3 days ago
Voyage marks decade of growth with focus on AI & culture
Voyage, a Christchurch-based digital agency, has marked ten years in the web and app development sector as it prepares for the next phase of growth, with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence and workplace culture.
Anniversary milestone
Founded in 2015, Voyage has delivered website and app development services to a range of public and private sector clients. The company has consistently emphasised tangible business outcomes and prioritised work-life balance for its employees.
According to the agency, its guiding philosophy holds that "success is measured by the tangible outcomes delivered to clients not just by the technology used, and by making sure all employees have an optimal work-life balance."
Technological shifts
The past decade has seen significant change, with Voyage adapting to advancements in digital technology. The company has maintained a commitment to flexibility in its technological approach and has not relied on a single platform or language. Early on, Voyage became a Silverstripe partner due to in-house expertise and developed capabilities in cloud-based solutions. In more recent years, development with and React Native has become a core part of its technical stack.
Artificial intelligence now features prominently in the firm's strategy. AI integration has been used to streamline prototyping, reduce time to market, and improve delivery outcomes. Ryan O'Hara, Director and Founder, said: We've always prided ourselves on our ability to move with the times while staying true to our core values. As we enter our next decade, we're excited to bring even more value to our clients by using AI to streamline processes and deliver more tangible results, faster. Our focus will always be on delivering the best outcomes for our clients.
AI in development processes
Voyage has incorporated AI across various stages of development. The company reports that AI-driven tools help accelerate the prototyping process, offering quicker iterations and enabling clients to make informed decisions earlier in the development cycle.
O'Hara commented: AI is a transformative tool helping us provide even more value to our clients. By incorporating it into our workflows, we're able to offer smarter, faster solutions that drive results. We're excited about what the future holds.
Emphasis on workplace culture
An ongoing focus at Voyage has been the wellbeing of its staff. The company said it fosters a culture based on trust, flexibility, and work-life balance, in line with findings from the Randstad Workmonitor 2025 report, which suggests that a sense of belonging and trust in leadership are important factors in employee performance and retention.
O'Hara said: It's never been complicated for me. From the beginning my stance was, we do good work and we live our lives. If people are parents and they need to pick up their kid, go and do it. If you have a dentist appointment, you don't need permission. If you need to work from home for a day, go for it. We emphasise a culture of trust and top quality outcomes, the rest fits into place from there.
Project work and client relationships
Voyage has contributed to projects for several government organisations, including the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Social Development's Love Better campaign, and Education New Zealand. The agency reports that its approach has remained consistent across varying client requirements and industries, focusing on delivering what it describes as "gold standard, world-class results."
Looking ahead
The company believes it is positioned to continue adapting as digital technologies evolve. With its focus on both client results and workplace culture, Voyage aims to leverage AI to continue offering relevant digital products and services.
O'Hara reflected on the company's past and future, stating: We've weathered many changes over the years, but our commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients has never wavered. We're proud of what we've achieved in the past decade, and we're excited about the future. We're ready to embrace the new opportunities that AI and other technologies will bring, and we're confident that we'll continue to evolve in ways that, ultimately, benefit our clients.
