Compare us to your other options.
There are plenty of ways to get admin off your plate. Here’s how having your own E-assist EA stacks up.
The true cost of an in-house EA.
Salary is only the start. Here’s what a full-time Executive Assistant costs a year once the extras are added, next to an E-assist retainer.
| Annual cost | In-house EA | E-assist |
|---|---|---|
| Salary or retainerIn-house: median full-time EA salary in New Zealand. E-assist: $3,200 + GST a month, annualised. | $82,500 | $38,400 |
| Employer KiwiSaver3.5% of salary | $2,888 | $0 |
| ACC levies0.3% of salary | $248 | $0 |
| OverheadsOffice space, supplies, phone and tech equipment | $3,500 | $0 |
| Recruitment & onboarding | $4,500 | $0 |
| Total true cost | $93,63613.5% on top of salary | $38,400No on-costs |
Figures are annual estimates for comparison. Your costs will vary with salary, industry ACC rates and how many hours of support you need. E-assist pricing excludes GST.
Beyond the cost.
How an E-assist EA compares with your other options on everything else.
| E-assist | Hiring an employee | |
|---|---|---|
| Leave days | None. You pay only for hours worked. | 32 days a year, paid but not worked. |
| Cover during absence | Continuity built in. | None. Work stops, or you do it yourself. |
| Time to full productivity | Around 2 weeks. | Around 3 months, on full salary. |
| Employment risk | None. Contract terms with 30 days’ notice. | Grievances, redundancy and performance management. |
| Ability to scale down | From your next billing cycle. | A restructure. |
| Backing | The E-assist team, systems and founder oversight behind your EA. | One person, on their own. |
| E-assist | A freelancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Vetting | Every team member vetted for professionalism, proactivity and discretion. | You sort through candidates and hope for the best. |
| Fit | Matched to you, and you meet your EA before signing up. | Hit and miss. |
| Quality oversight | Quality oversight and regular check-in reviews. | None beyond your own management. |
| Confidentiality | Signed agreement, secure password management and strict data protocols before system access. | Varies by individual. |
| Continuity | A team and documented processes behind your EA. | If they’re unavailable, so is your support. |
| E-assist | An offshore VA | |
|---|---|---|
| Time zone | NZ business hours, working alongside you. | Overnight hand-offs and delayed responses. |
| Local context | Understands NZ businesses, suppliers and how things get done here. | Learning curve on local context. |
| Level of support | Executive Assistant: proactive, judgement-led ownership. | Task-based admin that waits for instructions. |
| Relationship | One consistent EA who learns what makes you tick. | Often a rotating pool. |
A small team, held to high standards.
E-assist is a small, carefully selected team. Every member is vetted for professionalism, proactivity and discretion, with quality oversight and regular check-in reviews. You get personalised attention, not a faceless agency.
Confidentiality is non-negotiable.
We use secure password management, strict data-handling protocols, and a signed confidentiality agreement before accessing any of your systems. Your information stays your information.
Insured, compliant and trusted across industries.
Fully insured and compliant, and trusted by 50+ NZ businesses across manufacturing, professional services, hospitality, marketing and more.