In a significant advancement for higher education in New Zealand, TechnologyOne, a leading provider of SaaS enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, has launched Guide, an innovative agentic artificial intelligence (AI) assistant designed specifically to enhance student support. Announced at the company's London Showcase on 25 February 2026, Guide marks the first time enterprise-grade AI has been extended directly to students, enabling personalised, proactive guidance throughout their academic journey. This development comes at a pivotal moment for Kiwi universities, where student expectations for digital, on-demand support are rising amid challenges like mental health pressures, administrative burdens, and resource constraints.
TechnologyOne, which powers over 60% of higher education institutions across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom through its OneEducation suite—including the StudentOne student management system—positions Guide as a game-changer. By integrating deeply with core university systems, Guide transforms fragmented information and processes into seamless, conversational experiences accessible via a dedicated app or web browser on any device.
What is Agentic AI and How Does Guide Harness It?
At the heart of Guide is agentic AI, a sophisticated form of artificial intelligence that goes beyond simple chatbots. Unlike reactive tools that merely answer queries, agentic AI autonomously plans, makes decisions, uses integrated tools, and adapts over time to achieve specific goals with minimal human intervention. For students, this means Guide interprets natural language inputs—via voice or text—understands context and intent, and orchestrates multi-step actions across university systems.
In practice, Guide maintains continuous awareness of a student's unique profile, including enrolment status, study load, results, progression rules, and key milestones. It proactively surfaces reminders, creates to-do lists, and offers timely interventions during critical periods, such as results release or assessment deadlines. For instance, if a student is at risk of failing a unit, Guide doesn't just flag it—it guides them through next steps like booking academic advising or accessing wellbeing resources, directly initiating workflows within StudentOne.
Key Features Tailored for New Zealand Students
Guide consolidates public-facing university information into a dynamic, always-up-to-date knowledge base, synced from multiple sources, while securely connecting to personal student data for a holistic view. Core capabilities include:
- Conversational Access: Ask about timetables, scholarships, accommodation, or assessment rubrics in plain English, receiving direct links and instructions.
- Task Automation: Enrol in classes (checking prerequisites automatically), submit assignments, or update schedules in real-time.
- Proactive Interventions: Alerts for census dates, low engagement, or academic risks, with guided pathways to support services.
- Analytics Insights: Universities gain predictive forecasting on demand patterns, aiding resource allocation.
Delivered as a branded app per institution, Guide ensures equitable access, levelling the playing field for diverse student cohorts in New Zealand, where Māori and Pasifika learners often face additional barriers.
Addressing Student Support Challenges in Kiwi Universities
New Zealand's tertiary sector grapples with high student expectations for personalised support amid funding pressures and a widening AI skills gap. A KPMG study reveals 76% of Kiwis lack AI training, with trust in AI at just 34%. Universities like the University of Auckland have piloted their own AI assistants for 24/7 queries, but fragmented systems persist, leading to frustration.
Guide tackles these head-on by reducing administrative friction—students spend less time navigating portals—and empowering staff with insights. Recent TechnologyOne visits to University of Otago and Lincoln University highlighted integration with their timetabling tools, enhancing the student-staff experience. With NZ universities like Otago already using TechnologyOne Financials, Guide builds on existing StudentOne deployments for seamless rollout.
For more on career opportunities in NZ higher ed, explore our New Zealand university jobs section.
Benefits for Students: Personalised, Proactive Pathways
Students benefit from a 'digital companion' that anticipates needs. During high-stress periods like exams, Guide reminds of deadlines, explains rubrics, and links submissions. For at-risk learners, it flags financial aid or mental health services early, potentially boosting retention rates. In diverse NZ contexts, where 25% of students identify as Māori or Pasifika, Guide's equitable design ensures culturally sensitive, accessible support without paywalls.
- 24/7 availability reduces isolation for remote or part-time learners.
- Voice/text flexibility suits varying digital literacies.
- Privacy-focused: Data stays within secure university ecosystems.
Empowering University Staff and Institutions
For administrators, Guide provides a unified dashboard of student interactions, revealing trends like peak query times or underserved services. This predictive analytics helps with staffing and budgeting. Staff using companion tool Plus gain efficiency, focusing on high-value interactions. TechnologyOne CEO Ed Chung notes: "Guide changes how work gets done... helping resolve issues faster without friction."
In NZ, where TEC budget cuts loom, Guide's ad-funded model offers revenue sharing, sustaining services amid fiscal squeezes. Check higher ed career advice for roles in AI-enhanced student services.
Seamless Integration with StudentOne and ERP Systems
Guide requires StudentOne on 2026B release or later, plugging into ERP for end-to-end actions. It syncs data from HR, finance, and scheduling, enabling holistic support. For NZ unis already on TechnologyOne—like those trialling scheduling—migration is straightforward, with core features live in days.
Security, Ethics, and Responsible AI in Practice
Prioritising safety, Guide adheres to ISO 42001:2023 (first global AI management standard), with Defence in Depth architecture, bias testing, human-in-the-loop oversight, and penetration checks. This addresses NZ concerns over AI equity, ensuring fair outcomes for all students.Learn more on TechnologyOne's site.
Commercial Model and Rollout Timeline
Guide launches commercially in May 2026, with full availability September 2026. Options include SaaS or pioneering ad-funded model (contextual, non-intrusive ads shared with unis). Early adopters in AU/NZ/UK will refine features iteratively.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook for NZ Higher Ed
As NZ universities navigate AI literacy gaps and student wellbeing crises, Guide exemplifies proactive tech integration. AUT's AI Taskforce and national symposia underscore readiness, but tools like this bridge gaps. Expect wider adoption, boosting retention and satisfaction. For jobs in this evolving space, visit higher ed jobs, university jobs, rate my professor, and higher ed career advice.
TechnologyOne's Guide heralds a personalised, efficient future for Kiwi students, aligning with global trends while addressing local needs.
