Auckland
Kate Riley
Business Systems Consultant | Custom Internal Business Apps
Hire a Backend Developer in New Zealand
Ship secure, maintainable server systems that scale with your business; work with developers experienced in APIs, databases and cloud platforms.
Taupo
Brett Ransley
Senior Full-stack Developer & CMS Expert (Joomla & WordPress)
Tauranga
Stuart Farquhar
Full Stack Software Developer
Auckland
Michelle Abbas
Full Stack Web Developer
Wellington
Jake Fulton
AI Engineer
Queenstown/Wanaka
Dan Roberts
Strategic Design, Web Development, Branding
What this service is for
What can a backend developer help you build?
Backend developers design and run the server-side systems that power your website or app — APIs, databases, authentication and integrations — so your product works reliably, securely and handles real user demand.
Integrate accounts and payments
Connect your systems with Xero, Stripe or other services to automate invoicing, billing and financial reconciliation.
Automate internal workflows
Replace manual data entry and spreadsheets with backend services that move data between systems and trigger business processes.
Scale and modernise systems
Improve performance, add APIs, or migrate legacy applications so your product supports more users and new features.
How Unicorn Factory works
A simple way to find the right freelancer.
Create one project brief, compare applications from relevant freelancers, and choose who you would like to meet.
Step 01
Tell us what you need.
Use the guided brief to explain the outcome, timing, budget, and context. You do not need to prepare a technical specification.
Freelancers in our network
Browse example developer profiles
Below are example profiles from our network to show the kind of experience available. To hire, create a project brief, relevant freelancers apply, the business reviews applications, and Unicorn Factory makes warm introductions. Add project requirements to get tailored applications.
Tell us about your projectKate
Business Systems Consultant | Custom Internal Business Apps
Auckland
Design & Creative
Brett
Senior Full-stack Developer & CMS Expert (Joomla & WordPress)
Taupo
Software & App Development
Stuart
Full Stack Software Developer
Tauranga
Software & App Development
Michelle
Full Stack Web Developer
Auckland
Websites & Web Development
Ideas for your brief
Backend projects you can hire for
Three practical engagement types clients commonly brief to handle business problems, with typical deliverables you can ask for in your brief.
Custom API and third‑party integrations
Expose a secure API and integrate with external services so your app and accounting, payment or CRM systems share data reliably.
- Design and implement REST or GraphQL API endpoints and authentication (OAuth2 / API keys)
- Integration code for one or more services (for example: Xero, Stripe, Shopify or a CRM)
- Webhook handlers and retry/error handling for reliable data transfer
- API documentation, basic tests and deployment scripts
Migrate or modernise a legacy system
Move an ageing application to a modern stack or refactor bottlenecks to reduce outages and maintenance effort.
- Architecture assessment and migration plan with risks and steps to minimise downtime
- Data migration scripts and verification checks
- Rewritten services or microservice extraction for critical areas
- CI/CD setup and deployment automation (e.g. Docker, cloud pipelines)
Internal tools, automation and reporting
Build business dashboards, admin endpoints and background jobs that reduce manual tasks and surface reliable metrics.
- Database schema and backend services to collect and store operational data
- Secure admin/API endpoints for internal workflows
- Background job setup for scheduled tasks and notifications
- Delivery of exports/reports, and integration with BI or dashboard tools
Proof lives in the work
Related work from our network
Here are real projects from our network that relate to backend development, integrations and migrations. View the case cards below for concise summaries of each project.
See Backend Development Projects
Software & App Development
Genie 2 Mobile App Development for Syrp Motion Control
- Frontend Development
- API & Systems Integration
- Backend Development
Tom Friml
eCommerce
Diagnosing and fixing a broken Shopify product pipeline
- API & Systems Integration
- eCommerce Store Build & Redesign
- Shopify
Finn Greig
Software & App Development
B2B services marketplace launch
- Frontend Development
- API & Systems Integration
- SaaS Development
Finn Greig
Websites & Web Development
Building the refreshed Keith Andrews with Next.js and DatoCMS
- Frontend Development
- Website Development
- API & Systems Integration
Jake FultonPricing guidance
How much does backend development cost?
Indicative NZ$ ranges to help you budget. Final scope, deliverables and the chosen freelancer’s rates determine the actual cost.
Small task or single integration
A discrete API endpoint, a single third‑party integration or a small automation script agreed and delivered to a clear brief.
NZ$1,500–6,000
Medium project
Multiple integrations, a small backend for a web app, or a migration of a single service with testing and deployment.
NZ$6,000–30,000
Large platform or full backend
Bespoke backend for a production SaaS or complex multi‑service migration that includes architecture, data migration and ongoing operational setup.
NZ$30,000–150,000+
What affects the price
- Complexity — number of integrations, data volume and business rules to implement
- Security and compliance needs — authentication, encryption, audits or industry rules
- Infrastructure and hosting — cloud services, managed databases or specialist DevOps work
- Ongoing support — whether you want handover documentation, monitoring, or an ongoing maintenance agreement
Estimates are indicative, may exclude GST and ongoing software or platform fees. Final scope and rates are agreed directly with the freelancer — request a tailored quote after you post your brief.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions before you hire.
Answers to the questions clients commonly ask before starting a brief.
Still deciding what you need?
Start with the outcome and the context you already have. A polished specification is not required.
How long will a backend project take?
Timelines depend on scope — a small integration can take days, a medium project weeks, and large platform work months. Ask applicants for an estimated delivery timeframe when you review applications.
Should I pick a local NZ developer or an overseas freelancer?
Local developers can make in‑person meetings and NZ accounting integrations easier, but overseas talent can be cost‑effective. Choose based on timezone, legal/regulatory needs and communication preferences.
Can you build Xero integrations?
Yes — many backend developers build Xero integrations using Xero’s API and OAuth2. If your project requires Xero, include that explicitly in the brief so applicants confirm experience.
How do I check a freelancer’s trustworthiness?
Review project examples, ask for references or code samples, check public profiles and confirm IP, security and data handling expectations in your brief before hiring.
What about hosting, backups and maintenance?
Decide whether the freelancer will hand over deployment instructions or provide ongoing support. Hosting, backups and monitoring are typically separate costs or an agreed ongoing arrangement.
Ready to get moving?
Ready to hire a backend developer?
Create a short brief describing the problem, integrations and timeline. Relevant developers will apply and Unicorn Factory will make warm introductions.