Workshop software, made in NZ

Hoist is a small Upper Hutt team building workshop software for New Zealand.

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We got tired of watching good workshops fight their software

Everywhere we went, workshop owners told us the same thing: their software was expensive, awkward to use, and hadn't kept up with how a modern business actually runs. The options felt built for a different era.

So we built something better, specifically for New Zealand workshops. No bloat, no inflated price tag, no runaround. We didn't inherit anyone else's old code or old habits. We started from scratch and kept it simple.

Meet the team

  • Jess Ross, Chief Executive Officer at Hoist

    Jess Ross

    Chief Executive Officer

    Driven by a simple goal: helping Kiwi businesses succeed. She enjoys building strong relationships and working alongside people who are passionate about what they do, and is honoured to work directly with incredible Kiwi businesses to create software that truly brings them value.

  • Alex Snyman, Chief Technology Officer at Hoist

    Alex Snyman

    Chief Technology Officer

    A passionate off-roader with a background in systems and software engineering across the medical and defence industries. Now channelling that expertise into building workshop software that just works.

  • Tom Devonshire, Fullstack Engineer at Hoist

    Tom Devonshire

    Fullstack Engineer

    A software engineering graduate passionate about creating software that solves real-world business problems. Through Hoist, he pursues that passion by building modern, reliable, and efficient software for workshops around New Zealand.

  • Lucy Harris, Client Success Manager at Hoist

    Lucy Harris

    Client Success Manager

    Enthusiastic interaction designer focused on enhancing the user experience ensuring intuitive navigation of software driven by usability and innovation. Excited to work alongside a passionate Kiwi team to connect and build lasting relationships with clients.

The principles behind every release

We're a small team, so what we choose to care about shows up in the product fast. These are the things we don't compromise on.

  • Customer-First

    Every decision starts with the question: "How does this help workshop owners succeed?"

  • Simplicity

    Features that do a lot, without needing a manual. We keep the complicated parts out of your way.

  • Reliability

    Your business runs on this, so we build it to be dependable and we treat any downtime as a big deal.

  • Continuous Improvement

    We ship improvements every week based on customer feedback and evolving needs.

  • Local Focus

    Built in New Zealand, for New Zealand. We understand the Kiwi workshop environment.

  • Transparency

    Honest pricing, public roadmap, and open communication. No surprises, ever.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hoist based?
Hoist is based in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. We're a proudly Kiwi company building software specifically designed for New Zealand automotive workshops.
When did Hoist launch?
We started building Hoist in 2023 after spending time understanding what workshop owners actually needed. We opened to the public in April 2026 - and the early response has been beyond what we expected.
Is Hoist only for New Zealand workshops?
Yes, Hoist is built specifically for New Zealand workshops. We integrate with NZ-specific needs like rego lookups and Xero NZ to provide the best experience for Kiwi businesses.
How is Hoist different from other workshop software?
Hoist is modern, affordable, and built by people who understand the NZ automotive industry. Pricing is published up front, support is local, and the features are designed for how Kiwi workshops operate.
Can I try Hoist before committing?
Yes. The free trial has every feature on, so you judge Hoist on your own jobs rather than a demo.

Try it on your own jobs

Every part of Hoist is free for 14 days, or we can show you around first.

Start free trialBook a demo

Or call us on 04 242 0451