 to 49 full-time staff believe new technology could deliver significant productivity gains, while more than half of NZ businesses report barriers to adopting it. The gap between those two numbers is where money gets wasted: owners buy a course before they know which job they want AI to do.

The Options, And Who Each One Suits

  • Free workshops (Spark and Icehouse). IT Brief reported in February 2026 that Spark and the Icehouse launched a free in-person series for SME owners and managers, covering leadership routines, process improvement, digital tools and introductory AI. Attendees leave with a 30-day plan, a weekly review rhythm and a "Stop, Start, Systemise" list, and get access to Spark's AI Foundations course, which IT Brief says normally costs $450. The article gave no dates, so check the Icehouse for current sessions. Suits: an owner who wants a free, low-risk first look. Does not suit: someone who needs a plan built around their own numbers.
  • Free webinars and meetups (A.Icehouse). The Icehouse's A.Icehouse page lists a free weekly online AI introduction (60 minutes, with live Q&A) and a free in-person monthly meetup in Parnell, Auckland. The dates on the page when read were from 2025, so treat it as a pattern to check, not a schedule. Suits: owners who learn by hearing how others did it. Does not suit: anyone who wants a decision made for them.
  • Paid leadership programmes (A.Icehouse). The same page lists an AI Traction Programme (four-week online cohort for senior leadership teams, $13,795 + GST per company including up to 10 seats, aimed at owners with $3M+ turnover) and two-day AI Live Intensives ($5,995 + GST per person, minimum two attendees per company). Dates shown were October and November 2025, so confirm what is running now. Suits: larger teams who want to align leaders on a costed roadmap. Does not suit: a six-person business with one clear use case.
  • Government co-funding (AI Advisory Pilot). Up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $2,500 for an AI roadmap and $12,500 for implementation ($15,000 in total), for businesses under 50 full-time equivalent staff, with applications open to 30 June 2027, through the Regional Business Partner Network. Work done before approval is not funded. Our explainer covers how to apply. Suits: any eligible owner about to spend on AI advice, because it can halve the bill. Does not suit: anyone who has already started the work.
  • One-to-one help (Simple-Growth, and others). Kevin D'Ambros-Smith runs AI workshops and coaching for owners that start from the business problem, then choose the tool. Fees are discussed on a free 30-minute call. Suits: an owner who wants the use case chosen against their own numbers and a 90-day plan with dates. Does not suit: someone who simply wants to watch a demo, where a free session does the job.

"Kevin got me to connect our ERP, email, website and Google Analytics to AI, and it has changed how we find and keep customers. AI now writes tailored prospecting emails every day and reaches out to lapsed customers with the products they bought before, and we're already getting positive replies. Our blogs, newsletters and SEO are all stronger too. Kevin doesn't just talk about AI, he helps you put it to work in your business."

Stephanie Lowe
Insinc Products Ltd

Five Questions To Choose Your First Step

  • Can you name the one job you want AI to do? If not, start with a free session. If yes, go to question two.
  • Is your business under 50 full-time equivalent staff? If yes, apply for the AI Advisory Pilot before you pay any adviser, because work done first is not funded.
  • Do you need your leadership team aligned, or just you? A team of leaders points to a programme; a single owner points to one-to-one help or a free workshop.
  • Is your data in a usable state? AI that reads your accounting, email or ERP only helps if those are tidy. Fixing that first is often the real first project.
  • What would a good result look like in 90 days? Write one number, such as hours saved a week or replies from lapsed customers. If the provider cannot help you set it, keep looking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free AI workshops for NZ small businesses?

Yes. IT Brief New Zealand reported on 12 February 2026 that Spark and the Icehouse launched a free in-person workshop series for SME owners and managers. The article gave no dates, so check the Icehouse for current sessions.

How much does the Icehouse charge for AI programmes?

The Icehouse's A.Icehouse page, read on 11 November 2026, listed an AI Traction Programme at $13,795 + GST per company (up to 10 seats) and AI Live Intensives at $5,995 + GST per person. The dates shown were from 2025, so confirm current availability and pricing with the Icehouse.

Can the government pay for part of my AI adviser?

Possibly. The AI Advisory Pilot co-funds up to 50% of eligible costs, to $2,500 for an AI roadmap and $12,500 for implementation, for NZ businesses under 50 full-time equivalent staff. Applications are open to 30 June 2027 through the Regional Business Partner Network, and work done before approval is not funded.

Should I start with a free workshop or a paid programme?

If you cannot yet name the one job you want AI to do, start with a free session. If you can, and you are under 50 staff, apply for co-funding first, then choose a provider on fit for your numbers.

Not sure which first step fits? A 30-minute conversation will tell you honestly, including when the right answer is a free session you can book yourself.

Book my free 30-minute call

Sources (read 11 November 2026): IT Brief New Zealand, 12 February 2026, Clemenger Group research and Spark and Icehouse workshops (New Zealand); The Icehouse, A.Icehouse webinars and meetups (New Zealand); The Icehouse, AI Traction and Intensives (New Zealand); business.govt.nz, AI Advisory Pilot (New Zealand). Last updated 11 November 2026.

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