New Zealand has a deep bench of web agencies for a country of five million: enterprise-grade studios in Hamilton and Wellington, conversion-focused SMB shops in Auckland, and remote teams that ship NZ projects from other time zones at lower rates. The hard part is not finding an agency — it is matching the agency's actual strengths to your project and budget.
Full disclosure before the list: 99 Francs (that's us) is on it, and Glasshouse Digital is a studio we collaborate with on Auckland projects. We have kept every description factual so the list stays useful even if you never talk to us.
1. 99 Francs — remote, senior, outcome-based (that's us)
99 Francs is a senior design-and-development studio that works with New Zealand clients remotely. The NZ proof is public: 4 Madeira Place, a townhouse development site in Grafton, Auckland, and The Pacifica Penthouse, the highest residence in New Zealand — both built in collaboration with Auckland's Glasshouse Digital. The commercial model is the differentiator: no deposit, the project is split into phases with fixed NZD pricing, and you pay at the end of a phase only when you are satisfied. Promo landing pages start from NZ$1,000 and marketing websites from NZ$1,700 — see web development for New Zealand for the full price list.
Best for: businesses that want senior design and build quality at below-local rates and are comfortable working with a remote team whose workday overlaps the NZ morning.
2. Glasshouse Digital — Auckland, results-driven digital
Glasshouse Digital is an Auckland digital agency focused on measurable results across web, brand and digital marketing. We know them from the inside — Madeira Place and The Pacifica Penthouse were joint projects — and they are the kind of local partner who owns outcomes, not just deliverables. Best for: businesses that want an on-the-ground Auckland team leading strategy and delivery.
3. Enlighten Designs — Hamilton, enterprise and government
Founded in 1998 and now employing 70+ people, Enlighten Designs is one of New Zealand's most established digital agencies. The stack is enterprise-grade — custom application development, Microsoft Azure, Power BI and AI services — and the client base includes government agencies, iwi and leading NZ brands. Best for: complex platforms, public-sector procurement and organisations that need an enterprise partner rather than a website shop.
4. Somar Digital — Wellington, UX-led public-sector work
Somar Digital is a Wellington agency specialising in web design and development, user experience and digital services with a strong public-sector and community footprint. Best for: government, NGO and service-design-heavy projects where accessibility and user research lead the build.
5. The Web Guys — Auckland, websites plus marketing
Based in Parnell, The Web Guys combine website design and development with SEO, PPC and digital marketing for startups and established companies. Best for: SMBs that want the website and the traffic strategy handled by one team.
6. White Rabbit — custom web design nationwide
White Rabbit delivers creative, strategic custom web design for businesses across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and the rest of New Zealand. Best for: companies outside the main centres that still want bespoke design rather than a template.
7. Lucid Media — Auckland, conversion-focused rebuilds
Lucid Media positions itself around what it calls "digital revival" — rebuilding underperforming websites for established SMBs across New Zealand and Australia with a focus on revenue, not just aesthetics. Best for: businesses whose current site looks fine but does not convert.
8. Zesty — Auckland, lead-generating SMB websites
Zesty builds bespoke, lead-generating websites for Kiwi businesses and has a reputation for responsive service and fast turnarounds. Best for: small businesses that want a dependable local partner and ongoing support after launch.
How the shortlist compares
| Agency | Base | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 99 Francs | Remote (NZ-friendly hours) | Senior design + build from NZ$1,000, outcome-based payment |
| Glasshouse Digital | Auckland | Local partner owning strategy and results |
| Enlighten Designs | Hamilton | Enterprise platforms, government and iwi |
| Somar Digital | Wellington | UX-led public-sector and community projects |
| The Web Guys | Auckland (Parnell) | SMB website + SEO/PPC under one roof |
| White Rabbit | Nationwide | Custom design outside the main centres |
| Lucid Media | Auckland | Conversion-focused rebuilds for established SMBs |
| Zesty | Auckland | Lead-generating small-business websites |
How to choose between them
- Match the agency's proof to your project type: ask for live examples in your industry, not a general portfolio.
- Compare models, not just quotes: a NZ$6,000 fixed-scope build and a NZ$6,000 time-and-materials engagement are very different risks.
- Ask who does the work: senior-led small teams and junior-heavy production lines quote similar numbers with different outcomes.
- Check the payment structure: deposits of 40–50% upfront are standard in NZ, which is exactly why an outcome-based, pay-per-phase model is worth weighing against local quotes.
- Confirm post-launch ownership: CMS access, hosting, analytics and content should belong to you, not the agency.
If you are budgeting first and shortlisting second, start with our companion guide: how much website development costs in New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions.
Need this done instead of just read about it?
99 Francs is a subscription-based design studio: one flat monthly rate, unlimited requests, first delivery in 1–2 days. Start with pricing or book a free intro call.
