Hi, I’m Christine Abela, based in Timaru, New Zealand.
Technology has been part of my life since the early 1980s, when I completed a university computing degree at a time when very few women entered the IT industry. Since then, I have worked as a programmer, systems analyst, website developer, online marketer and business consultant, helping businesses use technology more effectively to improve the way they operate.
Over the past 40+ years, I have watched technology change dramatically, from early business computer systems through to the internet, eCommerce, online marketing, Artificial Intelligence and automation. One thing has stayed the same though. Small business owners still need practical advice, clear systems and the right tools to help their businesses grow without creating more stress and complexity.
Today, much of my work focuses on helping business owners in New Zealand, Australia and the USA improve their businesses using AI, automation and smart systems. Through Gecko Gully and Oxygen8 Business Consulting, I help businesses save time, improve customer follow-up, generate more enquiries and create better processes behind the scenes.
Many businesses already have software in place, but the systems often don’t work together properly. Staff end up manually moving information between platforms, following up customers inconsistently, or spending too much time on repetitive admin work. I help identify these bottlenecks and implement practical solutions that make day-to-day operations smoother and more profitable.
That work can include:
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AI and automation strategy
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Website development and AI-friendly SEO
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Online estimate tools
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CRM and lead follow-up systems
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Automated marketing workflows
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Content marketing and AI-assisted content creation
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Business systems and process improvement
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Video SEO and online visibility
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Custom tools and integrations
I also work as a business consultant through Oxygen8 Business Consulting, helping business owners work on their businesses rather than getting trapped working only in them. This includes business planning, systems, profitability, accountability and long-term strategy, alongside the technical and automation side of the business.
Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of businesses across a wide range of industries. Many of my clients are small business owners who are excellent at what they do, but feel overwhelmed by technology, marketing or the constant pressure of running a growing business. My role is often to simplify things, identify what matters most and help them put systems in place that actually work in the real world.
I also bring experience from running my own businesses, including Gecko Gully, which began many years ago in the quilting and craft industry before evolving into a broader technology, AI and business systems company.
These days, my focus is helping businesses use technology in smarter ways, not simply adding more tools for the sake of it. AI and automation should support the business owner, save time and improve results, rather than create confusion or extra work.