A virtual receptionist for New Zealand small businesses

What a virtual receptionist does

It answers your business line, finds out what the caller wants and answers common questions from your services, hours and prices. Booking requests and messages get written down for you to confirm. Your customers talk to someone helpful instead of a voicemail beep, and you read the summary when you've got a minute.

AI or a person?

Human virtual receptionists are good with unusual calls, but they usually charge per minute or per call, work set hours and mostly take messages. HiAnda answers any time and can take several calls at once. It sticks to what you've told it: it won't quote a price that isn't on your list or promise a time you haven't opened, and when it doesn't know something it takes a message instead of guessing.

English and Mandarin

Four voices to choose from. Arlo (Australian accent) and Maia (New Zealand accent) answer in English; Mei and Kai answer in Mandarin. Pick one of each, so regulars hear the same voice every time. Your summaries come in Chinese by default, or English if you prefer. That matters in Auckland, where plenty of customers and owners are more at home in Mandarin.

How setup works

Tell HiAnda about your business: services, hours, prices and the questions customers usually ask. Then set call forwarding on the number you already have. Set it up yourself in minutes, or we'll set it up for you free. Call transcripts are in your dashboard, so you can see how each call went.

Who it suits

Sole traders and small teams who can't pick up while they work: trades, cleaners, clinics, salons, property managers and consultants.

Pricing

Starter: $79 / month + GST for 100 minutes, then $0.39 / min + GST. Solo: $149 / month + GST for 300 minutes, then $0.29 / min + GST. Team: $299 / month + GST for 750 minutes, then $0.24 / min + GST. Prices in NZD. Same features on every plan, English and Mandarin included, no setup fee. Pay monthly with no contract and cancel anytime. The first 20 businesses get the founding offer: an early-bird price for the first 3 months, then the normal price, with no increase until 12 months after you start. Set it up yourself in minutes, or we'll set it up for you free.

Hear it now

Call 09 886 7006 and press 1 for English or 2 for Mandarin. Step 1: tell it what business you run, like "I run a beauty salon in Newmarket." Step 2: play a customer: "Have you got anything Saturday morning for a full set of lashes? And how much is it?" Then ask for a price you never gave it and see what it does. No sign-up, no form.

Frequently asked questions

Will callers know it's AI?

It doesn't say so up front. It greets callers like a receptionist and mentions the call is recorded. If a caller asks whether it's an AI, it answers honestly.

Can it put calls through to me?

No, it doesn't pass calls on live. It takes the details, and you get a summary by email after the call with the caller's number, so you can ring back.

Where do messages and booking requests go?

Every call ends with a short email summary: who called, what they wanted, what happened and whether to call back. Booking requests come through the same way for you to confirm. Call transcripts are in your dashboard. WeChat notifications are coming soon.

Do I have to change my phone number?

No. You keep your number and set call forwarding on it: all calls, only after hours, or only the ones you don't pick up. Switch forwarding off anytime and calls come straight back to you.