Power bills are one of the biggest household costs in New Zealand, and the gap between the cheapest and dearest plan for the same home can be hundreds of dollars a year. Pick your city, choose low or standard user and tell us how much power you use, and we’ll rank plans from Mercury, Genesis, Meridian, Octopus, Electric Kiwi, Powershop and Nova by estimated yearly cost. Every price includes GST, daily charges and the Electricity Authority levy.
Estimates include GST and use each retailer’s published prices for a sample address in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin. Prices at your address can differ because they depend on your local lines company, meter and plan. Always check the final price on the retailer’s site before you switch.
Prices are collected from retailers’ own websites and refreshed every week. The date of the last update is shown above the results.
NZGG may earn a commission when you sign up through some retailer links. Featured plans are chosen by NZGG and may be from providers that pay us a commission. All other plans are ranked by the sort option you choose.
Who has the cheapest power in New Zealand?
There’s no single cheapest power company for everyone. A couple in a Wellington apartment, a family in a Hamilton weatherboard and a heat-pump-heavy house in Dunedin will each get a different winner, because the ranking depends on how much power you use, when you use it and which lines network you’re on. The results above re-sort as soon as you change your details.
If you use relatively little power, a low daily charge matters most. If you heat with a heat pump through winter, run a spa pool or charge an EV, the price per kWh (and any cheaper night or off-peak rate) makes the bigger difference.
Low user or standard user: which are you?
Most retailers still offer two versions of each plan. A low user plan has a cheaper daily charge but a higher price per kWh. A standard user plan has a higher daily charge and a lower price per kWh.
The usual guide is that you’re a low user if your home uses less than 8,000 kWh a year, or less than 9,000 kWh a year in the lower South Island (Christchurch and further south, not including the West Coast). Your bill or online account shows your usage for the last 12 months.
The rules that created low user plans are being phased out. The cap on the low user daily charge has risen each April since 2022 and is $2.07 a day including GST from 1 April 2026. Retailers no longer have to offer low user plans from 1 April 2027, so expect low and standard plans to look more alike over the next year.
How NZ power prices work
Every power plan has two main parts:
- Daily charge – a fixed amount for every day you’re connected, whether you use power or not.
- Price per kWh – what you pay for each unit of power you use. Some plans have one price all day. Others have cheaper night, off-peak or weekend rates.
Part of every bill goes to your local lines company, which owns the poles and wires on your street. Different lines companies charge different amounts, so the same retailer can charge different prices in Auckland and Christchurch. That’s why we ask for your city before ranking plans.
Anytime, day/night and time-of-use plans
An anytime plan charges the same price per kWh whenever you use power, so it’s simple and works for most homes. Day/night and time-of-use plans charge less at night or off-peak and more at peak times. They need a smart meter, and they suit homes that can move heavy use like EV charging, hot water, dishwashers and washing machines into cheaper hours.
Some plans also give you free or very cheap hours each day. These can be good value if you can use plenty of power during those hours, but compare the peak rate too. If most of your use falls at peak times, a simple anytime plan may still be cheaper.
Use your own bill for a sharper estimate
The usage presets above are a good starting point, but your own numbers give a much better ranking. Your bill or app shows how many kWh you used over the year. If you only have one month, multiply that month’s kWh by 12. If it’s a winter bill, the result will be on the high side.
How to switch power company
Switching in New Zealand is simple:
- Choose a plan and sign up with the new retailer. Have your address and ideally your ICP number (it’s on your bill) handy.
- The new retailer arranges the switch with your current one. You don’t need to cancel your old account yourself.
- Pay your final bill from the old retailer once the switch is complete.
Your power stays on the whole time because the lines and meter don’t change. Before you switch, check whether you’re on a fixed-term plan with an early exit fee, and whether you have prepaid credit or bundle discounts with your current provider.
Compare and save on your other bills
- Compare gas & LPG
- Compare prepaid mobile plans
- Compare SIM-only mobile plans
- Compare broadband plans
- Compare electric cars
Frequently asked questions
Who is the cheapest power company in NZ?
It depends on where you live, how much power you use and when you use it. Enter your city and usage in the comparison above to see which plan is cheapest for your home.
Are the prices shown including GST?
Yes. All rates and estimated yearly costs include GST, daily charges and the Electricity Authority levy.
What is a low user power plan?
A low user plan has a lower daily charge and a higher price per kWh. It usually suits homes using under 8,000 kWh a year, or under 9,000 kWh in the lower South Island. Retailers no longer have to offer low user plans from 1 April 2027.
Why are power prices different in each city?
Each region has its own lines company, and lines charges make up a big part of your bill. That’s why the same retailer can charge different prices in different cities.
Will my power go off when I switch?
No. Switching only changes who sends your bill. The lines, meter and power supply stay exactly the same.
How often are prices updated?
We check retailers’ published prices every week. The last update date is shown above the results.
